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of artificial flower…beds； clipped shrubberies； raised terraces； and
heavy stone balustrades； ornamented with urns； a leaden statue or two；
and a jet of water。 The old gentleman； I was told； was extremely
careful to preserve this obsolete finery in all its original state。 He
admired this fashion in gardening； it had an air of magnificence；
was courtly and noble； and befitting good old family style。 The
boasted imitation of nature in modern gardening had sprung up with
modern republican notions； but did not suit a monarchical
government； it smacked of the levelling system… I could not help
smiling at this introduction of politics into gardening； though I
expressed some apprehension that I should find the old gentleman
rather intolerant in his creed。… Frank assured me； however； that it
was almost the only instance in which he had ever heard his father
meddle with politics； and he believed that he had got this notion from
a member of parliament who once passed a few weeks with him。 The
squire was glad of any argument to defend his clipped yew…trees and
formal terraces； which had been occasionally attacked by modern
landscape gardeners。
As we approached the house； we heard the sound of music； and now and
then a burst of laughter； from one end of the building。 This；
Bracebridge said； must proceed from the servants' hall； where a
great deal of revelry was permitted； and even encouraged by the
squire； throughout the twelve days of Christmas； provided every
thing was done conformably to ancient usage。 Here were kept up the old
games of hoodman blind； shoe the wild mare； hot cockles； steal the
white loaf； bob apple； and snap dragon： the Yule clog and Christmas
candle were regularly burnt； and the mistletoe； with its white
berries； hung up； to the imminent peril of all the pretty housemaids。*
* The mistletoe is still hung up in farmhouses and kitchens at
Christmas； and the young men have the privilege of kissing the girls
under it； plucking each time a berry from the bush。 When the berries
are all plucked； the privilege ceases。
So intent were the servants upon their sports that we had to ring
repeatedly before we could make ourselves heard。 On our arrival
being announced； the squire came out to receive us； accompanied by his
two other sons； one a young officer in the army； home on leave of
absence； the other an Oxonian； just from the university。 The squire
was a fine healthy…looking old gentleman； with silver hair curling
lightly round an open florid countenance； in which the
physiognomist； with the advantage； like myself； of a previous hint
or two； might discover a singular mixture of whim and benevolence。
The family meeting was warm and affectionate： as the evening was far
advanced； the squire would not permit us to change our travelling
dresses； but ushered us at once to the company； which was assembled in
a large old…fashioned hall。 It was composed of different branches of a
numerous family connection； where there were the usual proportion of
old uncles and aunts； comfortable married dames； superannuated
spinsters； blooming country cousins； half…fledged striplings； and
bright…eyed boarding…school hoydens。 They were variously occupied；
some at a round game of cards； others conversing around the fireplace；
at one end of the hall was a group of the young folks； some nearly
grown up； others of a more tender and budding age； fully engrossed
by a merry game； and a profusion of wooden horses； penny trumpets； and
tattered dolls； about the floor； showed traces of a troop of little
fairy beings； who； having frolicked through a happy day； had been
carried off to slumber through a peaceful night。
While the mutual greetings were going on between young Bracebridge
and his relatives； I had time to scan the apartment。 I have called
it a hall； for so it had certainly been in old times； and the squire
had evidently endeavored to restore it to something of its primitive
state。 Over the heavy projecting fireplace was suspended a picture
of a warrior in armor； standing by a white horse； and on the
opposite wall hung a helmet； buckler； and lance。 At one end an
enormous pair of antlers were inserted in the wall； the branches
serving as hooks on which to suspend hats； whips； and spurs； and in
the corners of the apartment were fowling…pieces； fishing…rods； and
other sporting implements。 The furniture was of the cumbrous
workmanship of former days； though some articles of modern convenience
had been added； and the oaken floor had been carpeted； so that the
whole presented an odd mixture of parlor and hall。
The grate had been removed from the wide overwhelming fireplace；
to make way for a fire of wood； in the midst of which was an
enormous log glowing and blazing； and sending forth a vast volume of
light and heat： this I understood was the Yule clog； which the
squire was particular in having brought in and illumined on a
Christmas eve； according to an ancient custom。*
* The Yule clog is a great log of wood； sometimes the root of a
tree； brought into the house with great ceremony； on Christmas eve；
laid in the fireplace； and lighted with the brand of last year's clog。
While it lasted； there was great drinking； singing； and telling of
tales。 Sometimes it was accompanied by Christmas candles； but in the
cottages the only light was from the ruddy blaze of the great wood
fire。 The Yule clog was to burn all night； if it went out； it was
considered a sign of ill luck。
Herrick mentions it in one of his songs：…
Come； bring with a noise；
My merrie； merrie boyes；
The Christmas log to the firing；
While my good dame； she
Bids ye all be free；
And drink to your hearts desiring。
The Yule clog is still burnt in many farmhouses and kitchens in
England； particularly in the north； and there are several
superstitions connected with it among the peasantry。 If a squinting
person come to the house while it is burning； or a person
barefooted； it is considered an ill omen。 The brand remaining from the
Yule clog is carefully put away to light the next year's Christmas
fire。
It was really delightful to see the old squire seated in his
hereditary elbow chair； by the hospitable fireside of his ancestors；
and looking around him like the sun of a system； beaming warmth and
gladness to every heart。 Even the very dog that lay stretched at his
feet； as he lazily shifted his position and yawned； would look
fondly up in his master's face； wag his tail against the floor； and
stretch himself again to sleep； confident of kindness and
protection。 There is an emanation from the heart in genuine
hospitality which cannot be described； but is immediately felt； and
puts the stranger at once at his ease。 I had not been seated many
minutes by the comfortable hearth of the worthy old cavalier； before I
found myself as much at home as if I had been one of the family。
Supper was announced shortly after our arrival。 It was served up
in a spacious oaken chamber； the panels of whi