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sages of the Church； and enforcing them by the authorities of Theophilus of Cesarea； St。 Cyprian； St。 Chrysostom； St。 Augustine； and a cloud more of Saints and Fathers； from whom he made copious quotations。 I was a little at a loss to perceive the necessity of such a mighty array of forces to maintain a point which no one present seemed inclined to dispute； but I soon found that the good man had a legion of ideal adversaries to contend with； having； in the course of his researches on the subject of Christmas； got completely embroiled in the sectarian controversies of the Revolution； when the Puritans made such a fierce assault upon the ceremonies of the Church； and poor old Christmas was driven out of the land by proclamation of Parliament。* The worthy parson lived but with times past； and knew but a little of the present。
* See Note C。
Shut up among worm…eaten tomes in the retirement of his antiquated little study； the pages of old times were to him as the gazettes of the day； while the era of the Revolution was mere modern history。 He forgot that nearly two centuries had elapsed since the fiery persecution of poor mince…pie throughout the land； when plum… porridge was denounced as 〃mere popery；〃 and roast beef as antichristian； and that Christmas had been brought in again triumphantly with the merry court of King Charles at the Restoration。 He kindled into warmth with the ardour of his contest； and the host of imaginary foes with whom he had to combat； had a stubborn conflict with old Prynne and two or three other forgotten champions of the Round…heads； on the subject of Christmas festivity； and concluded by urging his hearers； in the most solemn and affecting manner； to stand to the traditionary customs of their fathers； and feast and make merry on this joyful anniversary of the Church。
I have seldom known a sermon attended apparently with more immediate effects； for； on leaving the church； the congregation seemed one and all possessed with the gaiety of spirit so earnestly enjoined by their pastor。 The elder folks gathered in knots in the churchyard； greeting and shaking hands； and the children ran about crying； Ule！ Ule！ and repeating some uncouth rhymes；* which the parson； who had joined us； informed me had been handed down from days of yore。 The villagers doffed their hats to the Squire as he passed； giving him the good wishes of the season with every appearance of heartfelt sincerity； and were invited by him to the Hall； to take something to keep out the cold of the weather； and I heard blessings uttered by several of the poor； which convinced me that； in the midst of his enjoyments； the worthy old cavalier had not forgotten the true Christmas virtue of charity。
* 〃Ule！ Ule！ Three puddings in a pule； Crack nuts and cry ule！〃
On our way homeward his heart seemed overflowing with generous and happy feelings。 As we passed over a rising ground which commanded something of a prospect； the sounds of rustic merriment now and then reached our ears； the Squire paused for a few moments； and looked around with an air of inexpressible benignity。 The beauty of the day was of itself sufficient to inspire philanthropy。 Notwithstanding the frostiness of the morning； the sun in his cloudless journey had acquired sufficient power to melt away the thin covering of snow from every southern declivity； and to bring out the living green which adorns an English landscape even in midwinter。 Large tracts of smiling verdure contrasted with the dazzling whiteness of the shaded slopes and hollows。 Every sheltered bank on which the broad rays rested yielded its silver rill of cold and limpid water； glittering through the dripping grass； and sent up slight exhalations to contribute to the thin haze that hung just above the surface of the earth。 There was something truly cheering in this triumph of warmth and verdure over the frosty thraldom of winter； it was； as the Squire observed； an emblem of Christmas hospitality； breaking through the chills of ceremony and selfishness； and thawing every heart into a flow。 He pointed with pleasure to the indications of good cheer reeking from the chimneys of the comfortable farmhouses and low； thatched cottages。 〃I love；〃 said he； 〃to see this day well kept by rich and poor； it is a great thing to have one day in the year； at least； when you are sure of being welcome wherever you go； and of having； as it were； the world all thrown open to you； and I am almost disposed to join with Poor Robin； in his malediction of every churlish enemy to this honest festival：
〃'Those who at Christmas do repine； And would fain hence despatch him； May they with old Duke Humphry dine； Or else may Squire Ketch catch 'em。'〃
The Squire went on to lament the deplorable decay of the games and amusements which were once prevalent at this season among the lower orders； and countenanced by the higher： when the old halls of castles and manor…houses were thrown open at daylight； when the tables were covered with brawn； and beef； and humming ale； when the harp and the carol resounded all day long； and when rich and poor were alike welcome to enter and make merry。* 〃Our old games and local customs；〃 said he； 〃had a great effect in making the peasant fond of his home； and the promotion of them； by the gentry made him fond of his lord。 They made the times merrier； and kinder； and better； and I can truly say； with one of our old poets：
〃'I like them wellthe curious preciseness And all…pretended gravity of those That seek to banish hence these harmless sports； Have thrust away much ancient honesty。'
* See Note D。
〃The nation；〃 continued he； 〃is altered； we have almost lost our simple； true…hearted peasantry。 They have broken asunder from the higher classes； and seem to think their interests are separate。 They have become too knowing； and begin to read newspapers； listen to alehouse politicians； and talk of reform。 I think one mode to keep them in good humour in these hard times would be for the nobility and gentry to pass more time on their estates； mingle more among the country people； and set the merry old English games going again。〃
Such was the good Squire's project for mitigating public discontent； and； indeed； he had once attempted to put his doctrine in practice； and a few years before had kept open house during the holidays in the old style。 The country people； however； did not understand how to play their parts in the scene of hospitality； many uncouth circumstances occurred； the manor was overrun by all the vagrants of the country； and more beggars drawn into the neighbourhood in one week than the parish officers could get rid of in a year。 Since then； he had contented himself with inviting the decent part of the neighbouring peasantry to call at the Hall on Christmas Day； and distributing beef； and bread； and ale； among the poor； that they might make merry in their own dwellings。
We had not been long home when the sound of music was heard from a distance。 A band of country lads； without coats； their shirt… sleeves fancifully tied with ribands； their hats decorated with greens； and clubs in their hands； were seen advanci