bout our Coal Fire, or Christmas Entertainments," published in 1740,
and "illustrated with many diverting cuts." We quote the following
extracts:--

PROLOGUE.

I.

"O you merry, merry souls,
Christmas is a coming,
We shall have flowing Bowls,
Dancing, piping, drumming.

II.

"Delicate minced Pies,
To feast every Virgin,
Capon and Goose likewise,
Brawn and a dish of Sturgeon.

III.

"Then for your Christmas Box,
Sweet Plumb-cakes and money,
Delicate Holland Smocks,
Kisses sweet as Honey.

IV.

"Hey for the Christmas Ball,
Where we shall be jolly,
Jigging short and tall,
Kate, Dick, Ralph, and Molly.

V.

"Then to the Hop we'll go,
Where we'll jig and caper,
Maidens all-a-row,
Will shall pay the Scraper.

VI.

"Hodge shall dance with Prue,
Keeping Time with Kisses
We'll have a jovial Crew,
Of sweet smirking Misses.

[Illustration: THE CHRISTMAS MUMMERS.]

"First acknowledging the sacredness of the Holy Time of _Christmas_, I
proceed to set forth the Rejoicings which are generally made at that
great Festival.

"You must understand, good People, that the manner of celebrating this
great Course of Holydays is vastly different now to what it was in
former days: There was once upon a time Hospitality in the land; an
_English_ gentleman at the opening of the great Day, had all his
Tenants and Neighbours enter'd his Hall by Day-break, the strong Beer
was broach'd, and the Black Jacks went plentifully about with Toast,
Sugar, Nutmeg, and good Cheshire Cheese; the Rooms were embower'd with
Holly, Ivy, Cypress, Bays, Laurel, and Missleto, and a bouncing
_Christmas_ Log in the Chimney glowing like the cheeks of a country
Milk-maid; then was the pewter as bright as _Clarinda_, and every bit
of Brass as polished as the most refined Gentleman; the Servants were
then running here and there, with merry Hearts and jolly Countenances;
every one was busy welcoming of Guests, and look'd as smug as
new-lick'd Puppies; the Lasses as blithe and buxom as the maids in
good Queen _Bess's_ Days, when they eat Sir-Loins of Roast Beef for
Breakfast; _Peg_ would scuttle about to make a Toast for _John_, while
_Tom_ run _harum scarum_ to draw a Jug of Ale for _Margery_: Gaffer
_Spriggins_ was bid thrice welcome by the 'Squire, and Gooddy _Goose_
did not fail of a smacking Buss from his Worship while his Son and
Heir did the Honours of the House: in a