s their Ancestors used to do and I wish them
a merry _Christmas_ accordingly. I must also take notice to the stingy
Tribe, that if they don't at least make their Tenants or Tradesmen
drink when they come to see them in the Christmas Holydays, they have
Liberty of retaliating which is a Law of very ancient Date.

"A merry Gentleman of my Acquaintance desires I will insert, that the
old Folks in Days of yore kept open House at _Christmas_ out of
Interest; for then, says he, they receive the greatest Part of their
Rent in Kind; such as Wheat, Barley or Malt, Oxen, Calves, Sheep,
Swine, Turkeys, Capon, Geese, and such like; and they not having Room
enough to preserve their Grain, or Fodder enough to preserve their
Cattle or Poultry, nor Markets to sell off the Overplus, they were
obliged to use them in their own Houses; and by treating the People of
the Country, gained Credit amongst them, and riveted the Minds and
Goodwill of their Neighbours so firmly in them, that no one durst
venture to oppose them. The 'Squire's Will was done whatever came on
it; for if he happened to ask a Neighbour what it was a Clock, they
returned with a low Scrape, it is what your Worship pleases.

"The Dancing and Singing of the Benchers in the great Inns of Court in
_Christmas_, is in some sort founded upon Interest; for they hold, as
I am informed, some Priviledge by Dancing about the Fire in the middle
of their Hall, and singing the Song of _Round about our Coal Fire_,
&c.

"This time of year being cold and frosty generally speaking, or when
Jack-Frost commonly takes us by the Nose, the Diversions are within
Doors, either in Exercise or by the Fire-side.

"Country-Dancing is one of the chief Exercises....

"Then comes Mumming or Masquerading, when the 'Squire's Wardrobe is
ransacked for Dresses of all Kinds, and the coal-hole searched
around, or corks burnt to black the Faces of the Fair, or make
Deputy-Mustaches, and every one in the Family except the 'Squire
himself must be transformed from what they were....

"Or else there is a Match at _Blind-Man's-Buff_, and then it is lawful
to set anything in the way for Folks to tumble over....

"As for _Puss in the Corner_, that is a very harmless Sport, and one
may romp at it as much as one will....

"The next game to this is _Questions and Commands_, when the Commander
may oblige his Subject to answer any lawful Question, and make the
same obey him instantly, under the penalty of being smu