orted in fancy to the
fields of Bethlehem, and the song which was sung at that season, by
angels' voices to the shepherds."

In a sonnet sent to Coleridge, in 1797, Lamb says:--

"It were unwisely done, should we refuse
To cheer our path, as featly as we may--
Our lonely path to cheer, as travellers use,
With merry song, quaint tale, or roundelay.
And we will sometimes talk past troubles o'er,
Of mercies shown, and all our sickness heal'd,
And in His judgments God remembering love:
And we will learn to praise God evermore,
For those 'glad tidings of great joy,' reveal'd
By that sooth messenger, sent from above."

[Illustration: THE CHRISTMAS PLUM-PUDDING.
(_From an old print._)]

Writing to Southey, in 1798, Lamb tells the poet that Christmas is a
"glorious theme"; and addressing his "dear old friend and absentee,"
Mr. Manning, at Canton, on December 25, 1815, Lamb says:--"This is
Christmas Day, 1815, with us; what it may be with you I don't know,
the 12th of June next year perhaps; and if it should be the
consecrated season with you, I don't see how you can keep it. You have
no turkeys; you would not desecrate the festival by offering up a
withered Chinese bantam, instead of the savoury grand Norfolcian
holocaust, that smokes all around my nostrils at this moment from a
thousand firesides. Then what puddings have you? Where will you get
holly to stick in your churches, or churches to stick your dried
tea-leaves (that must be the substitute) in? Come out of Babylon, O my
friend."

[Illustration: ITALIAN MINSTRELS IN LONDON, AT CHRISTMAS, 1825.
(_From a sketch of that period._)]

"Ranged in a row, with guitars slung
Before them thus, they played and sung:
Their instruments and choral voice
Bid each glad guest still more rejoice;
And each guest wish'd again to hear
Their wild guitars and voices clear."[82]

THE CHRISTMAS GAMES

at the beginning of the nineteenth century include the old Christmas
game of _Forfeits_, for every breach of the rules of which the players
have to deposit some little article as a forfeit, to be redeemed by
some sportive penalty, imposed by the "Crier of the Forfeits" (usually
a bonnie lassie). The "crying of the forfeits" and paying of the
penalties creates much merriment, particularly when a bashful youth is
sentenced to "kiss through the fire-tongs" some beautiful romp of a
girl, who delights playing him tricks while the room rings with
laughte