a creative people, have peculiar and
varied ways of their own in keeping this, the most remarkable day in
the calendar. Now and then they add a supplemental form to the
accepted code--characteristic of the mutable and progressive spirit of
the people--though there still exists the Church service, the
conventional carol, the evergreen decorations, the plum-puddings, the
pantomime, and a score of other "demonstrations" that never can
legitimately be forgotten.

Society generally seems to apportion the day thus: Church in the
morning, dinner in the afternoon, and amusements in the evening. The
Christmas dinners concentrate the scattered members of families, who
meet together to break bread in social harmony, and exchange those
home sentiments that cement the happiness of kindred. To-day the
prodigal once more returns to the paternal roof; the spendthrift
forsakes his boon companions; the convivialist deserts the wine-cup.
The beautiful genius of domestic love has triumphed, and who can
foresee the blessed results?

Parties, balls, and fetes, with their endless routine of gaieties, are
looked forward to, as pleasures are, the wide world over; and all
classes, from highest to lowest, have their modes of enjoyment marked
out. Preparation follows preparation in festal succession. Sorrow
hides her Gorgon head, care may betake itself to any dreary recesses,
for Christmas must be a gala!

There is generally snow on the ground at this time; if Nature is
amiable, there is sure to be; and a Christmas sleigh-ride is one of
those American delights that defy rivalry. There is no withstanding
the merry chime of the bells and a fleet passage over the snow-skirted
roads. Town and country look as if they had arisen in the morning in
robes of unsullied white. Every housetop is spangled with the bright
element; soft flakes are coquetting in the atmosphere, and a pure
mantle has been spread on all sides, that fairly invites one to
disport upon its gleaming surface.

We abide quietly within our pleasant home on either the eve or night
of Christmas. How the sleighs glide by in rapid glee, the music of the
bells and the songs of the excursionists falling on our ears in very
wildness. We strive in vain to content ourselves. We glance at the
cheerful fire, and hearken to the genial voices around us. We
philosophise, and struggle against the tokens of merriment without;
but the restraint is torture. We, too, must join the revellers, and
have