CHRISTMAS DAY 75

THE CHRISTMAS DINNER 117

[Illustration]

[Illustration: LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS]

DESIGNED BY RANDOLPH CALDECOTT,

AND

ARRANGED AND ENGRAVED BY J. D. COOPER.

THE OLD MANSION BY MOONLIGHT--_Frontispiece._

TITLE-PAGE.

PAGE

ANCIENT FIREPLACE iv

HEADING TO PREFACE v

HEADING TO CONTENTS vii

TAILPIECE TO CONTENTS vii

HEADING TO LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ix

TAILPIECE TO LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS xiv

"THE POOR FROM THE GATES WERE NOT CHIDDEN" xvi

HEADING TO CHRISTMAS 1

THE MOULDERING TOWER 2

CHRISTMAS ANTHEM IN CATHEDRAL 4

THE WANDERER'S RETURN 5

"NATURE LIES DESPOILED OF EVERY CHARM" 6

"THE HONEST FACE OF HOSPITALITY" 8

"THE SHY GLANCE OF LOVE" 8

OLD HALL OF CASTLE 10

THE GREAT OAKEN GALLERY 12

THE WAITS 14

"AND SIT DOWN DARKLING AND REPINING" 16

THE STAGE COACH 19

THE THREE SCHOOLBOYS 20

THE OLD ENGLISH STAGE COACHMAN 23

"HE THROWS DOWN THE REINS WITH SOMETHING OF AN AIR" 25

THE STABLE IMITATORS 26

THE PUBLIC HOUSE 28

THE HOUSEMAID 29

THE SMITHY 30

"NOW OR NEVER MUST MUSIC BE IN TUNE" 32

THE COUNTRY MAID 32

THE OLD SERVANT AND BANTAM 34

A NEAT COUNTRY SEAT