Star.
London, England, 1808-12-30 00:00:00

CHRISTMAS WEEK.

Notwithstanding the hitherto acknowledged supe-
riority of the French nation in the article of pollen:eel,
it is allowed that the English are not much behind
them : but while this allowance is made, we are at
the same time told that it belongs only to the upper
and well educated classes of society, and that the lower,
the plebeian:, the domestics, and the people " whom
nobody knows," are made rebellious and unaccom-
modating.
It is difficult to characterise a whole nation.—
Whoever looks around him during the present season, ,
will have some reason to doubt whether the upper or
the under ranks are most civil ? Certain it is, that all
the outward signs and symptoms of civility and sub-
mission are now wonderfully apparent. Never surely
was precept better kept than—" Servants, obey your
masters in all things"—fir eight or ten days. Those
who do not feel it their duty, act the part like Rot-
ciuses in livery, and Siddonses in cotton gown:.
During this happy and good-humoured season,
even the very churches exhibit a politeness, which no-
thing but Christmas could inspire. No persons are
allowed to fatigue themselves by standing in the
aisles, while the pew-openers increase the solemnity
of the service by appearing in the humblest attitudes
of supplication, and the delicate extension of hand,
shews that next Sunday ought to be called Palm-
Sunday.
But the full effect of the season is, perhaps, more
visible at home—no occasion to ring the bell more
than once, and no disputes are heard as to whose bad-
ness it is to answer it ! The distance betwixt kitchen
and parlour appears to be shortened, and .no one sup-
pose: what is wanted before they go to inquire.
Early rising, considering how cold and dark the
mornings are, is practised with wonderful alacrity
and cheerfulness—a cheerfulness which is imparted to
the very fire, which blazes most comfortably as soon
as it is wanted.

The breakfast is got ready altogether. There is no
waiting for our toast when out tea is ready, and no
deficiency of water when our pot is exhausted. If a
friend or two drop in, it is not thought too much to go
for a supplemental roll, prepare some coffee, or boil
anNogtg e.
a saucy word in reply to a command, nor a
humph nor a hum to be heard. No half-oath: are
crumbled between the teeth, and none ready to be
:wallowed whole.

Dinner is served up to a minute, and done to a tittle.
Nothing is forgot—none of that lamentable want of
memory complained of at other times, and the usual
plea " I did not think of it," is discontinued.
Ccbweb: of three or four months standing are care-
fully removed, and our grates begin to look as bright
as mirrors. Scowering, cleaning, washing, scrub-
bing, and dusting—all performed by anticifiation.—
Every thing done before it is ordered, instead of a
month or six weeks after.
No delay in errands—graceful bows at the door,
which is opened and shut, as if it could not express
any passion !
NN' atchmm twirl the window pin: with most anxi.
ous cart, and can't bear the sight of a suspicious
person ; besides being perfectly awake every hour
and half hour.

Scavengers so attentive to their duty, that a full-
dressed lady may have as clean a tumble in the streets
as on her own carpet ; and the lamplighters so indif-
ferent to the trke of oil, that the streets exhibit a daz-
zling brightness.
In a word, such an universal politeness and civility
prevails among the unprivileged orders, that it would
appear they had studied the system of Chesterfield,
and practised in the school of Vestris.
About a week after the holidays, indeed, it must
be confessed there is ***** (hiatus valde dejlendus.)

Talk of this or that crisis ! What can ever be
equalled in the annals or State Lotteries, that which
stands at issue to-morrow—a crisis, in short, of three

20,0001. Prizes, and numerous other Capitals, on the
Fast day's drawing. It would be an insult to the spi-
ivited suitors of fortune to doubt their eagerness to
possess, this day, every Ticket and Share that is yet
attainable.
DISCOUNT ALLOWED ON LOTTERY SllARr.s.—Every
*Purchaser of Shares of Tickets, amounting to Five
Pounds and upWards, will be allowed a Discount,
at J. WARNER'S fortunate Office, 16, Cornhill, where
:capital Prizes to a large amount have been recentiii,
sold in Shares.—Only one more day to draw, and
the Wheel contains three £20,000, one £5,000, two
£l,OOO, three A 4500, &c. Saturday the last day 61
Drawing.

The snow storm which commenced on' Satttrday, _
has continued with increased severity during the Oa
week, and the snow now lies to a great depth, espe.
cially in the country, and more particularly in the
district of Buchan, where the communication is nearly
stopped.
The Sheriff, on a complaint lately brought before
him, at the instance of the Earl of FIFE and the Pro-
curator Fiscal, against a young man, for trespassing
'by shooting on his ground for several days, accom-
panied by two boil, and two pointer dogs ; and for
having by these means frightened a countryman's
horse so much, that he was thrown from his cart,
and very much bruised—fined the trespasser in the
statutory penalty ipi• 1001. Scots, together with the
expence of procesi and extract.