The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-01-05
CORRESPONDENTS.

| DEAR SR-You will perceive that " Christmas
is the date Of my letter. II any Of your readers
far in advance of the age to require the day of
the month on which Merry Christmas gently steals
into the social circle, let him or her eschew me and
my epistles / put not on my spectaces, nib my
goose quill hate innovation, and steel pens my
abhorrence,) and arrange my calygraphic instru-
ments in order for them. The ring of their metal
is not music for my ears. love old friends old
customs, old wines and old ditties Your new fan
| gled mode OF stationing company Of Juveniles
around the walls of gaudy decorated parlor where
every motion is guided by square and compass, and
every look marshalled in military form" eyes right
and dress" is not to my taste. No! MIR. Madisonian
those who aspire TO my confidence must, on Christ
mas day, encourage the risible propenstes of all
within their circle. They must be right merry fe-
lows who can slap you and yours on the back
drink pint OF cider at a draught-eat doughnuts by
the dozen-and when duly required to salute the
loyeier portion of the company, step forward like
men and do II with grace and dignity. None Of
your counterfeit kisses, but regular old fashioned
smack Of the lips which bears witness that the thing
is done honestly and to the purpose. We, of the
oden time, are, after all the only specimens of the
genus homo worth preserving. Were it not for us
every thing would be but half performed.
| The modern char.atans who profess to teach the
art and mystery of doing every thing in sir lessons
throw society into confusion until anciens step
in and by dint Of mental and bodily labor undo all
that has been done to spoil the rising generation.
The only melancholy "reminiscences in my history
associated with the idea that we old ones" must
one day or other drop off, like ripe fruit, and leave
| the Railroad car--steam engine-meet in minute
generation to their fate Methinks l see them now
fitting like shadows along life's thoroughfare-
catching gmpses of happiness which lost in the
distance, and leaving gigantic enterprises and
mighty conceptions like the ruins of ancient temples
in fragments behind them. How can it be other
wise Can the man who is SO far gone as to insist
on travelling from Boston to New Orleans in forty
eight hours, hope 10 learn any thing of the country
through which he travels2 Are the habits and pc
cuiarities of the popuaton-or the beauty of natu-
raj objects-or the variety and value of the produc-
lions of the soil be gathered while the traveller is
whizzing along at so alarming rate2 The things
impossible. The only ideas that can be brought into
birth in such state of society, must be eccentric
and disjoned-wild, incoherent and scattering,
| without point or aim
Farewell calm meditation and sober reflection
farewell the placid smile and quiet enjoyment Were
it not Christmas, would make your heart grow
warmish and bring the tears into your eyes-albeit
not used to the melting mood-but forbear. Let US
grasp the present hours while yet crowned with
roses, nor mourn the day when their bloom will
have faded. These holiday times bear on their
wings more substantial blessings than have limited
at They revive worn out attachments and cement
The ties of friendship and affection. Yon maiden
whose cheeks glow with health and whose eyes
sparkle with intelligence and good humor, will greet
her lover with sentiments of reciprocal esteem which
would De Velled at any other period of the year
Gan she hesitate on Christmas day-when the heart
opens like rosebud to the sunshine which beams
IRON the countenances of all around her-can she
fail to respond to his ardent attachment
Take an old mans word for it, her faith is plight
cd, and before another merry Christmas the happy
couple will be one. To you southrons, our keen
norihwesters might bring colds and catahrrs-bu we
welcome old Boreas with smiles Like the ancient
heroes, he is frank, honest and undisguised and
neither friend nor enemy can mistake his intentions
We have had asght fall of snow which has caused
few-more eager than wise-to attempt reaching
Gates on runners.
These quixotc gentlemen eniven the scene BY
the ring Of their bells but the sport is equivocal.