Litchfield enquirer., 1843-12-21
CHRISTINA s.
,oul Roberi .1lerr.Ra .Llilse,.,n for De

Sr"sSt.Ss
This famous holiday takes place on the 25th of
December. tits little observed at the prcsentd
in comparison Of what it was in former times
Even in England, it is now chiefly celebrated by
family parties and services in the churches, these
being decorated with evergreens In this country,
iii little noticed except by persons belonging eli
ther To the Catholic or Episcopal church. TN
In former times it was otherwise, especially in
England. The day was then celebrated, in that
country, by q great variety Of merry customs 1t
was very common in those days, for persons called
munniers, topromenade the, streets, dressed up in
masks, and representing fantastic characters. A
group Of these testers would sometimes go about,
Representing Old Father Christmas. with a long
beard, white shoes, high-crowned hat, with scarfs
and garters tied around it, and drum beating be-
fore him. Aas@ ss,8 rs r
He was attended by q numerous family Of chill
dren, among whom Roast Beef, Plum Pudding,
&C., were conspicuous. There was another char
acter in this group, called misrule, who was a
great rowdy, and made vast deal of sport on
these. occasions. He was great fat fellow, with
an enormous hat, and he strutted forward playing
on musical instrument. These makers went
from place to place, during Christmas, exciting y
great deal Of mirth and amusement wherever they
went. "a. IS tetgs ss Fast al ,ss pa ",
As Christmas 10 the anniversary Of the birth Of
our Saviour, we cannot much propriety in these
amusements, and we think it il well that they
have passed away. There was another custom,
that Of singing Christmas carols, which is also laid
aside. N 53t At a fss s85f sH6t X
about from house to house, on Christmas eve,
singing their songs in honor Of the Virgin. Mary,
and che nativity of Christ. They were generally
welcomed BY the people, and often received loaf
of brown bread pot of beer, and some silver PEN
mics. Sometimes, late at night, by the chill rays
Of the moon, you would see an old man and boy
carroling beneath the windows, hoping to be CONE
pensated for their harsh and grating music.
Many other Of the Christian ceremonies of Eng
land which were in vogue two centuries ago, have
passed away, and the occasion 10 more quietly and
more properly noticed BY religious seryices, acts
of charity to the poor, o meeting Of friends, and
general diffusion Of cheesfulness and festivity %N
MATTERS AND THINGS AT WASHINGTON
We have reason to believe that the political wa
tiers at Washington afe not so entirely calm and
t'oily" as some Of the Van Buren, papers would
represent We hear reports that various uncom-
Portable and somewhat dangerous eddies and ander-
currents are being put in motion that will serious "
endanger the Van Duran craff. Anew weeks will
develope the operation an effect of the "cOtsnter
eiuvenfs upon each other. " at ~
The rumoF that Mr.. Calhoun's nane was to be
withdrawn from the list Of candidates for the next
PREsIDENcY, which has been afaoat for some days
passed, has called out Bulletin from the ". York
Daily Gazette, Mr. Calhouns organ in that city, in
which it in stated that they know Mr. Calhonnsin-
tentions better than his Van Buren, defaners, that
no apprehemsons need be entertained Of acith
rGsuiag from he cosstest-that the difference be-
tween the Van Burenites and Calhoun's friends are
growing wider and g stronger from hour to hour"--
and that il Mr. Calhoun should conclude hereafter
10 withdraw, xzIs FRIENDS viii announce the fact
snd not leave it for his enemies to do.
Hartford Josg7sai.
Mr.. Clay presided at Religious Discussion. Q
few days since! It Is not stated whether he had
his duelling pistols and his wel-used pack ofcsrds
with him. Most probably he had not. ~ ever Re
may have heard that religious people have presds-
ees against such things. Concord Freeman.
The choice Of Mr.. Clay to preside IT such NEE
ting BY his neghbors is unerring evidence OF hrs
worth As moral man; and the writing Of such
paragraphs as the above printed and circulated in
Loco papers in New Englands to poison the public
mind against one Of the greatest and best men in
the country, is pitahle proof that there is class
af men who prostitute their own sense Of Justice,
snd sanfilcs al that isnohle and generous IN our
nsfuTs -Kssssl CssTiw. ee
= nnxaz1cAx MovEBEEND IN NonrR CARoLrNA.
AT Whig state Convention. held &C Raleigh,
IN Norsh Carolina, last week, the Hon. VIM. A.
Graham, lain . Senator Of the United Slsfes, was
ncrainatod = the candidate Tor Governor 0f that
stats e ne cleetion b Be held next summer.
The Hon. George r. Badger and ex.GoveEnor
ElMuFd B. Dudleys wese appointed BY the Con-
xonlicA 4 \. N&Io1nt14 q FsREeeepe tha elnle 81
IS i4 - &11l1Hf<9