Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1852-01-26
MISCELLANEOUS.
Diclkcns's Christmas Story
What CHRISTMAS rs, as ace ,groU Older.
BY tisARtEs DICKENS.

w Huf CHItSfHuS rs, as Uc ,9TOW OfucT.
BY tKhRtEs DICKENS.
TThe fondon Meas says of the follow
ing, that it is one of the tcndcrcst and most
pathetic fancies Dickens have ever given
forth.
Time was, with most of us, when
Christmas Day cncircling all our limited
world like a magic ring, left nothing out
for us to miss or seek; bound together all
our home enjoyments. affections, and
hopes; grouped every thing and every one
around the Christmas fire; and made the
little picture shining in our bright young
eyes, complete.
Time came, perhaps, all soon! when our
thoughts overlcaped that narrow bounda-
ry; when there was some one (vcry dear,
we thought then. very beautiful, and ab-
solutely pcrftc wanting to the iullness Of
our happiness; when we were wanting too
(or we thought so, which did just as well.)
at the Christians hearth by which that
some one sat; and when we intertwined
with every wreath and garland Of our life
that some ones name.
That was the time fer the bright visio-
nary Chiistmases which have long arisen
from US to show family, after summer ram,
in the palest edges of the rainLow! That
was the time for the beautiful enjoyment
of the things that were to be, and never
were, and yet the things that were SO real
in our resolute hope that it would be hard
10 say, now. what realities achieved since,
have been stronger.
What! Did that ChriJffes never really
come when we and the pricclcys pearl
who was our young choice were recev. d,
after the happiest Of totally impossible
marriages, by the two united families pre-.
viously at Jaggers drawn on oer account!
When brothers and sisters in law AvIro had
always been rather cool to US before our
relationship was effected, perfectly dotted
on us, and when fathers and mothers over.
whclmed US with unlimited incomesl-
Was that Christmas dinner never really
eaten, after which we arose. and generous
ly and eloquently rendered honor to our
late rival, present in the company, then
and there exchanging friendship and for
giveness, and founding an attachment, not
to be surpassed in Greek or Roman story,
which subsistcd until deathl Has that
same rival long ceased 10 care for that same
priceless pearl. and married for money
and become dsuriousl Above all do we
really know, now. that we should proba-
bly, have been miserable X n-e hnd won
and worn the pearl, and that we are better
without herl
That Christmas when we had recently
achieved SO much fame; when we had
been carried in triumph somewhere, for
doing something great and good; when we
mad wonTn honored and cnnobled name,
and arrived and wcrc received at home
in shower of ieers 'ofjoy; is it possible
that that Christmas has not come .yet!
And is our life here, at the best, so COZ \
sti,uted that. pausing as we advance at
such noticeable mile stone in the track as
this great birthday, we look back on the
things that never were, as naturally and
full as gravely on as the things that have
been and are gone, or have been and still
are? IF it be so, and so it seems to be.
must we come to the conclusion, that life
10 oeteet tbdH uiedtu, anu fs-tie WOTtH tue
loves and strivings that We crowd into III
No! Far be such miscallcd philosophy
from US. dear reader, on Christmas &ayi
Nearer and closer to our hearts be the
Christmas spirit, which is the spirit of ac-
tive usefulness, perseverance. cheerful dis
charge of duty, kindness, and forbearance!
1t is IN the last virtues especially, that we
are, or should be, strengthened by the un-
accomplished visions of our youth; for,
who shall say that they are pst our teachers
to deal gently even with the impalpabIe
nothings Of the earth.
Therefore. ss we grow older. se us be
more thankful vsars the circle Of our Ckrist-
mas associations and E the lessons that
they hrng, expanda Lctas ~cicomeeNs-