Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1859-12-22
For Civilian Telegraph.
Joys and Attractions Of Christ
mas
By GRIP VAN DAMN" JR.

of action and energy-amid the cares, respoI
sibilties and anxieties which of necessity al
G tend the daily life of the individual man-hs
the whole disc of time been covered by the al
mighty dollar? Has man so far lost his mat
love of social enjoyment, MS to forcgo every op
portunity for its exercise? Most decidedly n
say
First, then, it must be admitted on all hands
that we have, during these latter times, mar
rowed down considerably the limits of tbes
pleasurable seasons. A reference to the chrOD
icled social life Of the Grecian and other States
some of which have received little attention
from the general historian. but which have com
municated with us through the media of private
memoranda or even arbitrary legends-show
that the festal seasons of the olden time far ex
celled the present, in the exuberance of theil
joy, and frequency of occurrence.
In our mother country, the attention of some
of her modest bards has been unavodably drawn
to the festivals Of ''merre England, celebrated
as they were in those homesteads
"Where love and lore did claim alternate hours
| With peace embosomed in italian bowers. y
| l will not undertake to solve the question
|
countries have demanded this looping off of so
many "boughs of strength" bending beneath
abundant fruits of joy-that task need not be
here entered upon. In this connection may
say, that it depends much upon the public feel
ing of bodies Of men, rs to the multiplication or
diminishing of particular anniversary days, and
that these have alwaysvaried with those varying
customs and habits which are the proper expo
nents of the heart of people.
But though this be so, there is always danger
lest the sterner and more vigorous occupations OF
life sh uld cncroach too much upon its ebulitions
of native buoyant joy.
Now there are amid the tolls of life, certain
breathing speUs, in which the mind relaxes its
grasp upon things trough and tough" and en-
joys for little while, the careless of holiday
esprit. oh, then how doth the Imagination,
wrought up by Fancy to the highest pitch, love
to reve in the ideal imagery of yet future festal
seasons! How are the present burdens and heart
aches that make part at least of life n "ghoul
infested waye' disposed of and fearlessly checked
by Hope and Expectation-those two ndispen-
sable attendants upon life's journey! And as
the joyful thoughts of festive unions present
themselves by degrees unclouded to the vision,
how doth the soul renew its strength and inspire
this feeble, hating frame with primeval vigor!
The custom of annually recurring seasons OF
festivity-each in commemcraton Of some great
event, which produced beneficial change in
their constitution gave new lustre to their ma
tional glory-has obtained universally among
all the nations of the earth.
Among the ancient States, Greece undoub teddy
took the lead in the number and vivacty of her
festivals. All that was naive and recherche in
the catalogue of nature and of art sum.
moned into play music, the drama-then in its
highest purity. rhetorical exhibitions, and the
like, accompanied by the most gorgeous process.
sions and temple service, made the Panathaenaic
and others what they were. Every fourth year,
the celebration of the Olympic games drew count
less thousands to the noighborhoodo of charming
Ellis and amid all these festivities, the blending
of the terrestrial and celestial was strange and
surprising
"The gods came down to feast with men %
Among modern nations England is unrivalled
as the mother of wit and laughter. Her people
have, from the Anglo Saxon invasion to the
| present time, preserved her character of e1ube.
rant mirthfulness, happily blended with sound
prudence.
Our own virgin empire, though too young as
yet for the development of many new principles
in systems of festivals, is yet beginning to take
its stand among enlightened nations superior
in this respect, to some of our sister nations
seniors by far to us.
We have our periodical seasons for merry ma.
king; dfferingin minor points, but in essen tials
one. Of these three stand predominent-each,
like the Pharos at Alexandra, as beacon lights
lifted up on high. In consecutive order, they
are, Independence Day; Thanksgiving and
| Christmas.
A crowd of innocent pleasures hover around
this latter; its present near approach may rem.
der a propos q few "thoughts and fancies."
Though the major part of the Xtan Era the
annual recurrence of Christmas has been marked
by appropriate festivities, and crowned with dc.
lights.
1t were interesting to thread our way through
the labyrinths of past ages; to lay our finger
upon the inception of this festive season, and
portray its fret observance, but this forms nc
err in any previous age, this festival has been sur
rounded with more appropriate ceremonies, than
are Mt present attached to it.
AT this season fresh joys are born, and rock ed
in the cradle of fervid anticipation. We form
NV resolutions, and perhaps are enlightened
moro in regard to our duty, members of soci
ETY.. With proportionate satisfaction cast the
last sods upon the grave which consigns to OBJ
livion former anmosites and former troubles
We feel like entering anew upon social existence
"-Graves, which true love had bathed in
Are left to heavens bright rain;
Fresh hopes are born for other years !"
Though these exercises of mind belong strict.
ly speaking to the New Year. yet they may be
said to have their birth with the ushering in Of
its exhiarating diversions.
But what pen shall describe the pageant OF
Christmas as witnessed in enlig htened and Chris.
tiau countries7 Who shall raise the veil from
myrinds of dwellings, and display to view the
joyful sights and communicate the mirthful
sounds from thousands of merry hearted urchins
with the calmer graver joy of sires and matrons
throughout our wide spread borders? Imagina-
ton here may revel in abundance!
With what zest is the day bt gun, amid the OK
cited minds of youth How sweetly and sub.
timely doth the Christmas carol ascend from a
thousand family hearth. stones, up, up, and yet
higher, through the buxom air, reaching even
to the third heaven,
How doth fathers manly pride and a moth
er's love unite in blessings their prattling
offspring! And then one unanimous vote OF
thanks and compliments to Santa Ciaus-that
dear good old fellow who is immortal till his
work is done; whose omniscient faculty, latent
hitherto throughout the year, but aroused in full
time for the benefit of his youth full admirers, has
satisfied eyes, nose and stomach. with Christmas
bon. bons; whose visits are at leas: mark ed By