The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1860-12-27
a. $50

expanded INTO q broader but q shaIlOWcr
stream and has forsaken many Of those
deep and quiet channels where it flowed
sweetly through the calm bosom Of domes-
tic life. Society has acquired a more en-
lightened and elegant tone but it has
lost many OF its strong local peculiaritics
its home-bred fcelings@its honest FIRE
side delights The Evolutionary customs
Of goden-hearted antiquity, its feudal
hospitalities, and lordly massailings, have
passed away with the baronial castles and
stately manor-houses in which they were
celebrated. They compOrted with the
shadowy hall, the great oaken gallery, and
the tapestried Parior, but are untitled to
the light snowy saloons and gay drawing
rooms Of the modern villa.
Shorn, however, as it Is, Of It's ancient
and festive h0Dors, Christmas IS still Il
period Of delightful excitement. 1t IS
gratifying to see that home feeling COM
pletelY aroused which holds 50 powerful
place inevery bosom. The preparations
making on every side 70" the social board
that is again to unite friends and kindred,
the presents OF good cheer passing and re
passing. those tokens OF regard aud quick
/ euers Of kind feelings the eycrgreens
ttiStl lDlitti dBbLl 4ipboNo anu I'll IA
| emblems Of peace and gladness; all these
/ have the most pleasing effect in prcdu-
! cling fond associations, and kinuiing be-
nevolent sympathies.
How delightfully."- the imagination, when
wrought upon by these moral influences,
turns everything to melody and beauty
The very growing Of the cock, heard some
times in the profound rcpose Of the coun-
. try, ''telling the night watches to his
! leathery danes" was thought by the
common people to announce the approach
Of this sacred festival.
,.5ome say that ever 'gainst that season comes
Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated,
| This bird of dawning singeth all night long
| And them they say, no spirit dares stir abroad
! The nights are wholesome-thcn no planets
strike;
No fairy takes, no witch hath power to charm
Sc haIIow'd and so gracious is the time"
Amidst the general call to happiness, the
hustle Of spirits, and stir Of the affections
which prevail at this period, what bosom
can remain insensible? 1t is, indeed, the
season of regeneratcd feeiing-the season
for kindiing, not merely the fire Of hospI-
tality in the hall, but the genial flame Q.
charity IN the heart.
Thesccne Of early love again rises greer
to memory beyond the sterile waste o
years and the idea Of home, IraUgh
with the fragrance Of home-dWeIling joys
teammates the dropping spirit; as thl
Arabian breeze viii sometimes watt th(
freshness of the distant fields 10 the weary
pilgrim of the desert.
Stranger and sojourner as i am in tht
land~though for me ne social hearth may
blaze, 10 hospitabIe roof throw open it
doors, nor the warm grasp Of friendship
welcome me at the thrcshUld-yet l fee
the influence Of the season beaming int
ny soul from the happy looks OF thos
around me, Surely happiness IS rctlec
tive, like the light Of heaven and ever,
countenance, bright with smiles, and glow
; ing with innocent enjoyment, is Il miro
transmitting TO others the rays Of Z 81
+ preme and everlasting bcneyOlence. ii
who can turn churlishly away from con
, tcmplating the felicity Of his tellow-be
7 iugs, and can sit down darkEng and repl
, ming in his loneliness when ali around
Joyful, may have his moments Of stron
. excitement and selfish grarifcatioH, but h
S wants the genial and social sympathit
which constitute the charm OF a merr
: Christmas Washington ir0iHg.