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

family connections, and drawing closer
again the bands Of kindred hearts, which
the cares and pleasures and SORROWS OF the
world are continually operating to cast
loose; of calling back the children OF 4
family, who have launched forth in life,
and wandered widely asunder, once more
to assemble about the paternal hearth, that
rallyin% place Of the affections, there to
grow young and loving again among the
eudearing mementocs Of childhood.
There Is something in the very season
Of the year that gives 4 charm to the fcs-
tiyity of Christmas. 1t other times we
derive a great portion OF our pleasures
from the mere beauties OF nature. Our
feelings sally forth and dissiPatc themselves
over the sunny landscape, and we Give
abroad and everywhere.' The song Of the
bird, the muruur Of the stream, the
breathing fragrance OF spring, the soft
VoluptuUusucss Of summer, the golden
| pomp Of autumn, earth with ii mantle OF
! refreshing green, and heaven with It's
| deep delicious blue and its cloudy magnii-
! icence, all Ell Us with mute but exquisite
/ delight, and we rcvcl in the luxury Of
mere sensation. But in the depth OF
| winter, when nature lies dcspuiled Of every
charm, and wrapped in her shroud Of
/ sheated snow, we turn tor our qualifications
/ to moral sources. The dreariness and
desoiation OF the landscape, the short and
/ gloomy days, and darksomc nights, while
/ they circumscrbe our wanderings, shut in
our feelings also from rambling abroad,
and make Us more keenly disposed for the
| pleasure Of thcsoc;aI circle. Our thoughts
! are more concentrated, our friendly sym
pathies more aroused. We feel more sen
! siblv the charm Of each others society,
and are brought more closely together by
| dependence on each other for enjoyment.
Heart callcth unto heart; and we draw our
pleasures from the wells Of loving kind
/ bosoms; and which, when resortcd to,
furnish forth the pure clement Of domestic
felicity.
The pitchy gloom without, makes the
heart dilate on entering the room filed
with the glow and warmth Of the evening
fire. The ruddy blaze diffuses an artificial
summer and sunshine through the room,
and lights up each countcuance in u kind
lier welcome. Where does the honest
face Of hospitality expand into broader
and more cordial smile-wherc is the shy
. glance Of love more sweetly eloquent
than by the winter Grcside! and, as the
hollow blast Of wintry wind brushes through
the hail. claps the distant door, whistles
about the easement, and rUmbles down
the chimney, what can be more grateful
than that feeling Of sober and sheltered
security with which We look around upon
the comfortable chamber and the scene OF
domestic hilatity?
The English, from the great prevalence
Of rural haoit throughout every class OF
society, have always been fond Of those
festivals and holidays which agrecably in
tcrrupt the stiffness OF country life; and
they were, in former days, particularly
observaut Of the religious and social rites
Of Christmas. 1t is inspiring to read even
the dry detsils which some antiquaries
have given of the quaint humors, the bur
lcsque pagcants, tbe completeabandonment
20 mirlh and good-fellowsh with which
this festival was celebrated. Itseemed tC
throw open the door, and unlock every
heart 1t brought the peasant and peer
together, and blended ali ranks in one
warm, generous flow Of JOY and kindness
The old halls OF castles and manCr-house'
resouudeG with the harp and the Christina.
carol, anG their ample boards groaucd be
l meath the weight Of hospitality. Ever
the poorest cottage welcomed the festiv'
| season with green decorations Of bay ant
2 holy-the cheerful fire glanced its ray
? through the lattice, inviting the passers t
' raise the latch, and Join the gossip kno
{ huddled round the hearth, bcguiling tn
/ long evening with legendary jokes AM
e oft-told Christmas tales.
;, One Of the least pleasing effects OF MOI
c ern refinement is the havoc 1t has mad
= among the hearty old holiday customs
t 1t has completely taken off the shar
e touchines and spirited rel;ets of these EN-
:, bellishments OF life, and has worn dow
n society into 4 more smooth and polished
but certainly less characteristic surface
IS Many of the games and ceremonials
1t Christmas have entirely disappeared, an(
n like the sherris sack Of old Falstaft, al
II become matters of speculation and dlSPut
.c among commentators. They fioWished !
le times full of spirit and lustihood, whe
N men enjoyed life roughly, but heartlI
y and vigorously; times wild and pct
in rescue, which have furnished poetry wit
at its richest materials, and the drama vii
its most attractive variety OF characte
e. and manners. The world has becon
Il, more worldly. There is more of diaslp
nt tion. and loss Of enjoyment. Pleasure II