Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-12-24
oYrY IrEXs.

CHRISTMAS .-To.morrow will be "Christmss Day,
when, by common consent and custom immemoria, all
classes Of people will devote themselves to the eager pur
sci, Of festive enjoyment The community has become
accustomed to the cha ged condition OF Affairs which tue
for independence has wrought since this day twelve
months ago, and though the rattle OF musketry and
roar of cannon upon the battle field are almost audible
herethouyh the prices of many articles OF luxury and
subsistence have been carried up to nofdnate rates,
and other drawbacks may be encoun.ered-the dispos
tons Of all Persons ia to msko the most OF the holiday
strengthened in their purpose by the tfi1e trntm
"Chrsmas CONES but once year. For q week OF Two
the ladies have been preparing for the OCCASION oy pu
chasing In good time the presents be distributed
among the little ones. Paeifsmias has not been I'M
mindful OF the importance OF providing Tor the onrs
mas dinner aud dare Say that the butchers ana pel
terers have engagements to iunl tnan .ney can
well remember. The Ingredients for the inevitable egg
nogg are scarce and high and lucky are those who have
already secured them The oonfsctoners and toyshop
men are o! course reapirg harvest, and despite TIE
blockade and the busy trade Of the past few days sen
to have ample and varied stocks In their respective hr
We may be deceived but il strikes US that old and
yonng In our civ have as /much Ohristmas In their
bones" this year ever they had.
We wonder If Salta ClauB will be around to n'chE
Toe iuvenes certainly expect him. and will be gfie,ou
ly disappointed should be fail TO come Our 6.iiei
that he will surely be here and will distribute his gifts
literally to all the little folks who hang up their stock
ings except the children OF the poor. They, alas can
not depend upon hs generosity. and must be content
with very litls II he leaves them anything at ALL w"
not those who are blessed with abundance act the part
of Inta Claus tonight towards some OF these neglected
little ones and thereby promote their joyment by
the Consciousness Of having impaired to Others But
we have sld that Santa Claus will be here and he viii
come no doubt in the good cid way" which has been
so felicitousiy described by Dr. Clement u Moore, IN
the following lines:
Twas the night before Christmas, when, all thro' the
house,
Not a creature was stirring, not mouse;
Tho stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hops thai 81. Nicholas coon would be there
TIE children were nestled ell snug in their beds,
While visions of plans danced through their heads;
Add mamma in her 'kerchief, and Ia my cap.
Had settled cur brains for long winters nap
When out on the lawn there srcss such cla:ter,
sprapg from my bed TO see what was the matter;
Axay 10 the window f,S Ike o Hash.
Tore open the shutters and threw up the SASH
TIE moon the breast OF the neE fallen snow
I'VE the lustre of midday to OH ects below
When, what TO my wondering eyes should appear,
Bat miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With little old driver, 20 lively and quick
knew in a moment il mus. be s.. Mex.
More rapid than eagles his c)uIserJ they came,
Aud no vhis led aud shouted ard Gale them By name
Nov p,sher! row, Dancer now, Prancer nov,
Vixen
Ga, Comet! on, Cupid on Dlnder snd Bixen
70 the top o. the porch to the top Of the wall
Now, dash away, dash away, oash away ali
As the leaves that before the wild hurricane ily,
When they meet wi an obstacle mount to tho sky,
s, up to TIE house-tcp the coursers they a,W,
With the sleigh full OF toys aud St Nicholas toe;
And then, in = tsnkling, heard on the roof
The prancipg aud paving OF each little hoof
As drew In my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with bound.
lie dressed all in fur, from his head to bis foot,
And his clothes ali furnished with ashes aud 500.
bur d Of TOYS he bad flung on his back,
Aud he looked like pedlsr just opening his pack;
rs eyes-how they twbkleo his diuplss, how merry
His Ct eeks we're Ike rosas hiI nose ike cherry;
HIS droll little month was draWn up like bow,
I'D the beard GU his chin white as the snow;
The stump Of PIPE he held tight in lis teeth,
AID the smoke !. rciclei his head Ike wreath.
De bad broad face, and little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like bowl full Of jelly.
He vas chubby aud plump; right jolly cid elf;
Aud I laughed When Jaw him, ia spite Of myself.
wink of bis eye aud twist Of his head
Soon gave TO know l had nothing to dread.
ne spoke not word but went strait TO his work,
And filed si the s.cckings-theu turned with jerk,
Aud laying kiJ foger aside Of his nose,
Aud giving nod, up the chimney be rose.
Hs sprang to bis Sleigh TO BIS team gave a whistle,
And away they oil q ", Ike the down Of thistle,
But I heard min excaim, as he drove out Of sight,
"HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL GOOD HIGHT"