The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-12-28


Mlrth and beauty, peace and plenty,
Solid pleasures here ahord.-TRANS.
No where else in America were the trad
tlons, the sports. the festivals, the manner
and customs of England, SO we'll remember
ed, and SO faithfully kept and followed, a
in Virginia, up to some forty years ago
Since then, there has been a decline: bu,
still, there are more English customs ever
now retained among US, than the travelle
can find outside of our limits, on this side O
the Atlantic ocean. And among these Gus
toms Is the celebration of Christmas Day
as 1t is celebrated in the country parts and
the country towns of England As an old
Virginia town-notwithstand it's tempo.
rary, unwlse, and improper political condi-
ton for series of years--separated from its
true. mother-now happily returned and
tondly welcomed to her bosom-Alexandria
was the scene of great rejoicing, glee, and
merrlment," in the olden time, on every re.
currenne Vt Christmas and the Christmas
Holidays. l we'll remember, in my boy-
mood, what time we hadW- and how the
months and weeks were counted in fond an
ticipation Of the arrival of that day. which.
comes but once Il year." aud which we
then thought, came SO slowly, and fled away
50 rapidly!
christmas was general holiday. There
was no class nor condition of men-no race
nor color-who did not participate in the
cessation from labor, and the enjoyment of
the festival. The poorest would work be.
fopehand more diligently than ever, to pre-.
pare Tor the ''rest" of that day:-and from
prattling childhood to hoary age all united in
getting ready for it. hailing ito advent, en-
Joying its ho4rs, and-.-I may add-lament-
ing their departure.
The boys at school, looked for the holiday
during Christmas week, az matter of
r,ght-not as a favor; and resented any at
tempt to curtail their privileges or abridge
their time. l remember that one unluckv
wight-not popular at best with his pupils
and mot to the manor born"-undertook.
on one occasion, in consequence of some
real or farcied offence, to give notice, in sd.
vance, that the school would be closed oalu
on Christmas Day. The announcement was
received in silent astonishment-and the
business Of the school went on, for the re-
mainder of the day, in sullen quietude.
But, from the commencement of the next
morning, such q series of prosecutions and
annoyances as ensued, were rarely eYualed
ut Elton, where the boys are famous for their
onruly department towards obnoxious ushers. :
The key hole of the school house was stop. 7
ped up with mud and old naIs-red pepper q
vas thrown into the stove-the stove nine r
Vas filled with misrepresentation was =
burned to emit disagreeable odor-deri- s.
i've cheers assailed the ears of the teacher
IS he turned the corner--and every species !,
# dissatisfaction shown ending in a plain h
Indication that a regular barring oau" was e
determined on, if the obnoxious order was q
lot recalled. Triptolemus, after advice aad k
Onsultation, succumbed. 1t was announ- h
ed that the common law" would be oh n
-'AAOi i"A AtuuCDiS6S preserved oil
nd christmas week be recognized as :
ollday TO which all were entitled The q,
reclamation was hailed with general an. m
lauee-and affairs restored 60 the most r.
mlcable relationa-''in statu quo ante bel di
lm."
pr
On Christmas eve, in old Alexandria, the d,
hildren Of the family and the neiehbors nj
ere called together at the house of come ed
lend, where there was the most room. and III
Re most comfortable accommodations The m
christmas tree" loaded with bon hons ov
as placed In the middle Of the room. and III
Ike and sweet mea,s furnished in abun- nj
'nce. The boys and girls, with their faith. Of
and mothers and elder brothers and ais an
rs looking on, and joining in their sports bo
aged at blind mans buff with lorfeits. and
ler similar games-and. the hours passed Oh
'rrily until 10 o'clock, when the watch. VIII
ms horns told the time Of night, and were in
signal for breaking up the happy party. ha,
aw bat yesterday, an estimable matron plo
rounded by her sons and daughters, in a
meridian Of life, but still young and CAV chi