The constitutional union., 1861-01-11


 Hue and Cry after Christmas.
 4 man might then behold
 Al Christmas, in each hall
 Good ines to curb the cold,
 Aad meat for great and small.
 Tho gabors were friendly bidlcn,
 And 9l had welcome true,
 Iae poor from the gates were not chdden
 When tAia old cap was new. old Song.
 Nothing in lngland exercises more de- li-htiui fe.I over my imagination than tile Inger;ucs o. the holiday customs and rural games ol former times They recall the pict- ales my fancy used to draw in the May morn tug ol .Ie when yc. only know the world through books. and Ielicyeu 1t to De all that poet, had painted f.; and they bring with them tLe flavor of those honest men of wore. in which, perhaps, with equal ialIacy. 1 am apt to think the world Was more homcbrcd. social and joyous than at present l regret to say that they are daily growing more and more lan:, beng gradually worn away by time. but -i more ob.itcra,ci by modern fashion. l5.y resemble those picturesque molso.s al .9.h.c architecture. which we see crumJlng n various parts of the country, partly diianidated by the waste Of ages and partly los, in the additions and alterations of latter days. Poetry. however, clin9ine with cherished londGcss about the rural game and holiday roycl, from which 1t has derived so many of its thcmcs-as the ivy winds its rich foliage abou. the gothic arch and mouldering tower, gratefully repaying their support, by claspin@ together their tottcring remains, and, as it were cmbalDine them in verdurc.
 CT all the old festivals however, that of Christmas aWakcns the strongest and most heartfelt associations There is a tone of SOL emn and sacred feeling that blends with our conyiviality, and lifts the spirit to a state of halowed and elevated enjoyment. The ere vices of the church about this season arc cX- tremcly tender and inspiring. They dwell on the beautiful story of the origin of our faith, and the pastoral scenes that accompanied its announcement. They gradually increase in ieryor and pathos during the season of Ad- vent, until they break forth in full jubilee on the morning that brought peace and .rood- will to men. l do not know a grander effect of music on the moral feelings, than to hear the full choir and the pcaling organ perform ing Christmas anthem in a cathedral, and filing every part of the vast pile with trium- phant harmony
 It is a beautiful arrangement also, derived from days of yore, that this festival, which commemorates the announcement of the re- lgion of peace and love, has been made the season for gathering together of family con- noctons, and drawing close again those bond, or kindred hearts, which the cares and pleas ures and sorrows of the world are continually operating to cast loose; of calling back the children of a family, who have launched forth in life, and wandered widely asunder, once more to assemble about the paternal hearth that rallying place of the affections, there tc grow young and loving again among the en- dearing mementoes of childhood
 There is something in the very season of the year that gives charm to the festiyity of i Christmas. At other times we derive great portion of our pleasure from the mere beau ties of nature. Our feelings sally forth anC dssipate themselves over the sunny landscape and we live abroad and everywhere" The song of the bird, the murmur of the stream the breathing fragrance of spring, the soft vo righteousness of summer, the golden pomp o autumn earth with its mantle of refreshing green, and heaven, with its deep, delicious blue, and its cloudy magnificence, all fill u with mute but exquisite delight, and wereve in the luxury of mere sensation. But in th'