Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-12-25
CITY ITEMS.

CHRISTMAS DAY-This anniversary Is nominally, and,
in the church calendar actually the day for the COM
msmOrstion of the birth of Christ the name Of the
festival implies but Of the mulstade who will observe it
as q welcome holiday, how few will revert TO the
origin and religion, associations Of the day. Indeed
would almost seem like mockery to remind the reader
at this time that Christmas was originally liked upon as
an occasion to celebrate the nativity OF Him whose ad-
vent Was made known by "the heavenly host prafing
God and saying Glory to God in the highest, and on
earth peace good will towards men," What need fer
reference to the past when the present affords so much
evidence Of the prevalence of btr discord upon earth
and iii-,sH among men. Asregards our own natlona-
lty 80 unhappy involved, we all know that the HOSTILE
tbs 10 which are engaged we're forced upon US by
tcdforsaken psople, and therefore il touches not
that a, nation we fail to Illustrate the realzi alton Of
at era Of peace which the birth Of Christ has been sup
posed TO inaugurate though he himself declared that
He came not to send peace, but sword"
But If peace universally prevailed and "man to man
the vide world DER brothers, and a'tha,,"
Christmas would bs observed here to any extent as
religious festival but the contrary il would be wei
coined aud celebrated as it now is ss ajubilee, augh
with peculiar er oymeat to old and youug; as al occa-
sion for driving dull care away, and engaging IN the puI
suit OF joys unknown AZ any other season. The very
VOID Christmas corures up visions OF roast turkey egg
nog pop3rackers pudding sugar pums toys, etc nsep-
ably associated with the day. and having no connection
with religious exercises.
We have no doubt that the majorit Of the commu
nifty will to-day have good time" Certainly, we
wish them all and especially the friends Of the Wig,
" Merry Christmas" IL ia not possible that all viii be
as " happy" they a twelve month ago, though
some NAV be much happier. But cannot forget thai,
many family reunion, to-day, there will be absent
Ones whose presence would enlVen the heside, or in
crease the fesivy at the dinner board. They may be
far away in the service Of their country perchance
under the sod but in either case their absence will be
felt where their memory is cherished and TO this ex
tent least the enjoyment Of many will be impaired
Let those who fess to-day or indulge IN the contents
of the tempting bowl strive to be guided by the Pauic
advice Be temperate in ali things" They will have
no cause hereafter to regret this advice As to
the little folks cannot expec. that they will restrain
themselves but hops thai they will at least escape
the consequences OF overndugeuce 80 humoIousy pre-
sented by unknown parodist in the subj 1ined lines
Twas the night after Christmas, when all through the
house,
Every soul was abed, and as still as q mouse,
Those stockings so lately ST. Nicholas care,
Were emp;ed Of all that was eatsble there.
The darlings had duly been tucked in their beds
With very full stomachs and paia in their heads.
| was doing away ia my new cotton cap,
And Nancy was rather far gone in nap
When out in the nurs'ry arose such clatter,
sprang from my sleep-cryiog What is the matter y
fes TO each bedside-stil half in dozs,
Tore open the curtains and threw Off the clothes.
While the light Of the taper served clearly 10 show
The piteous plight Of those objec below,
For what II the fond fathers eyes should appear,
But the little pale face Of each sick little dear,
For each pet tina. had crammed itself full IS tick,
knew in a moment now felt like old Nick.
Their pulses were rapid their breathings the same,
What their stomAchs rejected I'll mention by name
Now Turkey, now Stuff ig, Plum Pudding Of course,
And Custards and Cralsrs, and Cranberry sauce,
Before outraged nature, all went TO the wall,
Yes, Lolypops Fapdodde, Dinner and all,
L ke pellets which urchins from pop-guns let hy
Went figs, nuts and raisins, JAM ely and pie,
TIL each error Of die; was brough: to my view,
To the shame Of Mama a1d OF Santa Claus toe.
turned from the sight to my bedroom stepped back,
And brought GU: phal marked "Pdly Ipecio,"
When my Nancy excliimed-lor their sufsrings shock
ed her
DON'T you think you had better love- for the Doctor
ran, and was scarcely back under my roof,
When heard the sharp CHATTER of old Jalap's hoof
might say that / hardly had turned myself round,
When the Doctor came into the room with bound,
dc was covered with mud from his head TO his foot,
Aud the suit he had on was his very worst suit;
He had hardly bad time to put that on his back,
And he looked like Fastsff halt fuddled with rack
His eyes how they tvinkled Had the Doctor got merry
dis cheeks looked like POr. and his breath smelt OF
Sherry
He hadn't beon shaved for fortnight or SO,
And the beard bis chin wasnt white as tue snow.
Ba. inspecting their tongues 10 despite Of their teeth,
And drawing his watch from his Waistcoat beneath
Hs felt of each pulse-saying leach little belly
Must get rid-here he lAughed-"of the rest Of that
Jelly"
eaz,d on each chubby plump, sck little elf
Aud groaned when he said so-in spite Of myself,
But wink Of his eye when he physick'd Our FREQ,
Soon gave me to know had nothing TO dread
He dida't prescribe-but went straightvay to york,
AID dosed all the rest-gIve his troWsers a jerk
nd adding iirecLinns Ehila blowing his
lie buttoned bis coat:-from his chair he arose,
Tnen Jumped in his gig-gave old Jalap a whistle,
And Jalap dashed OF as il pricked by THISTLE
Blu. the Doctor exclaimed he drove out Of sight,
They'll be well by tonorroW-good night! Jones-gtod
night