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


have Jumped out of a two story. window
recalled to her recollection the happy O,
caslon-when, with smile of ineffabl
sweetness. she turned to her husband an,
sad, II know all about what he is talking
and how | kissed him, because he teazed M
so, and wanted you to see it, and kiss M
too" Oh I! happy, gladstone hours of 10,
younger days! Ye have all gone, and LEFT
me standing almost alone on the banks O.
the stream of time, as it rolls before me
bearing far off, the friends and the compa
mons of nv boyhood, and, sometimes fear
the feelings of my youth!
On Christmas Day the Catholic and Epis-
copal Churches were always adorned with
evergreens, and appropriate scriptural mot
toes, and several days beforehand the Young
people were engaged in the work of arrang-
ing these churches in their holiday garb.-
There are some who can remember the ap-
pearance of old Christ Church, when its
galleries, and pillars, and walls, it's chancel
and pulpit. were hung with thick garlands
from the hardy trees and shrubs which re-
tain their verdure in spite of the rude blasts
and icy grasp of winter. Nothing could be
more Notwithstanding more appropriate.
Devotional feelings we're aroused in the most
torpid hearts, when the solemn words of
praise and thanksgiving for the Birth of our
Saviour, assembled from the sanctuary en-
bosomed IN the green foliage, which cast
linn religious light through the church. and
seemed to accord with the services and wor-
ship of the hallowed occasion.
Early on Christmas morning, the festivi- |
lies of the day commenced. Guns We're dis
charged, pistols fired, and as much noise and
smoke made as would have suficed fer
moderate battle. But there was not then 80
much street firing as am told has been the
ase within the last ten or twelve years.
The gunpowder explosions were mostly on
he premises OF the parties engaged in that
cry questionable kind of hilarity. Large
owls OF egg-nog were ready by daylight in
he bars of all the hotels and restaurants
y the way, there was not in the time of
Which write single restaurant" sin the
they were oyster houses then
land thither focked all the men about
'wn all the Bohemians and MANY
shers besides, to partake of the beverage,
eely and without price," and to see the
sgnning Of the sport among those who
'ere determined ito have "a frolic" then.
they could not have another for the next
veve months.
These, however, were the public, and often
'de and "earish" proofs, Of The general
cling which prevailed the real Virginia
hrlstmas festival could only be seen and 9
Joyed at the quiet and happy homes of the o
'ople, who kept the day as their ancestors
ID celebrated it ever since the settlement of n
g colony" and down to the year -. G.
very family went to church in the morning.
d. that duty performed, devout thanks to Il
ID rendered for all his mercies and espe. il
lily for his greatest of all mercies, the d
lding OF his own Son to redeem the world
the remainder of the day was spent in en- b.
ring the good gifts which Providence had =;
slowed, the converse of kindred and
ends, the meeting of children and grand g.
ldren-the indulgence in the dearest. the ~
ldest, the sweetest emotions of the human
srt. The feast itself, as it smoked unon
hospitable board, was like the feasts in Ia
England more than hundred years ago ga
he large juicy ham-the fat turkey-the IN
tiers of the finest favor-the saddle OF 1e'
tton--the chine of pork-the ,srloin of III
f-'hese, and twenty other substantial n
hes, In many houses, tempted the ap. LIZ
tie of the happy guests; and then the Les
sert Of mince pies, and apple pies, and 10
m puddings-they will all be remember M
by many an old Alexandrian who recalls VI
Christmas dinners Of the olden time-it
y be, the Christmas dinners at which his ore
father and mother presided Nor were be
foaming bowls of luscious egg nog-the mt
hers OF rich apple toddy-always made ira
Jamaica rum-the liberal supply of Port ser
Madeira wines, absent upon the side
I'd and the table t4 a.,
have said that no acOrE was ever done on rho
~