New-York tribune., 1868-12-25
CHRISTMAS IN ENGLAND.

Uprouse We then, my merry, merry men, for
Z is our Christmas day
such il the burden Of the chime which the enlivening
church bells oyfuy ring ont Oh Christmas morning In
England. The bells, which considered by the villag
ers TO be quite necessary sppurenance the parish
church az the curae the rector almost Of the i'm
portance ar the parish bcade himself cang forth such
merry, maddng peal, that every one Is quickly astir,
with the exception, perhaps Of those unhappy waits,
who knowing that with Christmas Eve, "Othellos oecu
patton gone" have taken out a.fOrnghts enforced alb
stnenee at the village aehouse, and who by succession
OF zie.zag movements have managed 10 sap their way
home only couple OF hours ago. Little boys and girls
who are betmes FOL the purpose of witnessing the
ancient customary formaltes which take place In the
kitchen, when the Christmas pudding IS put into the pof
checTy Join in the chime, and chant the old nursery
dtty Oranges and lemons, say the bells Of 81. Glenn
euts" with childish heartness and gee While at the same
time they perform series Of tortuOus wndings and
acrobatlc yratons very graceful 10 witness but OF
somewhat mystifyng character 10 the unnatod adult
those great fat Jumps OF candcd orange and lemon which
they Will so eagerly search for ~ their plum puodng py
and BY quite as eagerly for the lucky siXpence or the
wedding ring for they have AZ present nO need OF theso
accessories But In all the puddings we have ever known
these Jumps OF delight have always seemed to play at
hide aud seek and with persisteney worthy Of botter
cause. have only turned up IKE Augeh vsts lew ana
On Christmas day, all Che world makes point OF get
ting up early. All the world makes point OF getting ont
bed the right side. and begins the day o all Engsh
DAYS with determination 10 be happy free, and tOyia,
and Nh gulet inward resolution 70 cat and drink as
much IS fLcy possibly The poor share equally Win
fhe rich these antcpatOns Of oyaty and happiness Tor
on Christmas the squire and My Lady alwaysrepaf 10
tho great arder OF the hail. where, assisted by he mousse
keeper they dispense with liberal hand srlons OF DeeI
legs OF mutton barrels Of -four and bottles OF wine, 10
all those who have not the means ef procuring them;
with flannel ana all sorts Of warm clothing not forgetting
TOYS, cakes, and sweetmests for the children
And now an yO don your best by way or DONG hOnor
g. the day. sudden burst OF many little voices singing
ChIistgas Carols nnder your Window causes you 10
sart and that berett OF enemies on frosty morning.
that most cantankerOus OF implements Tor human torture,
Immediately goes awry Dut happily Ike the rest oi the
world You have got OF bed the right side, ana are
IN the luUOr TO put up with anything and everything
On deScndng to breakfast r00n yOn are greeted on
al sides on the day. the compliments
Of fhs seasOU and kjss under tho msetoe from that
rosy faced ls VagabOnd who 40 disconcerted you iaat
night by asking her nlaf1Ila In MI audible whisper;
why deas that gentleman have forehead at the Daok
Of hs hcsdr All the rooms have, as by magic, been
turned into sort OF fairy palace The whole mouse Is
Ia with fresh eyefrfens niersperscd Win everlasting
Gt holly, and other bright cOl0rcd berries tied up
with ribbons tsstefuy arranged; and one small bnncl
DagiGcencs, IN vase In the center Of the breakfast
table. Tho parent bunch hangs In the servants hail. ls
proximity Is stdOnsy avoided, except Oh rare and wen
chosen OccaslOs by the maid servants with the oAcep-
ton OF The cook who finds, 10 her great disgust that Me
may stand uuder tbs nseOe as long as she likes With
perfect iinpunlty.
Every ytg ont OF doors looks bright frosty. and cheer
fu aud for la your life you think that even
has cheerful appearance. On your way 20 church you
meet bands OF little village children, decorated With
Nhitnis shranda singing carols on their way t0serYlco