The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1882-12-23
CHRISTMAS.
BY WASUINGTON IRVING.

lh1S OF the hOlYtiAy customs and III
raj games ut former times. They
recall the pictures ny fancr used
to draw i'll tie May morning of my
life, when as yet | only knew the
world through books. aud believed
it to be all that poets had painted :;
and they bring with them the fla
vof ofthoSe honest days of yore. in
which perhaps, with equal fallacy,
| ain apt to think the world was
mere home bred, social and Joyous
than at present. ! regret to say,
that they are daily growing more
and more faint, being gradually
worn away by time, but still more
oblitrratrd by modern fashion.
They resemble those picturesque
morsels of Gothic architecture.
which we see crumbling in var;oas
parts OF the country, partly diIapi
dated by the waste OF ages, and
partly lost in the additions and al
terations of latter days. Poetry
however, clin"s. with chcrishinu
tondness about the rural game and
HOLIDAY revel, from which it has
derived so many Of its t~llemeS-as
the ivy winds It's rich foliage about
the gothic arch and ntouldeiing
tower, gratefully repaying their
support, by clasping together their
lettering remains. aud, rs it we're,
emhalming them in verdure.
OF all the old festivals, however.
that OF Christmas avakens the
strongest and most heart felt asso
Citations. There is a tone Of sacred
ana solemn feeling, that blends
with our c~onvivia!ity, and lifts the
spirit to . state OF Ilaiiowed and
elevated enjoyment. The services
of the chulch about this season are
extremely tender and inspiring.
They dwell OH the beautiful story
OF the origin Of our faith, and the
pastoral scene that accompanied
its announcement. They gradually
Increase i'll fervour and patlos Gu
ring the season of Advent. until
they break forth in full jubilee on
the morning that brought peace
and goodwill to men. | DO not
know IL grander effect of music on
the moral feelings, than to hear the
pea!IHG organ pertormin. a Christ
mas anthem i'll ii Cathedral and i'll
ling every fart Of the vast pile
with triumphant harmony.
1t is a beautiful arrangement a,
so derived from days Of yore, that
this festival, which commentaries
the announcement of the religion
OF peace and love, has been made
the season for gathering together
OF family connexions, and drawing
closer again those bonds of kindred
heats, 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 asnnder,
ouce more to assemble about the
paternal hearth, that rallying place
Of the affections, there to grow
young and loving again among the
~endearing mementos of childhood.
There is something in the very
season OF the year, that gives a
charm to the festiyity of Christmas
At other times we derive a great
portion OF our pleasures from the
beauties Of nature. Our feelings
sally forth, and dissipate themselves
over the sammy landscape, and
we olive abroad and every where,
The song Of the bird, the murmur of
the stream, the breathing fragrance
of spring, the soft voluptuousness
of summer, the golden pomp of au
tumn, earth, with its mantle of re