The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-12-21
CHRISTMAS PRESENTS.

This is the time Of the year when in
Vulnerable articles Of tho most varied
kind ere being purchased to be distri-
bu.cd ~ gifts when Christmas day ar
rives. in accordance with the beautiful
custom inherited from our remotest
ancestry. and hallowed by all that love
and friendship can confer. L. is one Of
those immemoiial fashions which, when
observed in its proper spirit, constitutes
the very highest evidence that there Is
something in the soul Of man which
IFS him far above the ANIMALS roaming
the fields. Deeply significant of kind
nees and charity, tboughtfulnoss and
benovoleuce, IL reflects the most consId
crate and amiable emotions tina. can
move the human breast.
In what just harmony it appears with
that noble season when our hearts are
warmed by more generous impulses and
our minds grow more responsive to
softer feelings and more lenient views
than distinguish Us under ordinary cir
cunfs.ancea. There are few more pow
erlul pictures in fiction than that which
Dickens has drawn Of Scrouge in the
first OF his Christmas Carols. how,
under the influence Of the kindlier
hour, his sour ard narrow nature melt
cd into the bcstowal of the most valua-
bic gifts upon those dependent upon
hun who had before trembled before
his frown.
OF the various customs prevailing in
society. this Of presenting Christmas
gifts is one Of those NEST likely to be
warped from its true purpose. There
can be little doubt that il is now mare /
by being made, to a considerable ex-
tent, a mere vehicle for an uDjastiiisble
expenditure Of money that might be
well devoted to other objects. There Is
also an inclination to carry II to a point
Of prOfusion IN the number of gifts by
the same person that encourages aspirit
Of extravaganza among those who can
lily afford toindulge in many purchases.
The custom. too, has been seriously
degraded by iudscrimiuste exchange Of
gifts among people who have no real
claim on each other. and who, in many
instances. RECOGNIZES the custom in con
neclion with themselves simply because
it is the custom, and not because they
are influenced by impulses of mutual
respect and affection. The presentation
OF gift is at the least an evidence Of
kindly feeling IN the giyer, but neither
good sense nor benevolence calls upon
us 10 bestOw presents ut Christmas
upon nearly all towards whom we are
well disposed. Exchange Of gifts should
be confined 70 the immediate members
ot ones family, aud TO a small circle Of
relatives AID friends. As soon as it
crosses these b)un Is. the scust ON loses
its beautiful significance, and becomes
mere fashion TO which we respond for
conventional reasons, or because We
cannot restrain the impulses of ostenta
ton.
y gift presented in the proper spirit
and TO the proper. person is not depend
ent upon its price 70. its value. 1t
might not tax the parse Of beggar 10
purchase it. and yet if it be accompa
MED with love, Election and goodwill.
it is as costly IS if it had exhausted the
wealth Of Ornuz aud Ind to bay it. II
not hallowed by these emotions-if it *
simply an Offering on the altar of van
ity or tyrannieal cuslom-it might be
as precious in substance as the Kohl
moor, and yet as worthless in its mean
ing as the cJmmonest robble on the sea-
shore.