The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1897-12-24
1loetrn.
BEFORE CHRIST
MAS.

The author of this poem of plumcake
and playthings is Clement C. Moore, who
was born in 1881 He was doctor of divin-
ity, and a famous scholar He used in
his leisure moments to write whimsical
poems for the edification of the children
of his family "The Visit of ST. Nicholas
was inspired, according to the statement
of one of the Moore family, by an acquain-
tance of Mr. Moore's-a rubicund, round
bellied and very merry old Dutchman.
The noted verses were first written iu an
album, where Miss Butler saw them and
caused them to be copied in the Troy SEN
tinel, anonymously, as long ago as 1873.
They soon became universally popular.
c. W. Dillingham; of New York has repro
duced fac simile of the original poem,
now resting in the archives of the New
York Historical Society, and together with
printed copy of the text, has issued it in
book-form, with portrait of the author
and numerous illustrations.
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through
the house.
Not creature was stirring not even mouse,
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hope that st. Nicholas would soon be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar plums danced thro' their
heads:
And mamma in her 'kerchief and in my cap,
Had just settled our brain for long winters nap
When out on the lawn there arose such catter,
l sprang from my bed to see what was the matter;
Away to the window flew like flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
Gave the lustre Of midday to objects below;
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer;
With little old driver so lively and quick,
| knew in a moment it must be st. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his courserS they came,
And he whipped ami he shouted and called them by
name:
..Now DaSheri now Dsnce,l now Prancar, now
On Comet! on Cupid on Donder. on Bxen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the WALL
Now dash away, dash away, dash away al!'
As the leaves before the wild hurricane fly.
When they met with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house top, the coursers they flew,
With sleigh full of toys-and St Nicholas too;
And then, in twinkling, heard on the roof
The p.ancing and paving of each little hoof.
SO drew in my head and was turning around.
Down the chimney st. Nicholas came with bound
lie was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot
And his clothes were all tarnIshed with ashes and
bundle of toys lie had flung on his back
And he looked like pedar just opening his pack;
His eyes, how they twinkled, his dimp.es, how
merry:
His cheeks were Ike roses, his nose Ike a cherry
His droll little mouth was drawn up Ike a bow,
And the beard on bis chin was as white as the snow
The stump of a pipe he held in his teeth,
Ard the smoke, it encirced his head Ike a wreath
He had a broad face, and little round nelly,
Which shook when he laughed like bowl full o
jelly;
| He was chubby and plump. right jolly Old elf,
And laughed when saw him. in spite Of myself
Wink OF his eye and a twist OF his head,
Soon gave me tu know had nothing to dread.
He spt ke not word, but went straight to rs work
And filled all the stoc kngs-then turned with jel
And laying his fingers aside Of his nose,
And giving nod up the chimney he rose.
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave whistle
And away they all flew like til, down Of a thistle,
But heard HIM excaim, ere he drove out OF sight
"A MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL
GOOD NIGHT