The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1907-12-24
l g End
'0f ST. Nicholas is Told in a
Historic Poem Read the
World Over.
POEM HAS A HISTORY
Author Was Eminent Scholar.
Who Was Ashamed of 1t I'm
til He Found 1t Popular.

On December %, 1929, there ap-
peared In the Troy tNew York; SEN
tinel poem which has had remark
able popularity. AS a purely secu-
lar treatment OF the Christmas
theme, "A Visit From st. Nicholas"
has no rival in the hearts OF the
American people. 1t is accepted
universally as the most adequate ex-
preston of the holiday spirit as is
understood by the children OF
America-by those who have not been
robbed of the fight of time or the
mischievous interference Of their
elders to their charming faith in good
St. Nicholas.
Viewed constructively and accord
ing to the accepted standard OF po-
etic form, "A Visit from st. Nicho-
las" falls far short of perfection. AS
specimen of versification it is de
cidedly crude, and 1t violates
more than one of the plain rules
for the guidance of the verse maker.
Some of the most modern writer's of
limericks produce lines that are in
initely better adapted to scanism.
So the charm is not in the work
manshfp, but in the sentiment and
in the CHEEKY holiday briskness that
animates the poem from beginning
to end. 1t rings true upon the
childish understanding, and it ap-
peals directly to those for whom it
was written without the necessity
of further Interpretation It recites
the Santa Claus legend with sim
plicity and directness that are all
convincing to the wondering child
and are almost potent enough to
thrill the sophisticated grown up.
Not for Publication.
The poem was not written for pub
lication. 1t was printed without the
consent or knowledge of it's author
and he was properly Indignant when
it appeared in spite of his expressed
desire to- let it go no farther than his
own family circle He composed 1t
on Christmas eve, 1922, and read It
from the manuscript to his delighted
children as they were hanging up
their stockings in anticipation OF the
customary visit of the Christmas
Saint. An indiscreet relative who
was present was so impressed by the
reading and the effect produced on
the children that she obtained copy
of the verses and sent them to
friend.
Thence they passed through vari-
GUS appreciative hands, finding their
way the next year into public print.
The success of the poem was in
stantaneous. Although the season
of the Yuletide was over for that
year, "a Visit from st. Nicholas
found it's way into almost every pub
lication in the land, and in an in
credlbly short time it became familiar
to Americans in all parts of the
country. Long before the passing of
its author it had become widely
known and the most frequently quot
ed Christmas poem in the language.
There was good reason why its
author, Clement Clarke Moore, pre-
ferred to limit it's circulation to his
own family circle. First of all, at
the time of the writing of the jingle
he was a grave and very learned
professor of Biblical learning in a
Theological seminary. 1t did not ac-
cord with his idea of professional
dignity to have his name in such in
innate connection with an effort
which he regarded as unworthy of
his reputation as a Hellenist and He
brew scholar. He had already com
piled a Hebrew and English lexicon
which was beginning to make It's
way among scholars, and he feared
that the Christmas rhyme would
work to the disadvantage of the die
tionary.
Author Distressed.
There was still another reason
and TO Professor Moore it was an
exceedingly important one-why his
name should not appear in too close
company with the carelessly built
poem beginning Twas the night be-
fore Christmas" He had the repu-
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