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HARPER'S WEEKLY.

[DECEMBER 25, 1858.]

CHRISTMAS—GATHERING EVERGREENS.

CHRISTMAS.

In wishing our friends a merry Christmas, we present them with four pictures of the season—gathering evergreens in the forest for chapel or ball room; the Christmas-tree with its wonderful foliage and fruit, more popular among children than the ripest peaches or ruddiest apples; the well-filled stocking at the foot of the bed; and last of all, the Christmas out of doors, with poor shivering creatures cowering under the storm, many of them, perhaps, with “nowhere to go.” Let all

who propose to spend a merry Christmas at home, with a Christmas-tree and sports of all kinds, think of the poor people who on that Christmas night have no warm fire to sit by, and no home to call their own.

Time was when it was unlawful to keep Christmas in New England. A penal enactment, we are told, actually forbade the pilgrims and their children from keeping Christmas; so closely was the day connected in their minds with the rites of the Church which they had reason to regard as their oppressor. In these Middle States and in the South

Christmas Day has always been a popular holiday. Nowhere, perhaps, in the world is Christmas so heartily enjoyed as in New York. Every one remembers the lines:

> "Hark! the merry bells chiming from Trinity
> Charm the ear with their musical din,
> Telling all throughout the vicinity
> Holiday gambols are now to begin.
> Friends and relations,
> With fond salutations,
> And warm gratulations,
> Together appear;

> While lovers and misses,
> With holiday kisses,
> Greet merry Christmas
> And happy New Year!"

It seems a question whether the Yule-log was ever introduced into this country as a necessary part of the Christmas ceremonies. One authority says:

> "'Twas Christmas eve! the supper board was spread,
> The fire blazed high, with logs of hickory fed."

Others, however, speak of the Yule-log as being