Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 December 1883 — Irving’s Christmas. [ARTICLE]

Irving’s Christmas.

When Irving was reproached for ' describing auEnglish Christmas which jho had never seen, he replied that, although everything that he had described might not be seen at any single house, yet all of it could be seen somewhere in England at Christmas. He might have answered, also, that the ! spirit of what he had described was visible everywhere in Christendom on ■ Christmas day. | Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes i Wherein our Saviour’s birth is celebrated, | The bird of dawning singeth all night long; ; And then, they say, no spirit dares stir abroad ; The nights are wholesome, then no planets' strike, ' No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm, | Sa hallow’d and so gracious is the time. This is the Christmas-sentiment-of to-/ day. as it was of Shakespeare’s time. It is the most human and kindly of seasons, as fully penetrated and irradiated with the feeling of human brotherhood, which is the essential spirit of Christianity, as the month of June with sunshine and the balmy breath of roses. Santa Claus coming down the chimney loaded with gifts is but the symbol of the gracious influence which at this time descends from heaven into every heart. The day dawns with a benediction; it passes in holiday happiness; and ends in soft and pensive regret. It could not be the most beautiful of festivals if it were doctrinal, or dogmatic, i or theological, or local. It is a universal holidSjFtmcmwe' f a universa-Tsentiment, moulded only by a new epoch, and subtly adapted to newer forms of the mid faith. - - Gear;/e II '. Curtis, ill Harper's Magazine.