第4章

IwasletbrieflyintohishistorybyFrankBracebridge。Hewasan oldbachelor，ofasmallindependentincome，which，bycareful management，wassufficientforallhiswants。Herevolvedthrough thefamilysystemlikeavagrantcometinitsorbit；sometimes visitingonebranch，andsometimesanotherquiteremote；asisoften thecasewithgentlemenofextensiveconnectionsandsmallfortunesin England。Hehadachirpingbuoyantdisposition，alwaysenjoyingthe presentmoment；andhisfrequentchangeofsceneandcompanyprevented hisacquiringthoserustyunaccommodatinghabits，withwhichold bachelorsaresouncharitablycharged。Hewasacompletefamily chronicle，beingversedinthegenealogy，history，and intermarriagesofthewholehouseofBracebridge，whichmadehima greatfavoritewiththeoldfolks；hewasabeauofalltheelder ladiesandsuperannuatedspinsters，amongwhomhewashabitually consideredratherayoungfellow，andhewasmasteroftherevels amongthechildren；sothattherewasnotamorepopularbeingin thesphereinwhichhemovedthanMr。SimonBracebridge。Oflate years，hehadresidedalmostentirelywiththesquire，towhomhe hadbecomeafactotum，andwhomheparticularlydelightedbyjumping withhishumorinrespecttooldtimes，andbyhavingascrapofan oldsongtosuiteveryoccasion。Wehadpresentlyaspecimenofhis last—mentionedtalent，fornosoonerwassupperremoved，andspiced winesandotherbeveragespeculiartotheseasonintroduced，than MasterSimonwascalledonforagoodoldChristmassong。Hebethought himselfforamoment，andthen，withasparkleoftheeye，andavoice thatwasbynomeansbad，exceptingthatitranoccasionallyintoa falsetto，likethenotesofasplitreed，hequaveredforthaquaint oldditty。 NowChristmasiscome， Letusbeatupthedrum， Andcallallourneighborstogether， Andwhentheyappear， Letusmakethemsuchcheer， Aswillkeepoutthewindandtheweather，etc。 Thesupperhaddisposedeveryonetogayety，andanoldharperwas summonedfromtheservants’hall，wherehehadbeenstrummingall theevening，andtoallappearancecomfortinghimselfwithsomeofthe squire’shome—brewed。Hewasakindofhanger—on，Iwastold，ofthe establishment，and，thoughostensiblyaresidentofthevillage，was oftenertobefoundinthesquire’skitchenthanhisownhome，theold gentlemanbeingfondofthesoundof\"harpinhall。\" Thedance，likemostdancesaftersupper，wasamerryone；someof theolderfolksjoinedinit，andthesquirehimselffigureddown severalcouplewithapartner，withwhomheaffirmedhehaddanced ateveryChristmasfornearlyhalfacentury。MasterSimon，whoseemed tobeakindofconnectinglinkbetweentheoldtimesandthenew，and tobewithalalittleantiquatedinthetasteofhis accomplishments，evidentlypiquedhimselfonhisdancing，andwas endeavoringtogaincreditbytheheelandtoe，rigadoon，andother gracesoftheancientschool；buthehadunluckilyassortedhimself withalittlerompinggirlfromboarding—school，who，byherwild vivacity，kepthimcontinuallyonthestretch，anddefeatedallhis soberattemptsatelegance：—sucharetheill—assortedmatchesto whichantiquegentlemenareunfortunatelyprone！ TheyoungOxonian，onthecontrary，hadledoutoneofhismaiden aunts，onwhomtherogueplayedathousandlittleknaverieswith impunity：hewasfullofpracticaljokes，andhisdelightwastotease hisauntsandcousins；yet，likeallmadcapyoungsters，hewasa universalfavoriteamongthewomen。Themostinterestingcoupleinthe dancewastheyoungofficerandawardofthesquire’s，abeautiful blushinggirlofseventeen。FromseveralshyglanceswhichIhad noticedinthecourseoftheevening，Isuspectedtherewasalittle kindnessgrowingupbetweenthem；and，indeed，theyoungsoldierwas justtheherotocaptivatearomanticgirl。Hewastall，slender， andhandsome，and，likemostyoungBritishofficersoflateyears，had pickedupvarioussmallaccomplishmentsonthecontinent—hecould talkFrenchandItalian—drawlandscapes，singverytolerably—dance divinely；but，aboveall，hehadbeenwoundedatWaterloo：—what girlofseventeen，wellreadinpoetryandromance，couldresist suchamirrorofchivalryandperfection！ Themomentthedancewasover，hecaughtupaguitar，and，lolling againsttheoldmarblefireplace，inanattitudewhichIamhalf inclinedtosuspectwasstudied，beganthelittleFrenchairofthe Troubadour。Thesquire，however，exclaimedagainsthavinganythingon ChristmasevebutgoodoldEnglish；uponwhichtheyoungminstrel， castinguphiseyeforamoment，asifinaneffortofmemory， struckintoanotherstrain，and，withacharmingairofgallantry， gaveHerrick’s\"Night—PiecetoJulia。\" Hereyestheglow—wormlendthee， Theshootingstarsattendthee， Andtheelvesalso， Whoselittleeyesglow Likethesparksoffire，befriendthee。 NoWillo’theWispmislightthee； Nosnakenorslow—wormbitethee； Buton，onthyway， Notmakingastay， Sinceghostthereisnonetoaffrightthee， Thenletnotthedarktheecumber； Whatthoughthemoondoesslumber， Thestarsofthenight Willlendtheetheirlight， Liketapersclearwithoutnumber。 Then，Julia，letmewoothee， Thus，thustocomeuntome， AndwhenIshallmeet Thysilveryfeet， MysoulI’llpourintothee。 Thesongmightormightnothavebeenintendedincomplimentto thefairJulia，forsoIfoundhispartnerwascalled；she，however， wascertainlyunconsciousofanysuchapplication，forshenever lookedatthesinger，butkepthereyescastuponthefloor。Her facewassuffused，itistrue，withabeautifulblush，andtherewasa gentleheavingofthebosom，butallthatwasdoubtlesscausedby theexerciseofthedance；indeed，sogreatwasherindifference，that sheamusedherselfwithpluckingtopiecesachoicebouquetof hot—houseflowers，andbythetimethesongwasconcludedthe nosegaylayinruinsonthefloor。 Thepartynowbrokeupforthenightwiththekind—heartedold customofshakinghands。AsIpassedthroughthehall，onmywaytomy chamber，thedyingembersoftheYuleclogstillsentforthadusky glow，andhaditnotbeentheseasonwhen\"nospiritdaresstir abroad，\"Ishouldhavebeenhalftemptedtostealfrommyroomat midnight，andpeepwhetherthefairiesmightnotbeattheirrevels aboutthehearth。 Mychamberwasintheoldpartofthemansion，theponderous furnitureofwhichmighthavebeenfabricatedinthedaysofthe giants。Theroomwaspanelledwithcornicesofheavycarvedwork，in whichflowersandgrotesquefaceswerestrangelyintermingled；anda rowofblack—lookingportraitsstaredmournfullyatmefromthewalls。 Thebedwasofrich，thoughfadeddamask，withaloftytester，and stoodinanicheoppositeabowwindow。Ihadscarcelygotintobed whenastrainofmusicseemedtobreakforthintheairjustbelowthe window。Ilistened，andfounditproceededfromaband，whichI concludedtobethewaifsfromsomeneighboringvillage。Theywent roundthehouse，playingunderthewindows。Idrewasidethe curtainstohearthemmoredistinctly。Themoonbeamsfellthrough theupperpartofthecasement，partiallylightinguptheantiquated apartment。Thesounds，astheyreceded，becamemoresoftandaerial， andseemedtoaccordwiththequietandmoonlight。Ilistenedand listened—theybecamemoreandmoretenderandremote，and，asthey graduallydiedaway，myheadsunkuponthepillow，andIfellasleep。 THEEND。 1819—20 THESKETCHBOOK CHRISTMAS byWashingtonIrving CHRISTMAS Butisold，old，goodoldChristmasgone？Nothingbutthehairof hisgood，gray，oldheadandbeardleft？Well，Iwillhavethat， seeingIcannothavemoreofhim。 HUEANDCRYAFTERCHRISTMAS。 Amanmightthenbehold AtChristmas，ineachhall Goodfirestocurbthecold， Andmeatforgreatandsmall。 Theneighborswerefriendlybidden， Andallhadwelcometrue， Thepoorfromthegateswerenotchidden Whenthisoldcapwasnew。 OLDSONG。 NOTHINGinEnglandexercisesamoredelightfulspellovermy imagination，thanthelingeringsoftheholidaycustomsandrural gamesofformertimes。Theyrecallthepicturesmyfancyusedto drawintheMaymorningoflife，whenasyetIonlyknewtheworld throughbooks，andbelievedittobeallthatpoetshadpaintedit； andtheybringwiththemtheflavorofthosehonestdaysofyore，in which，perhaps，withequalfallacy，Iamapttothinktheworldwas morehomebred，social，andjoyousthanatpresent。Iregrettosay thattheyaredailygrowingmoreandmorefaint，beinggradually wornawaybytime，butstillmoreobliteratedbymodernfashion。 TheyresemblethosepicturesquemorselsofGothicarchitecture， whichweseecrumblinginvariouspartsofthecountry，partly dilapidatedbythewasteofages，andpartlylostintheadditionsand alterationsoflaterdays。Poetry，however，clingswithcherishing fondnessabouttheruralgameandholidayrevel，fromwhichithas derivedsomanyofitsthemes—astheivywindsitsrichfoliageabout theGothicarchandmoulderingtower，gratefullyrepayingtheir support，byclaspingtogethertheirtotteringremains，and，asit were，embalmingtheminverdure。 Ofalltheoldfestivals，however，thatofChristmasawakensthe strongestandmostheartfeltassociations。Thereisatoneofsolemn andsacredfeelingthatblendswithourconviviality，andliftsthe spirittoastateofhallowedandelevatedenjoyment。Theservices ofthechurchaboutthisseasonareextremelytenderandinspiring。 Theydwellonthebeautifulstoryoftheoriginofourfaith，and thepastoralscenesthataccompanieditsannouncement。They graduallyincreaseinfervorandpathosduringtheseasonofAdvent， untiltheybreakforthinfulljubileeonthemorningthatbrought peaceandgood—willtomen。Idonotknowagrandereffectofmusicon themoralfeelings，thantohearthefullchoirandthepealing organperformingaChristmasantheminacathedral，andfilling everypartofthevastpilewithtriumphantharmony。 Itisabeautifularrangement，also，derivedfromdaysofyore，that thisfestival，whichcommemoratestheannouncementofthereligion ofpeaceandlove，hasbeenmadetheseasonforgatheringtogether offamilyconnections，anddrawingcloseragainthosebandsofkindred hearts，whichthecaresandpleasuresandsorrowsoftheworldare continuallyoperatingtocastloose；ofcallingbackthechildrenofa family，whohavelaunchedforthinlife，andwanderedwidely asunder，oncemoretoassembleaboutthepaternalhearth，that rallyingplaceoftheaffections，theretogrowyoungandlovingagain amongtheendearingmementosofchildhood。 Thereissomethingintheveryseasonoftheyearthatgivesacharm tothefestivityofChristmas。Atothertimeswederiveagreat portionofourpleasuresfromthemerebeautiesofnature。Our feelingssallyforthanddissipatethemselvesoverthesunny landscape，andwe\"liveabroadandeverywhere。\"Thesongofthe bird，themurmurofthestream，thebreathingfragranceofspring，the softvoluptuousnessofsummer，thegoldenpompofautumn；earthwith itsmantleofrefreshinggreen，andheavenwithitsdeepdelicious blueanditscloudymagnificence，allfilluswithmutebut exquisitedelight，andwerevelintheluxuryofmeresensation。But inthedepthofwinter，whennatureliesdespoiledofeverycharm，and wrappedinhershroudofsheetedsnow，weturnforour gratificationstomoralsources。Thedrearinessanddesolationof thelandscape，theshortgloomydaysanddarksomenights，whilethey circumscribeourwanderings，shutinourfeelingsalsofromrambling abroad，andmakeusmorekeenlydisposedforthepleasureofthe socialcircle。Ourthoughtsaremoreconcentrated；ourfriendly sympathiesmorearoused。Wefeelmoresensiblythecharmofeach other’ssociety，andarebroughtmorecloselytogetherbydependence oneachotherforenjoyment。Heartcallethuntoheart；andwedrawour pleasuresfromthedeepwellsofloving—kindness，whichlieinthe quietrecessesofourbosoms；andwhich，whenresortedto，furnish forththepureelementofdomesticfelicity。 Thepitchygloomwithoutmakestheheartdilateonenteringtheroom filledwiththeglowandwarmthoftheeveningfire。Theruddyblaze diffusesanartificialsummerandsunshinethroughtheroom，and lightsupeachcountenanceinakindlierwelcome。Wheredoesthe honestfaceofhospitalityexpandintoabroaderandmorecordial smile—whereistheshyglanceoflovemoresweetlyeloquent—than bythewinterfireside？andasthehollowblastofwintrywind rushesthroughthehall，clapsthedistantdoor，whistlesaboutthe casement，andrumblesdownthechimney，whatcanbemoregratefulthan thatfeelingofsoberandshelteredsecurity，withwhichwelookround uponthecomfortablechamberandthesceneofdomestichilarity？ TheEnglish，fromthegreatprevalenceofruralhabitthroughout everyclassofsociety，havealwaysbeenfondofthosefestivalsand holidayswhichagreeablyinterruptthestillnessofcountrylife； andtheywere，informerdays，particularlyobservantofthereligious andsocialritesofChristmas。Itisinspiringtoreadeventhedry detailswhichsomeantiquarieshavegivenofthequainthumors，the burlesquepageants，thecompleteabandonmenttomirthand good—fellowship，withwhichthisfestivalwascelebrated。Itseemedto throwopeneverydoor，andunlockeveryheart。Itbroughtthe peasantandthepeertogether，andblendedallranksinonewarm generousflowofjoyandkindness。Theoldhallsofcastlesand manor—housesresoundedwiththeharpandtheChristmascarol，and theirampleboardsgroanedundertheweightofhospitality。Eventhe poorestcottagewelcomedthefestiveseasonwithgreendecorations ofbayandholly—thecheerfulfireglanceditsraysthroughthe lattice，invitingthepassengerstoraisethelatch，andjointhe gossipknothuddledroundthehearth，beguilingthelongevening withlegendaryjokesandoft—toldChristmastales。 Oneoftheleastpleasingeffectsofmodernrefinementisthe havocithasmadeamongtheheartyoldholidaycustoms。Ithas completelytakenoffthesharptouchingsandspiritedreliefsofthese embellishmentsoflife，andhasworndownsocietyintoamoresmooth andpolished，butcertainlyalesscharacteristicsurface。Manyofthe gamesandceremonialsofChristmashaveentirelydisappeared，and， likethesherrissackofoldFalstaff，arebecomemattersof speculationanddisputeamongcommentators。Theyflourishedintimes fullofspiritandlustihood，whenmenenjoyedliferoughly，but heartilyandvigorously；timeswildandpicturesque，whichhave furnishedpoetrywithitsrichestmaterials，andthedramawithits mostattractivevarietyofcharactersandmanners。Theworldhas becomemoreworldly。Thereismoreofdissipation，andlessof enjoyment。Pleasurehasexpandedintoabroader，butashallower stream；andhasforsakenmanyofthosedeepandquietchannelswhere itflowedsweetlythroughthecalmbosomofdomesticlife。Societyhas acquiredamoreenlightenedandeleganttone；butithaslostmany ofitsstronglocalpeculiarities，itshomebredfeelings，itshonest firesidedelights。Thetraditionarycustomsofgolden—hearted antiquity，itsfeudalhospitalities，andlordlywassailings，have passedawaywiththebaronialcastlesandstatelymanor—housesin whichtheywerecelebrated。Theycomportedwiththeshadowyhall， thegreatoakengallery，andthetapestriedparlor，butareunfitted tothelightshowysaloonsandgaydrawing—roomsofthemodernvilla。 Shorn，however，asitis，ofitsancientandfestivehonors， ChristmasisstillaperiodofdelightfulexcitementinEngland。Itis gratifyingtoseethathomefeelingcompletelyarousedwhichholds sopowerfulaplaceineveryEnglishbosom。Thepreparationsmakingon everysideforthesocialboardthatisagaintounitefriendsand kindred；thepresentsofgoodcheerpassingandrepassing，those tokensofregard，andquickenersofkindfeelings；theevergreens distributedabouthousesandchurches，emblemsofpeaceand gladness；allthesehavethemostpleasingeffectinproducingfond associations，andkindlingbenevolentsympathies。Eventhesoundof theWaits，rudeasmaybetheirminstrelsy，breaksuponthemidwatches ofawinternightwiththeeffectofperfectharmony。AsIhavebeen awakenedbytheminthatstillandsolemnhour。\"whendeepsleep fallethuponman，\"Ihavelistenedwithahusheddelight，and， connectingthemwiththesacredandjoyousoccasion，havealmost fanciedthemintoanothercelestialchoir，announcingpeaceand good—willtomankind。 Howdelightfullytheimagination，whenwroughtuponbythesemoral influences，turnseverythingtomelodyandbeauty！Theverycrowing ofthecock，heardsometimesintheprofoundreposeofthecountry， \"tellingthenightwatchestohisfeatherydames，\"wasthoughtby thecommonpeopletoannouncetheapproachofthissacredfestival。 \"Somesaythatever’gainstthatseasoncomes WhereinourSavior’sbirthiscelebrated， Thisbirdofdawningsingethallnightlong； Andthen，theysay，nospiritdaresstirabroad； Thenightsarewholesome—thennoplanetsstrike， Nofairytakes，nowitchhathpowertocharm， Sohallow’dandsograciousisthetime。\" Amidstthegeneralcalltohappiness，thebustleofthespirits，and stiroftheaffections，whichprevailatthisperiod，whatbosomcan remaininsensible？Itis，indeed，theseasonofregeneratedfeeling— theseasonforkindling，notmerelythefireofhospitalityinthe hall，butthegenialflameofcharityintheheart。 Thesceneofearlyloveagainrisesgreentomemorybeyondthe sterilewasteofyears；andtheideaofhome，fraughtwiththe fragranceofhome—dwellingjoys，reanimatesthedroopingspirit；as theArabianbreezewillsometimeswaftthefreshnessofthedistant fieldstothewearypilgrimofthedesert。 StrangerandsojournerasIamintheland—thoughformeno socialhearthmayblaze，nohospitableroofthrowopenitsdoors， northewarmgraspoffriendshipwelcomemeatthethreshold—yetI feeltheinfluenceoftheseasonbeamingintomysoulfromthehappy looksofthosearoundme。Surelyhappinessisreflective，likethe lightofheaven；andeverycountenance，brightwithsmiles，and glowingwithinnocentenjoyment，isamirrortransmittingtoothers theraysofasupremeandever—shiningbenevolence。Hewhocanturn churlishlyawayfromcontemplatingthefelicityofhis fellow—beings，andcansitdowndarklingandrepininginhis lonelinesswhenallaroundisjoyful，mayhavehismomentsofstrong excitementandselfishgratification，buthewantsthegenialand socialsympathieswhichconstitutethecharmofamerryChristmas。 THEEND。 1819—20 THESKETCHBOOK ENGLISHWRITERSONAMERICA byWashingtonIrving \"MethinksIseeinmymindanobleandpuissantnation，rousing herselflikeastrongmanaftersleep，andshakingherinvincible locks：methinksIseeherasaneagle，mewinghermightyyouth，and kindlingherendazzledeyesatthefullmid—daybeam。\"MILTONONTHELIBERTYOFTHEPRESS。 ITISwithfeelingsofdeepregretthatIobservetheliterary animositydailygrowingupbetweenEnglandandAmerica。Great curiosityhasbeenawakenedoflatewithrespecttotheUnitedStates， andtheLondonpresshasteemedwithvolumesoftravelsthroughthe Republic；buttheyseemintendedtodiffuseerrorratherthan knowledge；andsosuccessfulhavetheybeen，that，notwithstandingthe constantintercoursebetweenthenations，thereisnopeople concerningwhomthegreatmassoftheBritishpublichavelesspure information，orentertainmorenumerousprejudices。 Englishtravellersarethebestandtheworstintheworld。Whereno motivesofprideorinterestintervene，nonecanequalthemfor profoundandphilosophicalviewsofsociety，orfaithfulandgraphical descriptionsofexternalobjects；butwheneithertheinterestor reputationoftheirowncountrycomesincollisionwiththatof another，theygototheoppositeextreme，andforgettheirusual probityandcandor，intheindulgenceofspleneticremark，andan illiberalspiritofridicule。 Hence，theirtravelsaremorehonestandaccurate，themoreremote thecountrydescribed。Iwouldplaceimplicitconfidenceinan Englishman’sdescriptionsoftheregionsbeyondthecataractsofthe Nile；ofunknownislandsintheYellowSea；oftheinteriorof India；orofanyothertractwhichothertravellersmightbeaptto pictureoutwiththeillusionsoftheirfancies；butIwould cautiouslyreceivehisaccountofhisimmediateneighbors，andof thosenationswithwhichheisinhabitsofmostfrequentintercourse。 HoweverImightbedisposedtotrusthisprobity，Idarenottrusthis prejudices。