But in the depth of winter, when Nature
lies despoiled of every charm and wrapped in her shroud of
sheeted snow, we turn for our gratifications to moral sources.
The dreariness and desolation of the landscape, the short gloomy
days and darksome nights, while they circumscribe our wanderings,
shut in our feelings also from rambling abroad, and make us more
keenly disposed for the pleasure of the social circle. Our
thoughts are more concentrated; our friendly sympathies more
aroused. We feel more sensibly the charm of each other's society,
and are brought more closely together by dependence on each other
for enjoyment. Heart calleth unto heart, and we draw our
pleasures from the deep wells of loving-kindness which lie in the
quiet recesses of our bosoms, and which, when resorted to,
furnish forth the pure element of domestic felicity.
The pitchy gloom without makes the heart dilate on entering the
room filled with the glow and warmth of the evening fire. The
ruddy blaze diffuses an artificial summer and sunshine through
the room, and lights up each countenance in a kindlier welcome.
Where does the honest face of hospitality expand into a broader
and more cordial smile, where is the shy glance of love more
sweetly eloquent, than by the winter fireside? and as the hollow
blast of wintry wind rushes through the hall, claps the distant
door, whistles about the casement, and rumbles down the chimney,
what can be more grateful than that feeling of sober and
sheltered security with which we look round upon the comfortable
chamber and the scene of domestic hilarity?
The English, from the great prevalence of rural habit throughout
every class of society, have always been found of those festivals
and holidays, which agreeably interrupt the stillness of country
life, and they were, in former days, particularly observant of
the religious and social rites of Christmas.
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