He is not too proud to enter Your house though it be mean; Yet is company fit for a courtier, And is welcomed by the Queen! He can tell you a hundred stories Of the Old World's whims and ways, And how they merrily wish'd him joy In our fathers' courting days. He laughs with the heartiest laughter That does one good to hear; 'Tis a pity so brave an old fellow Should come but once a year! But once, then, let us be ready, With all that he can desire-- With plenty of holly and ivy, And a huge log for the fire; With plenty of noble actions, And plenty of warm good-will; With our hearts as full of kindness As the board we mean to fill. With plenty of store in the larder, And plenty of wine in the bin; And plenty of mirth for the kitchen; Then open and let him in! Oh, he is a fine old fellow-- His heart's in the truest place; You may know that at once by the children, Who glory to see his face. For he never forgets the children, They all are dear to him; You'll see that with wonderful presents His pockets are cramm'd to the brim. Nor will he forget the servants, Whether you've many or one; Nor the poor old man at the corner; Nor the widow who lives alone. He is rich as a Jew, is Old Christmas, I wish he would make me his heir; But he has plenty to do with his money, And he is not given to spare. Not he--bless the good old fellow! He hates to hoard his pelf; He wishes to make all people As gay as he is himself. So he goes to the parish unions-- North, south, and west and east-- And there he gives the paupers, At his own expense a feast. He gives the old men tobacco, And the women a cup of tea; And he takes the pauper children, And dances them on his knee. I wish you could see those paupers Sit down to his noble cheer, You would wish, like them, and no wonder, That he stay'd the livelong year. Yes, he is the best old fellow That ever on earth you met; And he gave us a boon when first he came Which we can never forget. So we will give him a welcome Shall gladden his old heart's core! And let us in good and gracious deeds Resemble him more and more! _December 21, 1850._ WASSAILING THE APPLE-TREES. Writing on this subject, in the _Antiquary_, March, 1895, Mr. Harry Hems, of Exeter, introduces the reduced copy of an illustration which appears on the following page, and which he states was published in the _Illustrated London News_, January 11, 1851.