gladiatorial skill in the use of the intellectual weapons, we profess ourselves no admirers. But he who pursues in the track of a receding custom,--which is valuable either as an historical illustration or because of its intrinsic beauty, moral or picturesque,--is an antiquary of the beneficent kind; and he who assists in restoring observances which had a direct tendency to propagate a feeling of brotherhood and a spirit of benevolence, is a higher benefactor still. Right joyous festivals there have been amongst us, which England will be none the merrier--and kindly ones which she will be none the better--for losing. The following pages will give some account of that season which has, at all times since the establishment of Christianity, been most crowded with observances, and whose celebration is still the most conspicuous and universal with us, as well as throughout the whole of Christendom. FOOTNOTE: [1] The late John Malcolm, of Edinburgh. Part First. THE CHRISTMAS SEASON. [Illustration: "MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU!"--_Page 29._] THE CHRISTMAS SEASON. This Book of Christmas is a sound and good persuasion for gentlemen, and all wealthy men, to keep a good Christmas. A HA! CHRISTMAS! BY T. H. LONDON, 1647. Any man or woman . . . that can give any knowledge, or tell any tidings, of an old, old, very old gray-bearded gentleman, called Christmas, who was wont to be a verie familiar ghest, and visite all sorts of people both pore and rich, and used to appeare in glittering gold, silk, and silver, in the Court, and in all shapes in the Theater in Whitehall, and had ringing, feasts, and jollitie in all places, both in the citie and countrie, for his comming: . . . whosoever can tel what is become of him, or where he may be found, let them bring him back againe into England. AN HUE AND CRY AFTER CHRISTMAS. IN Ben Jonson's "Mask of Christmas," presented before the court in 1616,--wherein the ancient gentleman so earnestly inquired after in one of the quotations which heads this chapter, and a number of his children, compose the _dramatis personæ_,--that venerable personage (who describes himself as "Christmas, Old Christmas, Christmas of London, and Captain Christmas") is made to give a very significant hint to some parties who fail to receive him with due ceremony, which hint we will, in all courtesy, bestow upon our readers. "I have seen the time you have wished for me," says he; . . . "and now you have me, they would not let me in. I must come another time!--a good jest! _As if I could come more than once a year!_" Over and over again, too, has this same very pregnant argument been enforced in the words of the old ballad, quoted in the "Vindication of Christmas,"-- "Let's dance and sing, and make good cheer, For _Christmas comes but once a year_!"