Now each mechanical man Hath a cupboard of plate for show : Which was a rare thing then, When this old cap was new. We have been unable to trace the original source from whence the following old ballad has been derived; but in all probability it was written just after the Restoration, when the limits, within which the festivities of the season had been confined by the over-zealous Puritans, were overstepped, and something like a revival of the old hospitality began to show itself. A paragraph, which appears to form a regular accompaniment of the old ballad, describes it to be "a looking-glass for rich misers, wherein they may see (if not blind) how much they are to blame for their penurious housekeeping; and likewise an encouragement to those noble-minded gentry, who lay out a great part of their estate in hospitality, relieving such persons as have need thereof. Who feasts the poor, a true reward shall find, OLD CHRISTMAS RETURNED. ALL you that to feasting and mirth are inclined, He scorns to be guilty of starving a mouse! Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minced pies, and roast beef. OLD CHRISTMAS RETURNED. A long time together he hath been forgot, But now he's returned you shall have, in brief, The times were ne'er good since old Christmas was fled, And all hospitality hath been so dead, No mirth at our festivals late did appear, They scarcely would part with a cup of March beer; The butler and baker, they now may be glad, The times they are mended, though they have been bad; The brewer, he likewise may be of good cheer, He shall have good trading for ale and strong beer; All trades shall be jolly, and have, for relief, The holly and ivy about the walls wind, And show that we ought to our neighbours be kind, Inviting each other for pastime and sport, And where we best fare, there we most do resort. We fail not for victuals, and that of the chief, Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minced pies, and roast beef. The cooks shall be busied by day and by night In roasting and boiling, for taste and delight; They still are employed for to dress us, in brief, Although the cold weather doth hunger provoke, Then haste to the kitchen, for diet the chief— All travellers, as they do pass on their way, Now Mock-beggar Hall it no more shall stand empty, The court, and the city, and country are glad Whilst others are feasting with diet the chief- Those that have no coin at the cards for to play, May sit by the fire and pass time away, OLD CHRISTMAS RETURNED. And drink of their moisture contented and free- Young gallants and ladies shall foot it along, And each country swain trip about with his lass; The cooks and the scullion, who toil in their frocks, Yea, those that are charged to find all relief, Then well may we welcome Old Christmas to town, Then let all curmudgeons, who dote on their wealth, WASSAILING FRUIT TREES. The custom of Wassailing the fruit trees on the eve of Twelfth-day has been before alluded to. It seems to have been the practice, on the part of the Devonshire farmers, to proceed to their orchards in the evening, accompanied by their farm servants, and carrying with them a large pitcher or milk-pail filled with cyder, with roasted apples hissing therein. They forthwith encircled one of the best bearing trees, and drunk the following toast three times. The remains of the wassailing liquor was then thrown against the trees, under the idea that a fruitful year would be the result. "HERE's to thee, old apple-tree, Whence thou may'st bud, and thou may'st blow! |