Christmas in the Old World

The English have always been fond of those festivals and holidays which agreeably interrupt the stillness of country life. The old halls of castles and manor houses resounded with the harp and the Christmas carol. Even the poorest cottage welcomed the festive season with green decorations of bay and holly. Many of the games and ceremonies of Christmas have entirely disappeared, and like the sherry sack of old Falstaff have become matters of speculation and dispute among commentators.