ΤΟ RICHARD HEBER, Esq. Mertoun-House, Christmas HEAP on more wood!-the wind is chill; But let it whistle as it will, We'll keep our Christmas merry still. '[Mertoun-House, the seat of Hugh Scott, Esq. of Harden, is beautifully situated on the Tweed, about two miles below Dryburgh Abbey.] 'The Iol of the heathen Danes (a word still applied to Christmas in Scotland) was solemnized with great festivity. The humour of the Danes at table displayed itself in pelting each other with bones; and Torfæus tells a long and curious story, in the History of Hrolfe Kraka, of one Hottus, an inmate of the Court of Denmark, who was so generally assailed with these missiles, that he constructed, out of the bones with which he was overwhelmed, a very respectable intrenchment, against those who continued the raillery. The dances of the northern warriors round the great fires of pine-trees, are commemorated by Olaus Magnus, who says, they danced with such fury, holding each other by the hands, that, if the grasp of any failed, he was pitched into the fire with the velocity of a sling. The sufferer, on such obliged to quaff off a occasions, was instantly plucked out, and certain measure of ale, as a penalty for "spoiling the king's fire," 1 Then in his low and pine-built hall, While round, in brutal jest, were thrown While scalds yell'd out the joys of fight. And well our Christian sires of old Domestic and religious rite Gave honour to the holy night; On Christmas eve the bells were rung; Saw the stoled priest the chalice rear.' 1In Roman Catholic countries, mass is never said at night, except on Christmas eve. Each of the frolics with which that holyday used to be celebrated, might admit of a long and curious note; but I shall content myself with the following description of Christmas, and his attributes, as personified in one of Ben Jonson's Masques for the Court. 66 · Enter CHRISTMAS, with two or three of the Guard. He is attired in round hose, long stockings, a close doublet, a highcrowned hat, with a brooch, a long thin beard, a truncheon, little The damsel donn'd her kirtle sheen; Then open'd wide the Baron's hall The vulgar game of "post and pair." ruffs, white shoes, his scarfs and garters tied cross, and his drum beaten before him. - The names of his children, with their attires: Miss-Rule, in a velvet cap, with a sprig, a short cloak, great yellow ruff, like a reveller; his torch-bearer bearing a rope, a cheese, and a basket; — Caroll, a long tawny coat, with a red cap, and a flute at his girdle; his torch-bearer carrying a songbook open;- Minc'd-pie, like a fine cook's wife, drest neat, her man carrying a pie, dish, and spoons; - Gamboll, like a tumbler, with a hoop and bells; his torch-bearer arm'd with cole-staff, and blinding cloth; - Post and Pair, with a pair-royal of aces in his hat, his garment all done over with pairs and purs; his squire carrying a box, cards, and counters; - New-year's-Gift, in a bluc coat, serving-man like, with an orange, and a sprig of rosemary gilt on his head, his hat full of brooches, with a collar of gingerbread; his torch-bearer carrying a march-pain, with a bottle of wine on either arm; — Mumming, in a masquing pied suit, with a visor; his torch-bearer carrying the box, and ringing it;-Wassal, like a neat sempster and songster; her page bearing a brown bowl, drest with ribbands, and rosemary, before her;Offering, in a short gown, with a porter's staff in his hand; a wyth borne before him, and a bason, by his torch-bearer;- Baby Cocke, drest like a boy, in a fine long coat, biggin, bib, muckender, and a little dagger; his usher bearing a great cake, with a bean and a pease." EE |