Page 9 - HSLChristmasAnthology

HSL Christmas Anthology Page9

Hot and Cold Weather Customs, excerpt

by Harriet Martineau, from Restrospect of Western Travel (1838)

I was present at the introduction into the new country of the
spectacle of the German Christmas-tree. My little friend Charley
and three companions had been long preparing for this pretty show.
The cook had broken her eggs carefully in the middle for some
weeks past, that Charley might have the shells for cups; and these
cups were gilded and coloured very prettily. I rather think it was,
generally speaking, a secret out of the house; but I knew what to
expect. It was a Newyear's tree, however; for I could not go on
Christmas-eve, and it was kindly settled that New-year's-eve would
do as well. We were sent for before dinner, and we took up two
round-faced boys by the way. Early as it was, we were all so busy
that we could scarcely spare a respectful attention to our plum-
pudding. It was desirable that our preparations should be
completed before the little folks should begin to arrive; and we were
all engaged in sticking on the last of the seven dozen of wax-tapers,

and in filling the gilded egg-cups and gay paper cornucopiae with
comfits, lozenges, and barley-sugar. The tree was the top of a young
fir, planted in a tub, which was ornamented with moss. Smart dolls
and other whimsies glittered in the evergreen, and there was not a
twig which had not something sparkling upon it. When the sound of
wheels was heard, we had just finished; and we shut up the tree by
itself in the front drawing-room, while we went into the other, trying
to look as if nothing was going to happen. Charley looked a good
deal like himself, only now and then twisting himself about in an
unaccountable fit of giggling. It was a very large party; for, besides
the tribes of children, there were papas and mammas, uncles,
aunts, and elder sisters. When all were come we shut out the cold;
the great fire burned clearly; the tea and coffee were as hot as
possible, and the cheeks of the little ones grew rosier and their eyes
brighter every moment. It had been settled that, in order to cover
our designs, I was to resume my vocation of teaching Christmas
games after tea, while Charley's mother and her maids went to light
up the front room. So all found seats, many of the children on the