A Hundred Years Ago
THE " SPECTATOR," DECEMBER 24TH, 1831.
London is busy with the important preparations for Christmas- Shall we be thought to sermonize, if we ask our readers, at this season of general joy and rejoicing, in commemoration of that event which brought peace and good-will down from heaven to dwell upon earth with undeserving men, to follow the charitable advice of the correspondent whose letter we gave some few weeks ago—to send round portions from house to house, so that the poor and the needy and the forsaken may be merry in heart, on a day which is meant to be distinguished as one of universal gladness ? Kindness, on such an occasion, is not apt to be misbestowed, or ungratefully received, or injuriously interpreted. A bit of beef—a loaf of bread—a gallon of beer—are the purchase of a few shillings ; and these will go farther to knit the bands of good-will between the rich and the poor, bestowed on Christmas-day, than ten times the sum doled out in cold alms in the course of tho year. If there be any to whom these suggestions appear good, and who may not receive them in time to act on them, we would remind such, that though Christmas comes but once a year, New-year's day comes a week after it, and New. year's day is also a clay of national enjoyment.
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