152 THE HOLLY-BUSH. 



men*. Is now intolerably vulgar, insupportably 

 childish, and popishly superstitious, to deck our 

 houses of Christmas-tide with the shining holly, the 

 absence of which was almost unknown among some 

 who may yet be proved to have excelled in true wis- 

 dom this our vaunted age of reason. I have fought 

 many battles with my pious friends, in defence of 

 my pertinacious adherence to this good old cus- 

 tom. Sorry should I be, to leave the holly uncrop- 

 ped, or the house unadorned with its bright honours, 

 on that most blessed anniversary. Roast beef and 

 plum-pudding, home-brewed ale, and Christmas 

 berries, have certainly, no necessary connection 

 with the spiritual aspirations required of us ; and 

 which the renewed heart will delight in breathing 

 forth, while reminded, in the beautiful services of 

 our scriptural church, that on the occasion com- 

 memorated, a great multitude of the heavenly host 

 disdained not to take the lead in songs that were 

 made for poor sinners of the dust, " Glory to God 

 in the highest, on earth peace, good-will towards 

 men." But this I will maintain, that our non-ob- 

 servance of ancient usages is any thing but a proof 

 of growing spirituality of feeling ; and I very much 

 question whether those who contemn the sprigs of 

 ' Christmas' stuck over my mantle-piece in hon- 

 our of this precious festival, are wiser than the 

 disciples of old, who cut down branches of palm- 

 trees, and strewed them in the way. 



