98 December. 
snow is on the ground, a thick sheet of ice is on the 
ponds and lakes, and the trees are laden with snowy 
crystals. In-doors the enjoyment is even greater. 
What a scene at Christmas-tide, 
“Which now is returned, when we shall have, in brief, 
Plum pudding, goose, turkey, minced pies, and roast beef;” 
with the Christmas games, the kisses under the mistle¬ 
toe, and the merry dance, finishing the evening with 
the ever-welcome “ Sir Roger de Coverley.” 
December, like the preceding three months, derives 
its name from the place which it held in the ancient 
Roman Calendar—the tenth month in the year. The 
Saxons termed it Winter-monat, or Winter Month ; 
but, after their conversion to Christianity, they named 
it Heligh-monat , or Holy Month, in allusion to the 
birth of our Saviour. 
There is now little vegetation going on, except in 
conservatories, under glass. We have, nevertheless, 
the “ Christmas-rose,” or black hellebore (a beautiful 
flower), the yellow jasmine, and others, in full perfec¬ 
tion. The winter-flowering larustinus is in bloom, and 
we have the holly, with its fruit of coral, and the sacred 
mistletoe, with its berries of pearl, which glow so 
brightly in the Christmas decorations in our homes 
and our churches. 
