Christmas
IT would not be consistent with the proposed character of this work to enlarge on the Christian dispensation, as connected with the sacred feast of Christmas; to show Christianity as old as the Creation; that the fall of man naturally involved his punishment; and hence the vic...
SEVERAL of the circumstances referred to in the carols, may also be found in the early mysteries, and are probably handed down from them, or from some legend common to both. Som...
10. CHAPTER X.THE term carol, appears originally to have signified a song, joined with a dance, a union frequently found in early religious ceremonies; and it is used in this sense by Chaucer...
6. CHAPTER VI.PLAYS and other Christmas festivities continued throughout the reign of James the First; and amongst others we find ‘Measure for Measure,’ and the ‘Plaie of Errors,’ by Shaxberd...
4. CHAPTER IV.WHEN Henry the Eighth came to the throne the festivities at Christmas, as well as those at other seasons, were kept with great splendour. He was then young, of manly address, an...
2. CHAPTER II.THE Anglo-Norman kings introduced increased splendour at this festival, as they did on all other occasions; the king wearing his crown and robes of state, and the prelates and n...
1. CHAPTER I.IT would not be consistent with the proposed character of this work to enlarge on the Christian dispensation, as connected with the sacred feast of Christmas; to show Christiani...
5. CHAPTER V.ALTHOUGH in the short reign of Edward the Sixth, the splendour of the royal Christmasses was, in general, somewhat reduced, yet, in 1551-2, there was one of the most magnificent...
3. CHAPTER III.his historical plays have probably supplied many with their principal knowledge of the early annals of our country, from King Lear downwards; and we must not quarrel with the dr...
7. CHAPTER VII.WE have observed that the churchwardens of St. Margaret’s, Westminster, were fined in 1647 for decorating their church at Christmas. The practice, as before referred to, existed...
8. CHAPTER VIII.THE masks and pageants at court appear to have been gradually abandoned from the time of the Restoration, as before mentioned. They were succeeded by grand feasts and entertainm...
9. CHAPTER IX.THE subjects of the offerings at the Epiphany, with the accompanying legend of the Three Kings or Magi, and that of carol singing, require so much space that it has been thought...
15. ACT II.—SCENE II.O, horrible! terrible! the like was never seen— A man drove out of seven senses into fifteen; And out of fifteen into fourscore! O, horrible! terrible! the like was ne’er before.
14. ACT II.—SCENE I._Doct._ Yes, my liege, I will thee obey, And by my sword I hope to win the day: Yonder stands he who has kill’d my master’s son; I’ll see if he be sprung from royal blood, And t...
13. ACT I.—SCENE II.Room, room, brave gallants, give us room to sport, For in this room we have a mind to resort— Resort, and to repeat to you our merry rhyme, For remember, good sirs, this is _Chr...
12. ACT I.—SCENE I.SILENCE, brave gentlemen; if you will give me an eye, _Alexander_ is my name, I’ll sing the Tragedy; A ramble here I took, the country for to see, Three actors here I’ve brought...