old christmas-第5章
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ost the only instance in which he had ever heard his father meddle with politics； and he believed that he had got this notion from a member of Parliament who once passed a few weeks with him。 The Squire was glad of any argument to defend his clipped yew…trees and formal terraces； which had been occasionally attacked by modern landscape gardeners。
As we approached the house； we heard the sound of music； and now and then a burst of laughter from one end of the building。 This； Bracebridge said； must proceed from the servants' hall； where a great deal of revelry was permitted； and even encouraged； by the Squire throughout the twelve days of Christmas； provided everything was done comformably to ancient usage。 Here were kept up the old games of hoodman blind； shoe the wild mare； hot cockles； steal the white loaf； bob apple and snapdragon： the Yule log and Christmas candle were regularly burnt； and the mistletoe； with its white berries； hung up to the imminent peril of all the pretty housemaids。*
* See Note A。
So intent were the servants upon their sports； that we had to ring repeatedly before we could make ourselves heard。 On our arrival being announced； the Squire came out to receive us； accompanied by his two other sons； one a young officer in the army； home on leave of absence； the other an Oxonian； just from the University。 The Squire was a fine； healthy…looking old gentleman； with silver hair curling lightly round an open； florid countenance； in which a physiognomist； with the advantage； like myself； of a previous hint or two； might discover a singular mixture of whim and benevolence。
The family meeting was warm and affectionate； as the evening was far advanced； the Squire would not permit us to change our travelling dresses； but ushered us at once to the company； which was assembled in a large old…fashioned hall。 It was composed of different branches of a numerous family connection； where there were the usual proportion of old uncles and aunts； comfortably married dames； superannuated spinsters； blooming country cousins； half…fledged striplings； and bright…eyed boarding…school hoydens。 They were variously occupied； some at a round game of cards； others conversing around the fireplace； at one end of the hall was a group of the young folks； some nearly grown up； others of a more tender and budding age； fully engrossed by a merry game； and a profusion of wooden horses； penny trumpets； and tattered dolls； about the floor； showed traces of a troop of little fairy beings； who； having frolicked through a happy day； had been carried off to slumber through a peaceful night。
While the mutual greetings were going on between Bracebridge and his relatives； I had time to scan the apartment。 I have called it a hall； for so it had certainly been in old times； and the Squire had evidently endeavoured to restore it to something of its primitive state。 Over the heavy projecting fireplace was suspended a picture of a warrior in armour standing by a white horse； and on the opposite wall hung helmet； buckler； and lance。 At one end an enormous pair of antlers were inserted in the wall； the branches serving as hooks on which to suspend hats； whips； and spurs； and in the corners of the apartment were fowling…pieces； fishing…rods； and other sporting implements。 The furniture was of the cumbrous workmanship of former days； though some articles of modern convenience had been added； and the oaken floor had been carpeted； so that the whole presented an odd mixture of parlour and hall。
The grate had been removed from the wide overwhelming fireplace； to make way for a fire of wood； in the midst of which was an enormous log glowing and blazing； and sending forth a vast volume of light and heat； this I understood was the Yule…log； which the Squire was particular in having brought in and illumined on a Christmas eve； according to ancient custom。*
* See Note B。
It was really delightful to see the old Squire seated in his hereditary elbow…chair by the hospitable fireside of his ancestors； and looking around him like the sun of a system； beaming warmth and gladness to every heart。 Even the very dog that lay stretched at his feet； as he lazily shifted his position and yawned； would look fondly up in his master's face； wag his tail against the floor； and stretch himself again to sleep； confident of kindness and protection。 There is an emanation from the heart in genuine hospitality which cannot be described； but is immediately felt； and puts the stranger at once at his ease。 I had not been seated many minutes by the comfortable hearth of the worthy cavalier before I found myself as much at home as if I had been one of the family。
Supper was announced shortly after our arrival。 It was served up in a spacious oaken chamber； the panels of which shone with wax； and around which were several family portraits decorated with holly and ivy。 Beside the accustomed lights； two great wax tapers； called Christmas candles； wreathed with greens； were placed on a highly…polished buffet among the family plate。 The table was abundantly spread with substantial fare； but the Squire made his supper of frumenty； a dish made of wheat cakes boiled in milk with rich spices； being a standing dish in old times for Christmas eve。 I was happy to find my old friend； minced…pie； in the retinue of the feast； and finding him to be perfectly orthodox； and that I need not be ashamed of my predilection； I greeted him with all the warmth wherewith we usually greet an old and very genteel acquaintance。
The mirth of the company was greatly promoted by the humours of an eccentric personage whom Mr。 Bracebridge always addressed with the quaint appellation of Master Simon。 He was a tight； brisk little man； with the air of an arrant old bachelor。 His nose was shaped like the bill of a parrot； his face slightly pitted with the smallpox； with a dry perpetual bloom on it； like a frost…bitten leaf in autumn。 He had an eye of great quickness and vivacity； with a drollery and lurking waggery of expression that was irresistible。 He was evidently the wit of the family； dealing very much in sly jokes and innuendoes with the ladies； and making infinite merriment by harpings upon old themes； which； unfortunately； my ignorance of the family chronicles did not permit me to enjoy。 It seemed to be his great delight during supper to keep a young girl next him in a continual agony of stifled laughter； in spite of her awe of the reproving looks of her mother； who sat opposite。 Indeed； he was the idol of the younger part of the company； who laughed at everything he said or did； and at every turn of his countenance。 I could not wonder at it； for he must have been a miracle of accomplishments in their eyes。 He could imitate Punch and Judy； make an old woman of his hand； with the assistance of a burnt cork and pocket…handkerchief： and cut an orange into such a ludicrous caricature； that the young folks were ready to die with laughing。
I was let briefly into his history by Frank Bracebridge。 He was an old bachelor of a small independent income； which by careful management was sufficient for all his wants。 He revolved through the family system like a vagrant comet in its orbit； sometimes visiting one branch； and sometimes another quite remote； as is often the case with gentlemen of extensive connections and small fortunes in England。 He had a chirping； buoyant disposition； always enjoying the present moment； and his frequent change of scene and company prevented his acquiring those rusty unacommodating habits with which old bachelors are so uncharitably charged。 He was a complete family chronicle； being versed in the genealogy； history； and intermarriages of the whole house of Bracebridge； which made him a great favourite with the old folks； he was a beau of all the elder ladies and superannuated spinsters； among whom he was habitually considered rather a young fellow； and he was a master of the revels among the children； so that there was not a more popular being in the sphere in which he moved than Mr。 Simon Bracebridge。 Of late years he had resided almost entirely with the Squire； to whom he had become a factotum； and whom he particularly delighted by jumping with hi
