So with stout hearts may we ply the
oar, messmates all, till the voyage is over, and the Harbor of Rest is
found.
ROUND ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE.
The kindly Christmas tree, from which I trust every gentle reader has
pulled a bonbon or two, is yet all aflame whilst I am writing, and
sparkles with the sweet fruits of its season. You young ladies, may you
have plucked pretty giftlings from it; and out of the cracker sugarplum
which you have split with the captain or the sweet young curate may
you have read one of those delicious conundrums which the confectioners
introduce into the sweetmeats, and which apply to the cunning passion of
love. Those riddles are to be read at YOUR age, when I dare say they are
amusing. As for Dolly, Merry, and Bell, who are standing at the
tree, they don't care about the love-riddle part, but understand the
sweet-almond portion very well. They are four, five, six years old.
Patience, little people! A dozen merry Christmases more, and you will be
reading those wonderful love-conundrums, too. As for us elderly folks,
we watch the babies at their sport, and the young people pulling at
the branches: and instead of finding bonbons or sweeties in the packets
which WE pluck off the boughs, we find enclosed Mr.
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