"
The squire went on to lament the deplorable decay of the games and
amusements which were once prevalent at this season among the lower
orders, and countenanced by the higher; when the old halls of the
castles and manor-houses were thrown open at daylight; when the tables
were covered with brawn, and beef, and humming ale; when the harp
and the carol resounded all day long, and when rich and poor were
alike welcome to enter and make merry.* "Our old games and local
customs," said he, "had a great effect in making the peasant fond of
his home, and the promotion of them by the gentry made him fond of his
lord. They made the times merrier, and kinder, and better, and I can
truly say, with one of our old poets:
'I like them well- the curious preciseness
And all-pretended gravity of those
That seek to banish hence these harmless sports,
Have thrust away much ancient honesty.'
* "An English gentleman, at the opening of the great day, i. e. on
Christmas day in the morning, had all his tenants and neighbors
enter his hall by daybreak. The strong beer was broached, and the
blackjacks went plentifully about with toast, sugar and nutmeg, and
good Cheshire cheese. The Hackin (the great sausage) must be boiled by
daybreak, or else two young men must take the maiden (i.
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