2-979-765 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Christmas Supplement - Christmas For Ever!, 1857. 'We have seen good old customs abolished, To our anger, vexation, and grief; May we ne'er grow so dainty and polished As at Christmas to fall from roast beef. Nor be driven, by dandified sneering, Unessential plum pudding to deem, And to look on its smoke disappearing, From the board, as improvement in steam, From adorning our houses with holly Let us never be scared by the goose Who says 'tis an old-fashioned folly, And wants to know what is its use? Let the mistletoe, too, be suspended Over lasses and lads as of yore, And with blind-man's-buff Christmas attended Whoever may vote it a bore. Let a log be consumed in all houses, Notwithstanding there's plenty of coal; And 'twere jolly, at Christmas carouses, If roast crabs [crab apples] still could hiss in the bowl'. From "Illustrated London News", 1857.