The speaker assumes that the observance of the day is becoming obsolete,
and that there are persons who wish it to die out. The assumption, though
rather strained, affords the opportunity to demolish this man of straw.
"All other kings may go, but no one can spare King Christmas, or St.
Nicholas, his prime minister. School-rooms and nurseries would rebel.
And plum pudding is too strongly entrenched in Church and State to be
dislodged. Washington Irving, with his _Sketch Book_, would protest.
Best argument of all is the worth of the Christmas entertainments. Here's
to the Festival of Festivals, and long may its honors be done by such hosts
as entertain us to-day."