The town-clerk of Aberdeen bewails the suppression of old kindly
Christian customs at this time, as gentle Izaak Walton might have
done, if it had been vouchsafed to him to exercise his rod upon the
Dee. Whereas, in former times, Christmas or Yule-day had been observed
with preachings, and praises, and thanksgiving, ‘in remembrance of the
birth of our blessed Saviour,’ and friends and neighbours made merry
with each other and had good cheer, ‘now this day,’ says Spalding,
‘no such preachings nor such meetings with merriness, walking up and
down,’ in Aberdeen, but, on the contrair, it was ‘commanded to be
keepit as ane work-day, ilk burgess to keep his booth, ilk craftsman
his wark, feasting and idleset forbidden out of pulpits.... The people
was otherwise inclined, but durst not disobey; yet little merchandise
was sold, and as little work done on this day in either Aberdeens. The
colliginers and other scholars keep the school against their wills.’
* * * * *
[Sidenote: 1642.