This month will be characterized by the general issuing of dinner
invitations to dine all classes, exclusive of those to whom a dinner is
really an object.
On Christmas Eve, Watkins will bring several friends home with him to
partake of egg-flip, assuring them that he always makes egg-flip on
Christmas Eve, because his father did so before him, and there is
nothing like keeping up those good old customs. The egg-flip will be
made—its component parts being table beer, gin, butter, eggs, sugar,
nutmeg, and other bilious materials. The friends will be compelled to
drink an immense quantity of it, and, when quite ill, will be dismissed
by the host calling on Heaven to bless them, and wishing them a merry
Christmas. The friends will think Watkins the best fellow in the world,
and not see for a moment the bitter mockery of his parting wish.
The Sowster family will spend Christmas Day admirably. Old Sowster likes
to have all his family about him on this occasion, that they may be
cheerful and united, without the interference of strangers, at least
once a year. He will go to sleep immediately after dinner, and not wake
up till supper time. Jack and Bob Sowster, disgusted at having had to
refuse so many nice invitations, because the old boy insisted on it,
will sulk for the whole day. The Misses Sowster will pick quarrels with
them, having nobody else's brothers to talk to in a more agreeable
manner.
Other people will spend Christmas in a more jovial and agreeable manner.
We will for one; and we are sure that the intelligent reader, holding
this volume in his (or her) hand, will for another.