Ten Thousand Wonderful Things / Comprising whatever is marvellous and rare, curious, eccentric and extraordinary in all ages and nations

by Unknown

BYGONE CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS.

——————"Now, too, is heard

The hapless cripple, tuning through the streets

His carol new; and oft, amid the gloom

Of midnight hours, prevail th' accustom'd sounds

Of wakeful waits, whose harmony (composed

Of hautboy, organ, violin, and flute,

And various other instruments of mirth),

Is meant to celebrate the coming time."