It was obvious to all that his constitution was broken, and that he had brought back to his home but the wreck of that manly form and dauntless spirit which characterized him in earlier days. The joy of his wife and family, at his return, was chastened by this change in his appearance; but they were still overflowing with gratitude, and content once more settled upon the group around the fireside.
Colonel Joinly now returned to his medical practice, devoting a large share of his attention to the public interests, and especially to the means of improving the condition of the American prisoners at New York. His shattered fortunes were, however, never repaired. The remainder of his life was spent in comparative poverty and the imperfect health which attends a broken constitution. Still, he never repined, but found compensation and consolation in the consciousness of having discharged his duty, and in the cheering reflection that his sacrifices had been made in behalf of that arduous, yet successful struggle which resulted in the independence of his country.
This famous holiday takes place on the 25th of December. It is little observed, at the present day, in comparison of what it was in former times. Even in England, it is now chiefly celebrated by family parties and services in the churches, these being decorated with evergreens. In this country, it is little noticed, except by persons belonging either to the Catholic or Episcopal church.
In former times it was otherwise, especially in England. The day was then celebrated, in that country, by a great variety of merry customs. It was common, in those days, for persons, called mummers, to promenade the streets, dressed up in masks, and representing fantastic characters. A group of these jesters would sometimes go about, representing Old Father Christmas, with a long beard, white shoes, high-crowned hat, with scarfs and garters tied around it, and a drum beating before him.
He was attended by a numerous family of children, among whom Roast-beef, Plum-pudding, &c., were conspicuous. There was another character in this group, called Misrule, who was a great rowdy, and made a vast deal of sport on these occasions. He was a great fat fellow, with an enormous hat, and he strutted forward, playing on a musical instrument. These maskers went from place to place, during Christmas, exciting a great deal of mirth and amusement wherever they went.
As Christmas is the anniversary of the birth of our Saviour, we cannot see much propriety in these amusements, and we think it is well that they have passed away. There was another custom, that of singing Christmas carols, which is also laid aside.