| Share page |
|
— 150 —
derivation. Apprentices, journey men, and servant s, even of the higher class, such as butlers of the Inns of Court, had their boxes. John Taylor, the water poet, without due reverence of the law, compared Westminster Hall to a butler's box, at Christmas, amongst gamesters; for whosoever loseth the box will be sure to be a winner. Some of these were earthen boxes, with a slit to receive money, and was broken after the collection was made; similar boxes of wood may still be seen. Many entries may be found in old accounts of payments made in the nature of Christmas boxes, and the kings of France indeed used to give presents to their soldiers at this time. In the countries where the disgraceful practice of slavery yet remains, a young slave child would appear to be considered as a desirable present, and advertisements to the following effect may be occasionally seen, outraging the feelings, and showing an utter indifference to the common ties of humanity. " To be sold, a little mulatto, two years of age, very pretty, and well adapted for a festival present." It is to be presumed this " very pretty M child had a mother. Poor creature ! When will this abomination of man selling his fellow-man cease on the earth ? How would the slaveholders like to give the blacks their turn ? We may remember that about the time of Julius Caesar's wife, we have lately mentioned, and long before America was known, white slaves from Britain were imported into Rome, as valuable articles for the sports of the amphitheatres. However, we must leave slavery to the lash of ( Uncle Tom's Cabin;' but in describing a festival peculiarly commemorative of peace, good will, and freedom to man, one could not help raising a voice, however feeble, against such an evil.
In our younger days—addressing now of course those |
||