THE Cromwell Argus. WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 22, 1869.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 7, 22 December 1869, Page 4

THE Cromwell Argus. WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 22, 1869.

Btfore another issue of the Cromwell Argus is presented to the public, Christmas, with all its hallowed reminiscences, will be upon us—Christmas, the anniversary of the happiest hours of our younger days, when, set free from school restraints, and re-united with father, mother, sisters, «nd brothers, in the old, well-remembered, arid dearly-loved home of our infancy, we revelled in the fulness of childhood's bliss —Christmas, the very name of which srouses in every being who has lived in a Christian land a thrill of pleasure which no words can describe, and to be without which would rob life of half its interest—Christmas, the season when of old business of every description was abandoned and forgotten, and men and women themselves up to worship and io social pleasure ami enjoyment of the Tory sweetest kind, enjoyment obtained at home, surrounded by relatives who never met, save at that particular time—Christmas, the season when the blazing hearth shone with a delicious light, never to be obtained from fire save at Christmas time, reflecting from the countenances of thousands a joy and heartfelt pleasure only experienced at Christmas; when the yule log, the song, the merry dance, and countless other enjoyments, conspired to banish <rare and ho crown the season with hilarity its to engrave upon the heart the recollection of joys so deep, so lasting, and so valued that they are never effaced. Effaced, did wo say—no, they are not; and the fact is one of the most honourable that man has <o his credit. The recollections and emotions r o which we have referrod form the better part of our fallen nature --the key-stone to mtV happiness—the bright spot in our exist4»iu;t—land our future wc.il or vr*w "ill V

largely governed by such influences. Yes, Christmas is upon us ; and tho fact has aroused us, and has inspired us to writo our preamble. We have hinted at the feelings which a review of our past lives produces, and it is but fitting that wo should also review the past year. Anniversaries with most people are occasions for particular review of the past. Remembrances are awakened which at another time do not influence the mind to the same extent: they do not possess tho same power, neither do they awaken the same emotion. Let us, then, review the year which has passed, and which in a few more days will have actually expired. It has been to some, perhaps, a year of prosperity: the world has used them well: practically, they have discovered the philosopher's stone: all they have been brought into contact with has turned to gold—their success has been complete —their losses nil; and in the tide of prosperity they have been swept away from the view of the opposite conditions which prevail around them amongst their fellow men. Others have during the past year descended the scale—have suffered losses, severe, unlooked for, and in some cases ruinous. The reason is to them obscure; and the memory of past successes makes it hard to bear. Others have lost friends—dearly loved ones. Fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, and children have been torn apart by the rude, relentless hand of death. A vacuum has been created which never can be filled up, however much time may deposit within it its healing influences; and another remembrance has been added to the already well-filled heart. The existence of the influences to which we have alluded forms at home, and in every settled comimmity, a strong and lasting bond of union. Friends at a distance who never meet, to a great extent forget each other, no opportunities being afforded to them of keeping up and renewing intimacies; and we greatly fear that in this Colony, and perhaps we may with safety say particularly in this Province, this sort of thing is by degrees being forgotten, and its importance ignored. Christmas here with many is hardly kept at all. In mosc places amusements are got up, and generally a holiday garb is -worn. -But there is not that absolute disregard for business during the few days shotted to Christmas Avhich we shpaui like to see ; in fact, a keener relish for money-making to possess men's minds than at almost any other time : and so Christmas here is turned into a market more than into a season for social enjoyment aud the meeting of friends. We have an object in making these remarks : we wish to draw public attention to the subject, so as to produce a change, and to establish a state of things more nearly allied to that which exists in the old country.

Our remarks have been, we fear, somewhat disjointed ; but from their general p\irport our readers will be able to understand what we mean ; and we shall now conclude by wishing our community, collectively and individually, " A Mekry Christmas akd a Happy Nbw Year."