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Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 515, 24 December 1877, Page 2

Cheistmas, with its concomitant festivities, is on our very threshold, after the passage of an eventful year in the history of this Colony and of the world. As usual, everybody seems bent on pleasure. The papers announce various opportunities of enjoying changes of scene and air for a mere song, and the shop windows are laden with the choicest of everything in season. The Colonial Christmas is somewhat a modification of Christmas in the "Old Country," because of the difference in season, climate, and social condition of the people. There is no "Yule log" here because there is no snow, and the festive board, although it may, in compliance with a time-honoured custom, comprise a roast of beef and plum pudding, will give evidences of ravages amongst the lighter edibles, more suitable for midsummer fare. The Anglo-Saxon Christmas is characterised by the gathering together of families, some of whose members probably meet only on such occasions : by the carolling of the waits ; the renewal of good fellowship, and the sinking into oblivion of animosity; the mistletoe bough with its pleasant accompaniments ; the happy-faced pleasureseekers, who, perhaps, only once a year see the outside of London ; the blazing fire which sheds its warmth on the e.ssembled merry-makers, and is rendered

all the more pleasant from the keenness of the snow-laden air; the holly-bedecked rooms ; and the Christmas-tree, food for children's thought till the happy season returns. This is how the opulent and the middle classes fare. How about the millions to whom the rigor of midwinter means misery and want ') They may look into the shop windows whore is displaj'ed Christmas cheer; but that is all ; and Christmastide —a season which bears on its wings every conceivable pleasure to others—adds to their wretchedness. It is not so in the colonies. Here we have no "poor." The colonial labourer may indulge in all the pleasures of Cirishnas, and each Chhristmas, with the exercise of industry and frugality, will see his position improving. It is usual at this season to kindly remember the sick, and those who may be in want from inability to help themselves. Let us enhance our enjoyment by assisting others according to our ability.