12.13.07
“God Bless Us, Everyone!”
In my collection of ephemera, there is a booklet entitled, “Christmas with Charles Dickens.” Undated, it is “foxed” with yellow age spots and has been in the family for as long as I can remember. It was produced by two women who owned a book selling business, one of whom was a friend of my mother. I’d like to share the “Prologue” with you. It is as follows:
Most of us like to think that the traditional holiday customs, such as the use of holly and mistletoe, yule logs, candles and the singing of Christmas carols have come down to us uninterruptedly from medieval times.
Ungilded history tells us otherwise. It required a mighty voice heard ’round the world to resurrect and preserve the hallowed observances which add so much richness to this most wonderful of seasons. The voice was that of Charles Dickens.
Then, the booklet explains that the writing is offered in print type that is 12 point Bodoni, spaced in the same manner as the original edition of “A Christmas Carol,” published in 1843.
The next page goes on to say that Dickens’ story did more for Christmas than for any other piece of literature ever written, save the Holy Bible. Continuing the discussion, a synopsis of the story is offered.
The booklet recounts the lesser-known Dickens’ stories, “Cricket on the Hearth,” and “Pickwick Papers.” What a delightful bit on writing these few pages offer, complete with wonderful illustrations! The cover of the booklet has a tasseled binding and a front cover that has an elegant pen and ink, colored drawing of a horse and coach, with a be-scarved trumpeter, standing on top of the conveyance.
This booklet was evidently a product that was printed to be given away for the purpose of promoting this particular business. What charm, what elegance, what class!
The epilogue of the small booklet reminds us to live each day as we do during the Christmas season, “governed by the spirit of Christian charity, which is the spirit of Christmas itself.”
Dickens singlehandedly took on the Puritans who had formerly banned the celebration of Christmas in any non-religious way. That included feasting, closing shops, or lighting Yule candles. Dickens transformed the holiday into a happy time of sharing. In the words of Dickens’ small character, Tiny Tim, “God Bless Us, Everyone!”
Patricia Cummings
