THE
Y U L E L O G.
A SERIES OF STORIES
FOR THE YOUNG.
NEW YORK:
STANFORD & DELISSER, 508 BROADWAY.
1859.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the Year 1858, by
STANFORD AND DELISSER,
In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United
States for the Southern District of New York.
INTRODUCTION.
IT was an old custom, and one that still holds in many parts of England,to cut and dry, in order for burning, an enormous log, or “clog,” as itwas anciently called; the trunk or root of a very large tree wasgenerally used, which on “Merrie” Christmas Eve was paraded into thehouse, the father bearing it in his arms, and his family marching afterto the sound of music. It was then introduced into the great kitchenfire-place, and having lighted it with a brand which had been carefullypreserved from the last year’s clog, the household drew about thecheerful fire, and inspired by its warmth, and deep draughts ofnut-brown ale, “the song and tale went round.” Many such a ChristmasEve have I sat and listened to the tales so marvelous and strange; andnow, far away from those bygone scenes, I have striven to snatch fromthe decaying embers of memory, a little brand to light for my youthfulreaders a new “Yule Clog” for the coming Christmas season.
G. M. B.
Golden Hill,
November, 1858.