My grandfather from Birmingham gave me a first-edition copy of this book, still what I picture when I think of England.
Old Christmas: From The Sketch Book of Washington Irving
Washington Irving’s Old Christmas (first published in 1819 as part of The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.) is widely regarded as both perceptive and influential, though in a very particular way.
During his travels in England, Irving observed rural Christmas traditions that were already fading in the early 19th century. His sketches, depicting the country squire’s hospitality, church services, and village festivities, were perceptive because they captured the nostalgia and symbolism of Christmas as a season of generosity, warmth, and communal belonging. This stood in sharp contrast to the industrial and urban modernity that was rapidly reshaping society. Many literary historians note that Irving tapped into a deep human longing for tradition and conviviality, especially at a time when older folk customs were disappearing in both England and America.
Charles Dickens, an admirer of Irving, drew inspiration from Old Christmas when he wrote A Christmas Carol two decades later. In America, the work established Irving not only as a storyteller, but also as a cultural historian and sentimental essayist. |
