Men cities and events Author:William Beatty-Kingston Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: A Memorable Christmas Dinner TO the vast majority of English folk, old and young alike, the most interesting and congenial of Christmas rites is that which is... more » celebrated at table, and the performance of which, in fulfilment of ancient tradition, necessitates the consumption of an abnormal quantity of succulent food and generous liquor. In this country it is customary that the Christmas feast should be held within the strict limits of the family circle, and that certain prescribed comestibles should figure in its bill of fare. The only indefeasible claim to share a British householder's beef and turkey, plum pudding and mince pies, at Christ- mastide, is based upon the consanguinity of guest and host; claims founded upon intimate acquaintance, or even on old friendship, are by no means sure of recognition, although kindly people are not lacking who voluntarily extend their " seasonable hospitality" to lonely spinsters or bachelors forlorn, for the time beingaccidentally placed outside the radius of their own kith and kin. In this respect, as a rule, the English abroad are less exclusive than the English at home. By them, not infrequently, stray strangers and wandering waifs, if of their own race and in any admissible way accredited to them, are mercifully bidden to partake of their Christmas fare. The Queen's representatives in foreign parts, whether diplomatic or consular, are justly celebrated for a generous readiness to entertain their travelling compatriots at the " festive season," if these latter be fit and proper persons to receive attentions of this class. An Englishman, compelled by circumstances to spend Christmastide in some Continental capital or city of importance, far distant from the fireside at which he has a right to sit in his native land, who has t...« less