"We were ushered into this banqueting scene with the sound of minstrelsy, the old harper being seated on a stool beside the fireplace, and twanging his instrument with a vast deal more power than melody. Never did Christmas board display a more goodly and gracious assemblage of countenances: those who were not handsome were at least, happy; and happiness is a rare improver of your hard-favoured visage." (Christmas Dinner, p.123)
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