“There are people who will tell you that Christmas is not to them what it used to be; that each succeeding Christmas has found some cherished hope, or happy prospect, of the year before, dimmed or passed away; that the present only serves to remind them of reduced circumstances and straitened incomes……
Never heed such dismal reminiscences………..draw your chair nearer the blazing fire – fill the glass and send round the song – and if your room be smaller than it was a dozen years ago, or if your glass be filled with reeking punch, instead of sparkling wine, put a good face on the matter, and empty it off-hand, and fill another, and troll off the old ditty you used to sing, and thank God it’s no worse.”
Charles Dickens Sketches by Boz (1836).
Happy Christmas to all readers and supporters of crimepieces.
Sarah
Sarah Ward & Rhiannon Ward 
Sarah – I’d never read that bit by Dickens before – thanks for sharing it! My very best wishes to you and your family for a wonderful Christmas and all the best for 2012!
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Advice from Dickens that remains relevant. Plus ca change – and all that.
Have a wonderful time, Sarah.
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Thanks to you both. Hope you are having a relaxing Christmas.
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Σωστά! Η σοφία που μας στηρίζει και μας ωθεί στο καλύτερο…!
Σου εύχομαι να περάσεις πολύ καλές γιορτές και το 2012 να σου φέρει ό,τι επιθυμείς!
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Ευχαριστώ Μαρίνα. Καλά Χριστούγεννα και θα σου δω το 2012!
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lovely quote, Sarah, I do love a good meaty Dickens novel. Happy Christmas to you, too, I hope you are enjoying the holiday season. Love that Greek font, I wish I’d asked for that for Christmas, now 😉
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Thanks Maxine. I hope you had a great Christmas. The comment in Greek was by my lovely teacher Marina.
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Happy holidays to you!
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Thanks and to you too.
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