“Let Christmas begin with prayers and end with feastin’ – that’s accordin’ to the ould and good rule,” writes “Murty”, a whimsical chap writing in 1886’s Christmas Day edition of The Irish Times.
“Grafton Street is as bright of a Christmas Eve as gas and gewgaws can make it: and turnin’ to the glitter, I say, youngsters, did you ever see such toys as them in the windows and on the counters? There’s a beauty in toys there usen’t to be.”
There have previously been two Christmas Day editions of The Irish Times, in 1885 and 1886.
In those days, the news never stopped.
In 1885 there’s a Welsh mining disaster to contend with and plenty of railing against Home Rule. Articles in 1886 have evocative titles like “The Campbell Divorce Case” (I couldn’t follow it) and “Rumoured Murder by the Czar” (a rumour quashed in the copy).
There are lots of ads. Ads for “New Years Day cards” (that was a thing, apparently) and excellent-sounding products such as “Mrs Winslow’s Soothing Syrup” and “Boyd’s Gout and Rheumatism Liniment”.
Cantrell and Cochrane (C&C) shill their “ginger ale” in an advertorial analysis of “the delight and pains of juvenile parties. How to amuse the little guests is the subject of intense and painful suggestions.”
Fans! Fans!! Fans!!!
Defries Safety Lamps apparently “never emit any smell and give the light of ten candles”.
Fred Lewis, the hair colourist, promises “youth renewed and old age unrecognised!” There are many, many ads for “port”.
“Fans! Fans!! Fans!!!” another ad yells (it’s an ad for “fans”).
There are also plenty of Christmas shows to go and see, as documented in a page that was clearly the 19th century’s version of The Ticket.
In 1885 the Gaiety staged Dick Whittington and his Cat and the educational show Howard's Grand Diorama.
The year 1886 boasted a performance of the Ohio Minstrels and the wonderfully named variety show Didcott's Delectable Diversions.
And then there are the musings of “Murty”, whose final sentiments we’d like to echo in 2014. He wishes everyone “whether Tory, Whig or Leaguer - a Happy Christmas – no hate in the heart – no ache in the bones… no lack in the purse, no cork in the bottle, no strike in the kitchen, no jars in the parlour, no “gastri-attack” next day… And if all them fortuitous concurrences befalls anyone, he’s not much to be pitied.”
