The very warm cover suggests a seasonable book, A Righte Merrie Christmasse, by John Ashton, who, fancying that some of its customs and privileges might be forgotten, collects all that has been done or could be done at this annual event. Some of ye anciente goinges on make one wonder whether feasts were better kept when they spelt with such unreasonable euphony. It must have been " merrie in halle" when the wassail song was ordinarily sung as depicted by A. C Behrend in his exquisite copper etching.

A Right Merrie Christmas by John Ashton is a historical study of Christmas and the story of Jesus Christ. Excerpt: "Date of Christ's Birth discussed—Opinions of the Fathers—The Eastern Church and Christ-tide—Error in Chronology—Roman Saturnalia—Scandinavian Yule—Duration of Christ-tide 1 CHAPTER II Historic Christ-tides in 790, 878, and 1065—William I., 1066-1085—William II.—Henry I., 1127—Stephen—Henry II., 1158-1171—Richard I., 1190—John, 1200—Henry III., 1253—Edwards I., II..."