File:Thomas Butler Gunn Diaries- Volume 7, page 187, December 25, 1855.jpg

Transcription:

25. Tuesday, (and Christmas Day.) A dull, dark, continuously wet one. Sitting in the basement, writing to Dillon [Mapother] all the morning. Our dinner at an hour later, (3 o’clock) in honor of the day, so that by the time t’was over [word crossed out] the hour had arrived for my presence at Edwardses, whither I had been invited, [Jesse] Haney and [James] Parton having been there all day. Out o’doors, never I think, was there a wretcheder prospect, mud and slush in the streets, puddles on the pavement, and heavy and persistent rain everywhere. In my brief walk I scarcely met a soul. A cheery contrast on arriving at the friendly house. A great Christmas tree, most festively dizened, and a crowd of happy looking folks, the tables and side boards laden with gifts. All the Edward’s family, with relatives, perhaps twenty folks or so. Talk, tea in the basement, and then Acted Charades. The audience all assembled in the spacious back work room, (Mrs [Sarah] Edwards is a dress-maker,) where the Christmas tree was, the front room proved an admirable green room for attiring and preparation, the large sliding door way framing, as it were the stage, screens some eight or ten feet further on, hiding the rear, four or five sandles with paper shades (a la Theatre,) were placed in front. But first jocularly written programmes of performance were handed about, the work of Parton and Haney. The latter was indeed the Master of the Revels on the occasion, and “came out” most jovially, doing tricks of parlor magic, making up for it most capitally, his black eyes and blacker hair glistening under a monk-like gabardine. Charade the First, Three of the Mesdemoiselles Edwards [Sally, Matty, and Eliza] and