By the Christmas Fire By: Samuel McChord Crothers (1857-1927)
By the Christmas Fire by Samuel McChord Crothers is a heartwarming collection of short stories, perfect for curling up with by the fireside during the holiday season. Although the book lacks a cohesive storyline, it compensates with its charming anecdotes and engaging characters. The author effortlessly weaves together tales of love, kindness, and friendship, all centered around the theme of Christmas. Each story features relatable characters with their own hopes and desires, providing readers with a glimpse into their lives and the joys and challenges they face during the festive season. One of the highlights of the book is Crothers' ability to capture the essence of Christmas traditions. From decorating the tree to preparing a delicious holiday feast, the author beautifully portrays the warmth and nostalgia associated with these time-honored customs. Readers will find themselves transported to a simpler time, where the true meaning of the holiday is emphasized through meaningful gestures and heartfelt connections. Additionally, the stories in By the Christmas Fire explore the power of kindness and generosity. Crothers effortlessly reminds readers of the importance of selflessness, charity, and compassion during the holiday season. The characters within these stories demonstrate the joy that comes from giving, reminding readers of the transformative power of a single act of kindness. One minor drawback of the book is its lack of depth in character development. Given that each story is relatively short, some characters feel slightly underdeveloped or overlooked. While this may leave readers yearning for more connection with the characters, it does not detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the book. Overall, By the Christmas Fire is a delightful read that encapsulates the magic and spirit of the holiday season. Samuel McChord Crothers' collection of short stories is filled with warmth, love, and the true essence of Christmas. This book is sure to leave readers feeling uplifted and inspired, reminding them of the profound impact even the smallest acts of kindness can have. It is a wonderful addition to any holiday reading list and is guaranteed to reignite the Christmas spirit within all who read it. First Page: BY THE CHRISTMAS FIRE by SAMUEL McCHORD CROTHERS [Illustration] Boston and New York Houghton Mifflin Company MCMXII Copyright, 1908, by Samuel Mcchord Crothers All Rights Reserved Published November 1908 To O. L. F. A CHEERFUL FIRE WORSHIPER Contents I. THE BAYONET POKER 1 II. ON BEING A DOCTRINAIRE 43 III. CHRISTMAS AND THE LITERATURE OF DISILLUSION 97 IV. THE IGNOMINY OF BEING GROWN UP 131 V. CHRISTMAS AND THE SPIRIT OF DEMOCRACY 191 "Christmas and the Spirit of Democracy" appeared originally in Everybody's Magazine , the four other essays in the Atlantic Monthly . Acknowledgments are due to the editors of these periodicals for permission to reprint them here. I The Bayonet Poker [Illustration] As I sit by my Christmas fire I now and then give it a poke with a bayonet. It is an old fashioned British bayonet which has seen worse days. I picked it up in a little shop in Birmingham for two shillings. I was attracted to it as I am to all reformed characters. The hardened old sinner, having had enough of war, was a candidate for a peaceful position. I was glad to have a hand in his reformation. To transform a sword into a pruning hook is a matter for a skilled smith, but to change a bayonet into a poker is within the capacity of the least mechanical... Continue reading book >>

By the Christmas Fire By: Samuel McChord Crothers (1857-1927)

By the Christmas Fire by Samuel McChord Crothers is a heartwarming collection of short stories, perfect for curling up with by the fireside during the holiday season. Although the book lacks a cohesive storyline, it compensates with its charming anecdotes and engaging characters.

The author effortlessly weaves together tales of love, kindness, and friendship, all centered around the theme of Christmas. Each story features relatable characters with their own hopes and desires, providing readers with a glimpse into their lives and the joys and challenges they face during the festive season.

One of the highlights of the book is Crothers' ability to capture the essence of Christmas traditions. From decorating the tree to preparing a delicious holiday feast, the author beautifully portrays the warmth and nostalgia associated with these time-honored customs. Readers will find themselves transported to a simpler time, where the true meaning of the holiday is emphasized through meaningful gestures and heartfelt connections.

Additionally, the stories in By the Christmas Fire explore the power of kindness and generosity. Crothers effortlessly reminds readers of the importance of selflessness, charity, and compassion during the holiday season. The characters within these stories demonstrate the joy that comes from giving, reminding readers of the transformative power of a single act of kindness.

One minor drawback of the book is its lack of depth in character development. Given that each story is relatively short, some characters feel slightly underdeveloped or overlooked. While this may leave readers yearning for more connection with the characters, it does not detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the book.

Overall, By the Christmas Fire is a delightful read that encapsulates the magic and spirit of the holiday season. Samuel McChord Crothers' collection of short stories is filled with warmth, love, and the true essence of Christmas. This book is sure to leave readers feeling uplifted and inspired, reminding them of the profound impact even the smallest acts of kindness can have. It is a wonderful addition to any holiday reading list and is guaranteed to reignite the Christmas spirit within all who read it.

First Page:

BY THE CHRISTMAS FIRE

SAMUEL McCHORD CROTHERS

[Illustration]

Boston and New York Houghton Mifflin Company MCMXII

To O. L. F.

A CHEERFUL FIRE WORSHIPER

Contents

I. THE BAYONET POKER 1

II. ON BEING A DOCTRINAIRE 43

III. CHRISTMAS AND THE LITERATURE OF DISILLUSION 97

IV. THE IGNOMINY OF BEING GROWN UP 131

V. CHRISTMAS AND THE SPIRIT OF DEMOCRACY 191

"Christmas and the Spirit of Democracy" appeared originally in Everybody's Magazine , the four other essays in the Atlantic Monthly . Acknowledgments are due to the editors of these periodicals for permission to reprint them here.

The Bayonet Poker

[Illustration]

As I sit by my Christmas fire I now and then give it a poke with a bayonet. It is an old fashioned British bayonet which has seen worse days. I picked it up in a little shop in Birmingham for two shillings. I was attracted to it as I am to all reformed characters. The hardened old sinner, having had enough of war, was a candidate for a peaceful position. I was glad to have a hand in his reformation.

To transform a sword into a pruning hook is a matter for a skilled smith, but to change a bayonet into a poker is within the capacity of the least mechanical... Continue reading book >>

Genres for this book
Essay/Short nonfiction
Literature

eBook links
Wikipedia – Samuel McChord Crothers
Wikipedia – By the Christmas Fire

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