Salmagundi; or, The whim-whams and opinions of Launcelot Langstaff, esq. [pseud.] and others. By William Irving, James Kirke Paulding and Washington Irving. Printed from the original ed., with a preface and notes by Evert A. Duyckinck.

COMIPLIAIENTS OF THIE SEASON. 395
was " Over the hills and far away." Only one thing was wanting to make every part of the celebration accord with its
ancient simplicity. The ladies, who-I write it with the most
piercing regret-are generally at the head of all domestic, innovations, most fastidiously refused that mark of good will, that
chaste and holy salute which was so fashionable in the happy
days of Governor Rip and the patriarchs. Even the Miss
Cocklofts, who belong to a family that is the last intrenchment
behind which the manners of the good old school have
retired, made violent opposition; and whenever a gentleman entered the room, immediately put themselves in a posture
of defence. This, Will Wizard, with his usual shrewdness,
insists was only to give the visitor a hint that they expected an
attack; and declares he has uniformly observed, that the resistance of those ladies, who make the greatest noise and bustle, is
most easily overcome. This sad innovation originated with my
good aunt Charity, who was as arrant a tabby as ever wore
whiskers; and I am not a little afflicted to find that she has
found so many followers, even among the young and beautiful.
In compliance with an ancient and venerable custom, sanctioned by time and our ancestors, and more especially by my
own inclinations, I will take this opportunity to salute my
readers with as many good wishes as I can possible spare; for,
in truth, I have been so prodigal of late, that I have but few
remaining. I should have offered my congratulations sooner;
but, to be candid, having made the last new-year's campaign,
according to custom, under Cousin Christopher, in which I have
seen some pretty hard survice, my head has been somewhat out
of order of late, and my intellects rather cloudy for clear writing. Besides, I may allege as another reason, that I have
deferred my greetings until this day, which is exactly one year