THE SQUIRE'S CHRISTMAS PUZZLE
PARTY
A fine specimen of the old English country gentleman was Squire
Davidge, of Stoke Courcy Hall, in Somerset. When the last
century was yet in its youth, there were few men in the west
country more widely known and more generally respected and
beloved than he. A born sportsman, his fame extended to Exmoor
itself, where his daring and splendid riding in pursuit of the red deer
had excited the admiration and envy of innumerable younger hunts-
men. But it was in his own parish, and particularly in his own
home, that his genial hospitality, generosity, and rare jovial humour
made him the idol of his friends—and even of his relations, which
sometimes means a good deal.
At Christmas it was always an open house at Stoke Courcy Hall,
for if there was one thing more than another upon which Squire
Davidge had very pronounced views, it was on the question of
keeping up in a royal fashion the great festival of Yule-tide. " Hark
ye, my lads," he would say to his sons, " our country will begin to
fall on evil days if ever we grow indifferent to the claims of those
Christmas festivities that have helped to win us the proud name of
Merrie England." Therefore, when I say that Christmas at Stoke
Courcy was kept up in the good old happy, rollicking, festive style
that our grandfathers and great-grandfathers so dearly loved, it will
be unnecessary for me to attempt a description. We have a faithful
picture of these merry scenes in the
Bracebridge Hall
of Washington
Irving. I must confine myself in this sketch to one special feature
in the Squire's round of jollification during the season of peace and
goodwill.
He took a curious and intelligent interest in puzzles of every kind,
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