Charles Dickens

“ I hope that I am none the worse for it, and that no one near me, or afar, is the worse for it. And I say, May the green Holly-Tree flourish, striking its roots deep into our English ground, and having its germinating qualities carried by the birds of Heaven all over the world. ”

“ I had taken leave of all my Holly-Tree friends—almost, for the time being, of my bashfulness too—and was standing for half a minute at the inn-door, watching the ostler as he took another turn at the cord which tied my portmanteau on the chaise, when I saw lamps coming down toward the Holly-Tree. The road was so padded with snow that no wheels were audible ”

“ I begun at the Holly-Tree, by idle accident, to associate the Christmas time of year with human interest, and with some inquiry into, and some care for the lives of those by whom I find myself surrounded. ”