While Charles Dickens is generally credited with "saving" Christmas by capturing the best of English Christmas traditions in his novels A Christmas Carol and The Pickwick Papers, he undoubtedly drew his inspiration from Washington Irving. The American writer had earlier described traditional (but quickly dying) and, arguably, fictious English Christmas customs in "Bracebridge Hall" and other stories published in
The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, gent. Dickens acknowledged that he was a fan of Irving's when he stated while visiting the United States: "I say, gentlemen, I do not go to bed two nights out of seven without taking Washington Irving under my arm upstairs to bed with me." On both sides of the Atlantic, Christmas had become a day for decidedly un-Christian behavior due to high unemployment and marauding gangs. In fact, a Christmas Riot had led to the creation of New York's first police force in 1828. Both Irving and Dickens sought to make Christmas more of a peaceful, family-oriented celebration.
The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, gent. Dickens acknowledged that he was a fan of Irving's when he stated while visiting the United States: "I say, gentlemen, I do not go to bed two nights out of seven without taking Washington Irving under my arm upstairs to bed with me." On both sides of the Atlantic, Christmas had become a day for decidedly un-Christian behavior due to high unemployment and marauding gangs. In fact, a Christmas Riot had led to the creation of New York's first police force in 1828. Both Irving and Dickens sought to make Christmas more of a peaceful, family-oriented celebration.
Having already plundered Dickens to create the musical, The Last Christmas Carol, I am now forced to admit that I similarly violated Irving with the anti-musical, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Condominium Association, Inc. Watch for a production soon!
