In early 19th Century Britain - and before - Christmas was deeply unpopular, an excuse it was thought for the lower orders to get drunk and debauch. You can hear the contempt in Scrooge’s voice when he says to Bob Cratchit, “I suppose you’ll want the whole day off”. Cratchit, a poor man, brags of excess: two full rounds of gin punch for his wife and children. The next day, he’s hungover and late to work. “I am behind my time, Sir,” he tells Scrooge apologetically. “I was making rather merry.” The story almost never got written.
© 2024 John Oliver
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