Household Words (1852) [ Practices ]
… night there would be, in Saint Luke's, "a Christmas Tree for the Patients." And further, that the "usual fortnightly dancing" would take place before the distribution of the gifts upon the tree. So there I was, in the street, looking … to be observed. It was very remarkable to see how they huddled together without communicating; how some watched the dancing with lack-lustre eyes, scarcely seeming to know what they watched; how others rested weary heads on hands, and … at the other; and all were shut up within themselves in a moment. The dancers were not all patients. Among them, and dancing with right good will, were attendants, male and female -- pleasant-looking men, not at all realising the …
Celebration | Towns | Dance | Furniture
Anthology