Every year, commentators on right-wing news networks go on the warpath against the War on Christmas, epitomized in those horrible people who say “happy holidays” instead of “merry Christmas,” and especially the ones who write “Xmas” instead of “Christmas.” That never happened in the good old days. Commentators on left-wing news networks then go on the warpath against commentators on right-wing news networks who have gone on the warpath, and the season is just as jolly as can be.

Which brings us to a handwritten letter in the Internet Archive, where you can find anything as long as you’re not looking for it, from Nathaniel Parker Willis (who died in 1867) to his publisher.

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Xmas day
New York

My dear sir

Will you be kind enough to send me six copies of “Prose Works” & two of “poems,” by Express, as soon as possible, directed to me at

19 Ludlow Place
Corner of Houston &
McDougal St’s.

I suppose you will put these to me low, will you not?

Happy holidays to you, & believe me

Yours very truly
N. P. Willis