Editor:
It seems the writer of a new version of Clement C. Moore’s ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas did not condone that portion where it describes Santa as holding a pipe between his teeth and smoke encircling his head like a wreath.
Her decision was to write a more or less censored version.
Let us take a look at another book, the Bible, and the narration of Adam and Eve and their two sons, Cain and Abel. It seems that Cain murdered his brother Abel. Murder is a heinous crime. Should we now rewrite parts of the Bible also ?
It is my opinion that ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas as originally written should be read to children and perhaps explain to them that in the old days, people were unaware of the dangers of smoking, or something in this vein.
And on this note, merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
M. Downey, Surrey