Stories of Saint Nicholas

This book was written by a secretary of the navy and a member of the same group as Washington Irving. James Kirke Paulding was a member of the Knickerbocker Society which sought to preserve the dutch heritage of New York. Un-like Irving, Paulding was truly dutch in ancestry. In these stories, Paulding transforms St. Nicholas from bishop to a jolly dutchman. There are a few anti-catholic slurs in this book but not many, in fact they are satirical punches at old europe and Great Britain. Remember this book was published right after the war of 1812 and Paulding does not hesitate to criticize but only a few times. He is not a puritan as Saint Nicholas has revenge on Killjoys who hate Christmas and New-Years. The best story here is the "Baker's Dozen" in which a baker refuses to give a witch the accurate amount of new years cookies. The result is pure havoc and disaster for the baker until Saint Nicholas arrives. The story is full of dancing furniture, cookie dough overflowing the kitchen and every kind of disaster until all is resolved. Another account "St Nicholas's New Years Ride" shows the saint as mischievous as he plays tricks on a cruel money lender and his wife and at the same time he restore the fortune of a poor man. This story is completely in tune with the actions of the real Saint Nicholas of Myra, who in spite of his changed appearance as a jolly elf, still seeks to help the poor and needy. The few problems with the book are the fact the tale is told in dutch accents and yes there is an occasional bias against the catholic church but this comes from dutch resentment toward the spanish invasion in the 16th century. If seen in context it is understood and the attitude is not carried on through all the stories. Instead Paulding tells us about the sweets, new years cookies and oily cakes, that Saint Nicholas gives. He switched the visit of Saint Nicholas from December 6th to Christmas and New Years. The latter was mentioned most as the puritans chose to celebrate then as they did not celebrate on Christmas. Odd to say however Paulding leans a critical eye toward those who hate celebrating and even Saint Nicholas stops to celebrate with party along his visits. These stories do not have a sleigh and reindeer. This Santa does not wear a red suit as we are accustomed to. His clothes are like the peoples of his day and drives a cart driven by a pony. Yet this cart and pony can fly and move so fast the saint cannot be seen. If you want a taste of holidays past and what it was like in Old New Amsterdam before it became New York city read this book and enjoy it.