Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-04-27
BY Il. u. WALTON * SONS.
MISCELLA N EO U S.
LETTERS FROM THE WEST INDIES.
Sr. CRorx, Jan. 1910.

81 ed with her white snowy rament and the cold
chill wind whistling around your dwelling-con'
fined to heated rooms, or when out, wrapped IN
cloaks and furs Aud no doubt, the merry sleigh
bells are pealing forth gIalsome music to the WIND
How different the scene here: the brightness and
glory ofmid- summer is about us all nature teens
with beauty; yea, the very spirit OF beauty Is
breathed forth from earth sea and sky What
contrast
The past week has been one of Joy and excite
ment 10 the negroes here. Christmas days are
looked forward TO with bright and eager hopes ny
the poor slave, for many week previous, as an
important epoch in their lives. Then, for brIei
time, they enjoy the pleasure OF being Jreemen'-
They can laugh, dance and sing without fear oil
n surlv driver or dread of the harsh whip. And
right merliIy do they improve their few hours oil
freedom, in visiting, ieasting, dancing and iroc'
The evening before Christmas, the slaves on eaclI
plantation are assembled and the manager deals
out their erra rations, which consist of something
n little better and more in quantity, than usual,
that they may make merry with their friends lhe
same evening the streets in town are illuminated,
and so for three NIGHTS. On the first night COM
ncnce the dancing and sport among the negroes,
which is kept up constantly night and day, through
Christmas. The negroes go about in companies
OF from Is TO 80, to dance and sing, and consider
themselves at liberty to enter any house and take
possession of the best rooms, and dance away, ms
if for very life, at the same time singing song
prepared for the occasion, by ore OF their party,
accompanied by the beating of Il rude drum, or,
as they term it, cheating the pump" This
"pump" is made, by saving barrel in two and
drawing skin tightly over one half on which
they heat with their hands; sometimes two or
three Mt once are beating the same drum. They
make hediouS harmony, anh put themselves in the
most singular attitudes and awkward ttCisttfcatioRS
Imaginable They dance both out doors and in,
and sometimes very gracefully. The slaves on
plantation usually visit their owner in company,
and dance and sing until they are satisfied, aud
are treated to some refreshments. A gentleman
who resides in town. and whose head is decked
with the silvery locks of age, was visited by the
slaves of plantation he owns in the country.
was invited to be present, with several other A.
mericaLs. The slaves came in body of from 80
to so, and as they entered the door, greeted the
master and his daughte with many wishes of long
life, aud many more happy Chriatmases', SC. &c,
all shaking him by the hand. After having crow
cied into the house they commenced dancing and
singing, and the owner entered with great gee in
10 the sport, Joining in the dance with them and
whirling them round and round, TO their great de-
light. After spending about an hour, left them
still dancing.
The first of January, like the Christmas days,
was day of freedom to the poor slave, and again
the pump" and song were heard at almost every
corner. On going out in the morning TO walk,
l was greeted by men and women, old and
young, with ga happy new year, .Massa, '-"nay
you have many more, Massa, &c. &c. All were
dressed in their neatest and best attire: the te-
males, generally in white, with neat handkerchief
lied prety about their heads. This is the COM
mon head dress of the colored ladies here, and
they look very we II in them. Some of these dan
cling companies are quite select, and they make
great preparations Tor these holy days often spen,
ding the earnings Of months, to decorate tliei
persons in ornaments and dress for the occasion
They have King and Queen, who are chosen
wholly on their merits rs dancers, and hold tlle
office during good behaviour, or for life. Should
eltner commit diy cTiilie tlcy are OTOhe. IU'
dress of their Queen is often very gaudy and ricl
of the finest silks and satins together with pro
fusion of ornaments for her person. | notice,
one company in mourning for their queen, VIII,
died few weeks since. Her body was followe,
to the grave by the whole company in mourain,
the females dressed in white, with white hand
kerchief around their heads and many of them,
long strtamer of craze attached TO them; and s.
with The hats Of the men.
One of these dancing parties visited our hous
on the first inst, took possession Of the hall o
sitting room, and commenced their dancing The
had for music tamberine and "pump, accom-
panied with their own voices. They danced col
illions and quadrilIs and waltzed, in very goo
STYLE some of them with good taste and udg
ment. The gentlemen had quizzing glasses, dan
Cling from their necks attached 10 ribbons bur
did not notice them often used. Their queen VIZ
Jet black lady, and rather small. She was al
tired in purple or changeable satin frock, worke
with profusion Outright flowers an apron, ais
decked with cunning needle work n white igu,
ed Grape collar, with light head dress, aud gol
chains, pins, &c. about her coaback neck al
head Altogether her dress was a very expen
sive one. They conducted themselves with
much order and decorum as dancing parties
home except that their music was not the mo-
charming have heard noticed an old ma
mounted upon long, six feet stills, in a fanlast
dress, who danced, sung and made fun to tn
great amusement Of the negroes. saw very Ii
tie of drunkenness or fighting but the blacks n
seemed 10 be very happy.
Yankee Notions on Royal Marriage. Nearl
one whole page Of the New York Express {
Saturday last, is filled with detailed account
Queen VictOria's marriage 10 Prince Albert