The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1885-01-15

HOW CHRISTMAS WAS OBSERVED. NEW
YEARS DAY. THE WEATHER. THE COLOR
ED PEOPLE AND THEIR CUSTOMS.

HOW CHRISTMAS WAS OBSERVED. NEW
YEARS DAY. THE WEATHER. The COLOR
ED PEOPLE AND THEIR CUSTOMS.
Cores pondence of the journal.
JACKSONVILLE. FLA. Jan. |, 1888. Christ
mas morning was awakened before daylight
by a terrible din in the streets Bows were
blowing horns, firing India crackers throwing
torpedoeS, etc. In fact they were making fully
a much noise as do northern BOYS when they
are out on racket. Guns sounded in the dis
tance, bands were play ing, and had to rub my
eyes and think. to make myself believe that
had not slept six months and awakened on the
morning of July 4h, 1855. The noise was kept
up all day. FAINT tstics paraded the streets about
noon; in the evening rockets. Donlire> and 9TH
er Examinations were made in different parts Of
the city. 1t appeared strange to me to see the
anniversary of our Savour'> birth celebrated in
this manner, but it is the custom here
The churches Were more or less decorated
and in the evening there were entertainments
for The children The Ocean street PRESBYTERIAN
church was beautifully decorated with holly,
ccdar, palmetto mi>tetoe and other eyergreen~
The chiIdren'> entertainment IN The evening
consisted of sin4ing, speaking, etc., after which
their hearts We're made glad BY hountiful SUI
per prepared by the ladies of the societl There
We're many pretty pieces sung during the even
Ing, but the one that pleased me the most | will
endeavor TO describe. A large bell five feet in
diameter, covered with cedar and magnolia
leaves. with oranges aud corn-bags hung there
10, was suspended about two feet above the
platform. Ropes covered with green led from
the top on either side. The children then sung
Christmas carol the chorus of which was:
"Hark the merry bells are ringing,
Ding dong. ding dong:
Hark. the merry voices singing
Merry. merry Christmas bells"
AT the singing of the second line Of the cho-
rus three little girls on each rope pulled, the
great bell and swung it back and forth. There
was no sound from the bell. but chimes We're
runs from behind the curtain which made the
delu>on perfect. Belfast was represented at
the concert. Little Bennie Hazeltine recied
piece in costume and Florence Gilmore was one
OF the bell ringers.
New Years Day the colored population cele-
brated emancipation, by military com panes
paradng the streets and bands playing
The December weather was delightful here.
Once the thermometer went down to "a degrees
above zero which made us all SILVER, especially
the colored people. Nevertheless would enjoy
little snow. The cold weather is severe on the
colored population, for they live in very loosely
built houses. They are a very happy, inditler-
ent people, and if they have enough to eat they
pay little regard to their personal appearance.
There are, of course, exceptions, aud OCCASION
ally you will see one dressed in perfect taste
The colored women take great pride in dressing
their babies in white ruti1ps and tucks. and
white lace bonnets. Their little black faces
show off to great advantage in this costume.
The older people are very polite to .'white
folks" and bow and courtesy when YOU meet
them. Frequently they will step entirely off the
sidewalk The younger ones however, think
they are entitled to half the sidewalk, and more
if they can get it.
The sch. Meyer & Muller is the only Belfast
vessel in port. but others are due