Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1893-12-22
A SOUTHERN CHRISTMAS IN THE
0LDEN TIME.

An old chronicler gives US pleasing pic
ture of the celebration of the good season.
when the gallant cavalier gathered his
family about him, he wearing gold LAGOON
his clothes, and his stately dame in high
heels and Elizabethan ruff, with the chill
dren and grandchildren around the groan-
ing board, and the black servants grinning
at the door. These dusky retainers came
IN for full share of the feasting and fun:
and IN fact, they now cling to the ancient
traditions OF Christmas more firmly than
the W lite people of the South
1T the first Growing of the cock on
Christmas morning the yule log, which had
been carefully selected and soaked was
brought into the hall, and laid in the huge
fireplace with great ceremony 1t was
lighted by an old negro, who was specially
assigned to this duty. With the lighting of
the yule-log the holidays began, and con-
tlnued until the log was consumed: hence
they were very careful to secure the larg
est that the fireplace would hold. When
the expectant crowd outside heard that the
christmas back log" las the negroes call
ed IT. was lighted, the merry footing of
horns began, and there was no more sleeD
that day. Soon the master of the house de-
scended to the dining and proceeded
to brew the favorite beverage. eegnog in
solid silver vessel" After it was made.
and pronounced good" by its maker, it
was handed around to the assembled com
pany, including the household servants.
southern homes and southern churches
were beautifully decorated for Christmas
with holly and mistletoe, cedar and pine.
Several days were spent in this occupation,
which was performed chiefly by young
men and maidens. Family portraits, rep
Hxya
crowned with cedar; and thew seemed To
look smilingly down upon their CAV de-
scendants.
One of the regular ceremonies of a
southern Christmas in the olden time was
for all the negroes, big and little, old and
young, to come from the Quarters" to
wish ole master" "Merry Christmas"
After the ceremony of drinking Christ
mas was over, the servants retired. and
the family sat down to a Christmas break
fast, which was an elaborate affair, con-
sisting of all the delicacies of the season
and served with the generous profusion
characteristic of southern hospitality. Aft
er this meal presents were exchanged: and
many were the expressions of surprise.
real or affected, with which the mysterious
packages we're opened, On the porch
were great hampers filled with all sorts of
orlShI Ihlngs 10 pleas4 the tastes of the ne
groes - flaming handkerchiefs, dresses,
shawls for the women, tops, balls, knives,
cakes, gingerbread for the children, and
money for the men. The negro families
received an extra amount of flour, bacon.
sugar, molasses, and everything necessary
for Christmas feast
During the morning a grand deer hunt
took place, the gentlemen all splendidly
mounted, and attended by troop of liver
led servants, in charge of fine pack of
hounds, the whole presenting brilliant
and animated appearance. Every day
during the holidays gay cavalcade set off,
either to hunt the deer or the fox; while
other parties went duck-shooting ON the
neighboring streams. Sometimes the par
tty would be frightened by the presence of
ladies.
On returning from the hunt, a generous
Christmas dinner was served; and, if the
Christmas breakfast was ''profuse," the
Christmas dinner was SO bountiful as TO
beggar description. 1t was no unusual
thing for score or more TO sit down TO
dinner on Christmas day in one of the old
manor houses in the South. The drinking
OF healths began while the ladies and chill
dren remained at the table; for the selfish