Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-25
CHRISTMAS IN THE ARCTIC.
How the Day Was Celebrated OD
hoard the Jennnette.

Il was strongly reminded of "a certain
Christmas experience 1 had in the arctic,
said Commodore G.. W. Melville of the
navy. while listening to the recent lecture
of DR.. Nansen, whom L had the honor of
introducing to his audience. While he
spoke / reveled an older viking might
have done over the deeds of a younger
brother, and the vivid story he told started
the blood tingling in my veins as it did
seventeen or more years ago, when l was
on the Inflated Jeanette, slowly drifting
along the north coast of Siberia 1t was
about this season of the year, and, as
usual. We Were preparing for our Christ
mas festival, as has been done time out of
mind by all good arctic men, for, let the
ice drift as it ,7ould, let old Bo-eas howl as
he might, and the gentle white mantle of
snow fall and drift until cur good ship was
all but showed under, still the hope of the
future the love of home. served to cheer us
up. as We remembered the happy home and
fresides of youth and those who We're more
dear to US than life itself. So as Christmas
time rolled round we were not Respondent.
We We're not unhappy We had the happy
consolation of knowing that there We're
others not so well off even as We We're, and
though this might seem cold comfort to
some, yet We who had 50 much to be
thankful for Were comparatively happy i'll
ship, notwithstanding We We're drifting God
only knew where We were happy that we
Were all still alive and were buoyed up with
fond hopes for the future.
Following the customs of most of our
predecessors in arctic Yoyaging. prepara
tons were made for theatricals on Christ
mas day. The talent of the crew was
mustered up with satisfactory results. An
original play was prepared for the occa-
sion by Jerome Collins, correspondent of
the Herald Sailor like, being absent from
the fair sex, IL was necessary TO cast one
of the crew IN the part of the young lady
heroine of the play.
a prologue in verse was prepared by
Collins, containing gentle hits at all the
officers and men, Which feature am
pleased TO gay was taken in good part by
every one and added very much to the
jollity of the occasion. EleXia, our North
American Indian, contributed his share to
the performance by executing native war
and hunt dances. The minstre!sy portions
of the play, with its jokes. went off par
ticuIarly well. But the grand "slamanade."
as it was called by the men, occurred when
Miss Susan. the fiancee of the loving blue
jacket. made her appearance on the i'm
proviseG stage tricked out in calico gown
and a headdress that would DO credit TO
some of our Washington miliners. 1t is
needless to say there was a round of ap-
plause when the young lady 60 firted her
skirts about, showing not the usual beauti-
full and well-turned ankle, but instead,
good-sized moccasins stuffed with straw to
The effect was sublime, though the effort
was ridiculous. Nevertheless young Shar-
veil. the youngest member of the ships
company, with his clean-shaven face and
feminine apparel. made very fine appear
ing young woman. Indeed, she looked so
attractive that our good old boatswain,
Jack Cole. swore he would have kiss of
the young lady, even though it was
sham The calico gown and petticoats
worn by the heroine We're the nearest ap-
proach to the genuine articles that there
was in the Arctic ocean at that time. there
being single feminine member of the
human race within 800 miles of u.s.
The play went off we'll All hands were
hilarious. and in order to make Christmas
more real both officers and men were
served with an extra portion of grog with
sugar. hot water and lemon peel added, to
give the brew more artistic flavor. We
finished the day with an extra dinner with
real plum pudding.
II have spent three Christmas days north
of the arctic circle. and l can assure my
good friends that / have seen greater hard
ships at other times and on other occa-
sions-