Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-24
OLD TINE SOUTHERN CHRISTMAS.
How the Festival Was Celebrated In
the Long Ago.

In the olden time Christmas was the
favorite festival in the South 1t WAS
peculiar. distinct, unique; there was
nothing like it i'm any other part OF this
country, or anywhere else I'm the word.
Il was season Of unbounded fun and
frolic mirth and merriment, in which all
participated-young and old, white and
black, writes Eugene j.. Didier in tho
St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Although the tender grace OF a day
that's dead viii never come back, IL is
interesting 20 recall a southern Christ
mas as it was in the olden time. Ii
passed away with the peculiar institu.
lions" OF the South. but IT'S memory still
fingers. II was not merely one days
holiday, but a season extending from
the great day itself TO the Epiphany, or
Old Christmas. It was not only time
Of good cheer, IL was also time Of good
fellowship. of generous Hospitality and
Of good feeling toward all. From the
rich planter in his lordly hall to tho poor
slave I'm his log cabin. all care was
banished. ali work was stopped. class
distinctions were forgotten, and rich ara
poor mingled together in tho enjoyment
Of the glad fesuvity.
In Maryland, Virginia, and the other
old Southern States the inherited tradi-
tons which were brought from the Old
World taught the people the good Old
custom of celebrating this joyous season
Long before Christmas the happy time
was anticipated with lively expectation,
bv parents and children, master and
save. but especially by the children. The
first Christmas mentioned In the annals
of Virginia was made memorable rom
the fact that 1t was the time when Poca-
hontas saved Captain John Smith from
the ferocity OF Powhatan. This ceie-
brated historical event has been preserved
from that time TO this as one Of the
most pleasing and romantic traditions
of the early time. when a band OF bold
Adventures planted the broad banner or
England in the Wildness of the New
World Captain Smith years afterwards
selected this season for his last attack
upon Powhatan. A quaint OLD chrOmcler
of the period. who went on this eXpedi-
ton. records that eve kept Christmas
among the Salvages. where we were never
more merry, or fed with more plenty OF
good oysters. Fish Flesh, Wilde Fo"le,'
and good bread. and we never had peller
fres IN ENGLAND" The wilde FOwle'
here spoken Of was probably roast turkey
which has been the traditional Christmas
piece Nt ItrlrAtl4lNf Ava "tt+ttt-'tt''
Tatons.
A later chronicler affords a pleasing
glimpse of the southern Christmas time
when the gallant cavalier gathered his
family and retainers about him, be gayly
dressed in the picturesque costume OIL tne
pcriod. wearing gold lace on his
clothes" and his stately dame in hish
heels and Elizabcthan ruff, on hospitaoie
thoughts intent, with the children ana
grandchildren around the grooming board
and the black servants grinning at the
door. Those dusky retainers always APP
erred I'm great force at Christmas and
took a conspicuous part in the FUN and
feastng. 90
Down TO a time within the memory OF
nersons still living the good old custom
continued Of gathering the scattered
members Of the family az the ancestral
home on Christmas-Day; and many
love match resulted from this bringing 20
gether of fair women and brave men,
Those family gatherings were among 'As
most cherished affairs in the South ana