Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-12-20
How Washington Celebrated Christ
mas.

1t is interesting 10 look back upon a
Christmas day at Mount Vernon, with the
Father OF His Country as host and his
charming wife as hostess. Christmas at
Mount Vernon in the peaceful days
which followed the Revolution was
always exceedingly merry. The Viz
ginians OF those days, being cavaliers,
made the most OF the holiday, which the
grim Puritans OF New England practically
ignored, says the Philadelphia Press.
Though generally serious, Washington
could unoend considerably on such an
occasion. Mount Vernon was always
crowded at this period, and the celebra-
tion was OF a luxurious character. The
Christmas dinner was served at three
O'Clock in the ''ban uet hall, " and prob
ably no fewer than 30 persons sat down
to the repast.
For this special occasion the hostess
always got out her handsome service OF
pure silver, most OF which had belonged
TO her when, as the widow Custis, she
had married Mr.. Washington, and there
was also a big display OF cut glass
An oddity, as nowadays it would be
considered, was the arrangement OF The
table, upon which all the dishes 10 be
served, including even the puddngS and
pies, were placed at once No wonder
that in such days the festive board was
said to "groan" beneath the weight OF
viands.
As matter CT course, at the Christmas
dinner, as we'll as all other occasions, the
table was waited upon by slaves, who
did duty as house servants Two were
allotted to each puest, so that quite a
number were required. All OF the eat
ableS had TO be conveyed considerable
distance, the kitchen being detached from
the mansion, with which it was connect
ed by a covered way.
At the houses OF the great Virginia
families at that period it was customary
for the slaves to wait on the table in the
ordinary plantation garb. But at Mount
Vernon many things were on scale OF
exceptional luxury, and the negroes who
performed such service were clad IN
Washlngton's own livery OF red, white
and gold, which was handsome and
striking
The necessity OF supper was removed
by great prolongatlon OF the dinner, at
which each person was expected 10 eat
all that he or she possibly could. ln
TACT, it was the duty Of the hostess gently
to persuade her guests TO gorge them
selves TO repletion, while the host made
it his business to press wine and other
drlnkabes upon the men to an extent
which in these times would be consider
ed most imprudent
AT certain period Of the meal il was
Washington's custom TO rise from his
char. holding a glass OF Madeira in his
hand and bowing right and lett, TO say.
Gentlemen, drink TO my guests.
The natural response at the instance Of
the most distinguished guest present was
a health drink TO Lady Washington.
Following the dinner a good, long
evening was INDUCED in with pastimes
appropriate to Christmas. Blind mans
buff and hunt the slipper were not sui
ficiently undgnified in The eyes Of Wash
ington TO be INDUCED in. The Washing
ton family Christmas gifts were exhibited,
and Nellie Custis was always called upon
to play on her harpsichord.
A colored fiddler, one OF the slaves on
The plantation, in picturesque plantation
caro-, would be called in at certain
period, and when he would start some
merry music the young people chose
partners for the dance. But the older
ladies' and gentlemen preferred cards.
Small stakes were usually played for,
but gambling for money 10 considerable
amount was always most Objectionable
10 Washington. Asfor Mrs. Washington,
she would invariably enter into none OF
the general festivities, but would be the
host to such part OF her guests who
would not care to indulge in either dane
ing or cards.
II was at a late hour on the morning
following Christmas that the guests
would take their departure and the
Washington household would quiet
down 10 IFS ordinary routine.