Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1917-12-20
How Washington
Celebrated Christmas

j. ShliSliudS usiy ut nlOuul NtIuOu,
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 Revo-
luton was always exceedingly merry.
The Virginians of those days, being
cavaliers, made the most of the holt
day, which the grim Puritans of New
England practically ignored, says the
philadelphia Press.
Though generally serious, Washing
ton could unbend considerably OF such
an occasion. Mount Vernon was always
crowded at this period. and the cele-
bration was of luxurious character.
The Christmas dinner was served at
three o'clock in the banquet hail."
and probably no fewer than 80 per-
sons 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 oddly, as nowadays it would be
considered, was the arrangement of the
table, upon which all the dishes to be
served, including even the buildings 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 of course, at the Christ
mas dinner, as well as all other occa-
sions, the table was waited upon by
slaves. who did duty as house servants.
Two were allotted to each guest, so
that quite a number were required. All
of the eatables had to be conveyed a
considerable distance. the kitchen be-
ing detached from the mansion, with
which 1t was connected by a covered
way.
At the houses of the great Virginia
families at that period it was custom
airy for the slaves to wait on the table
in the ordinary plantation garb. But
Mt Mount Vernon many things were on
scale of exceptional luxury, and the
negroes who performed such service
were clad in Washington's own livery
of red, white and gold, which was
handsome and striking.
The necessity of supper was removed
by great prolongation OF the dinner,
at which each person was expected to
eat all that he or she possibly could.
In fact, it was the duty of the hostess
gently to persuade her guests to gorge
themselves to repletion, while the host
made 1t his business to press wine and
other drinkables upon the men to an
extent which in these times would be
considered most imprudent.
At certain period of the meal 1t
was Washington's custom to rise from
his chair, holding a glass of Madeira
In his hand and bowling right and left,
to say Gentlemen. 1 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
bun and hunt the slipper were not suf
fciently undignified in the eyes OF
Washington to be INDUCED In. The
Washington family Christmas gifts
were exhibited, and Nellie Custis was
always called upon to play on her harp
sIchord.
A colored fiddler, one of the slaves
on the plantation. in picturesque plan
tatOn garD would De called In at
certain period, and when he would
start some merry music the young peo
Pile chose partners for the dance. Blu
the older ladies' and gentlemen pre-
ferred cards. Small stakes were usu
ally played for, but gambling for none.
to considerable amount was alway
most Objectionable to Washington. A
for Mrs. Washington, she would inva
riably enter into none of the genera
festivities, but would be the host t
such part of her guests who would no
care to indulge in either dancing o
\ cards.
1t was at late hour on the mornin
! following Christmas that the guest
| would take their departure and TIL
Washington household would quie
| dovun To ita ordinaru routina