ted Papist, Lord Baltimore, into Maryland,
and by that chivalric group of Virginian colonists, of whom the
central historical figure is the famous Captain John Smith, of
Pocahontas memory. Perhaps Christmas was even the more heartily
celebrated among these true Papist and Church of England settlers from
the disgust which they felt at the stern contempt in which the Natal
Day was held by 'stiff-necked Puritans' of New England. At least,
while in New England the pilgrims were wont to work with exceptional
might on Christmas Day, to show their detestation of it, traditions
are still extant of the jovial Southern merrymaking of the festival.
Christmas, with many of the Old England customs imported to the new
soil, derived new spirit and enjoyment from customs which had their
origin in the Colonies themselves. Above all was it the gala
season--the period to be looked forward to and revelled in--of the
negroes. Slavery, with all its horrors and wickedness, had at least
some genial features; and the latitude which the masters gave to the
slaves at Christmas time, the freedom with which the blacks were wont
to concentrate a year's enjoyment into the Christmas week, was one of
these. In Washington, where until the war slavery existed in a mild
and more civilised form, the negro celebrations of Christmas were the
peculiar and amusing feature of the season. And many of these customs,
which grew up amid slavery, have survived that institution. The
Washington negroes, free, have pretty much the same zest for their
time-honoured amusements which they had when under the dominion of the
oligarchy. Christmas is still their great gala and occasion for
merry-making, and the sable creatures thoroughly understand the art of
having a good time, being superior, at least in this respect, to many
a _blase_ Prince and Court noble distracted with _ennui_. Those who
have seen the 'Minstrels' may derive some idea, though but a slight
one, of the negro pastimes and peculiarities. They are, above all, a
social, enthusiastic, whole-souled race; they have their own ideas of
rank and social caste, and they have a humour which is homely, but
thoroughly genial, and quite the monopoly of their race. They insist
on the whole of Christmas week for a holiday. 'Missus' must manage how
she can. To insist on chaining them down in the kitchen during that
halcyon time would stir up blank rebellion. Dancing and music are
their favourite Christmas recreations; they m