anage both with a will.
In the city suburbs there are many modest little frame-houses
inhabited by the blacks; now and then a homely inn kept by a dusky
landlord. Here in Christmas time you will witness many jolly and
infectiously pleasant scenes. There is a 'sound of revelry by night.'
You are free to enter, and observe near by the countless gyrations of
the negro cotillon, the intricate and deftly executed jig, the rude
melody of banjos and 'cornstalk fiddles.' They are always proud to
have 'de white folks' for spectators and applauders, and will give
you the best seat, and will outdo themselves in their anxiety to show
off at their best before you. You will be astonished to observe the
scrupulous neatness of the men, the gaudy and ostentatious habiliments
of 'de ladies.' The negroes have an intense ambition to imitate the
upper classes of white society. They will study the apparel of a
well-dressed gentleman, and squander their money on 'swallow-tail'
coats, high dickeys, white neckties, and the most elaborate arts of
their dusky barbers. The women are even more imitative of their
mistresses. Ribbons, laces, and silks adorn them, on festive
occasions, of the most painfully vivid colours, and fashioned in all
the extravagance of negro taste. Not less anxious are they to imitate
the manners of aristocracy. The excessive chivalry and overwhelming
politeness of the men towards the women is amazing. They make gallant
speeches in which they insert as many of the longest and most learned
words as they can master, picked up at random, and not always
peculiarly adapted to the use made of them. Their excitement in the
dance, and at the sound of music, grows as intense as does their furor
in a Methodist revival meeting. They have, too, dances and music
peculiar to themselves--jigs and country dances which seem to have no
method, yet which are perfectly adapted to and rhythmic with the
inspiring abrupt thud of the banjo and the bones. As they dance, they
shout and sing, slap their hands and knees, and lose themselves in the
enthusiasm of the moment. The negroes look forward to Christmas not
less as the season for present-giving than that of frolicking and
jollity. Early in the morning they hasten upstairs, and catch 'massa'
and 'missus' and 'de chillun' with a respectful but eager 'Merry
Christmas,' and are sure to get in return a new coat or pair of boots,
a gingham dress, or ear-rings more showy than expensive. They have
saved