25th. Christmas Day! All night heard the music of tom-toms, &c. Rise early, and the whole town and house bore the appearance of a masquerade. After Church, amuse myself very much with the strange processions, and figures called Johnny Canoes. All dance, leap and play a thousand antics. Then there are groups of dancing men and women. They had a sort of leader or superior at their head, who sang a sort of recitative, and seemed to regulate all their proceedings; the rest joining at intervals in the air and the chorus. The instrument to accompany the song was a rude sort of drum, made of bark leaves, on this they beat time with two sticks, while the singers do the same with their feet. Then there was a party of actors. Then a little child was introduced, supposed to be a king, who stabbed all the rest. They told me that some of the children who appeared were to represent Tippoo Saibs children and the man was Henry the 4th of France. What a mélange! All were dressed very finely, and many of the blacks had really gold and silver fringe on their robes. After the tragedy, they all began dancing with the greatest glee. We dined in the Council Chamber, but went to bed early, but not to rest, for the noise of singing and dancing was incessant during the night. 26th The same wild scenes acting over and over again.

from the Diary of Lady Nugent, describing her first Christmas in Jamaica.

King's House, Spanish Town where Lady Nugent spent Christmas 1801. As portrayed by Adolphe Duperly in 1844.

and three years later . . .

 1804 December 22nd. Take my drive, and Mr. and Mrs. Kemble set off for Kingston, at the same time. It is a foolish marriage, but I hope they may prosper. - After breakfast, little G. distributed money to the black servants for Christmas. 24th. All the blackies half mad with their preparations for to-morrow. 25th. Christmas Day. - We both went to church, at 10. A long service, and, in my present weak state, very fatiguing. 26th. Nothing but bonjoes, drums, and tom-toms, going all night, and dancing and singing and madness, all the morning. - The Horsfords, the Grandjeans, &c. at second breakfast, and to see the sports at the King’s House. Some of our blackies were most superbly dressed, and so were several of their friends, who came to join in the masquerade; gold and silver fringe, spangles, beads, &c. &c. and really a most wonderful expense altogether. General N. gave the children money, and threw some himself among them from the gallery, and in the scramble all the finery was nearly torn to pieces, to my great vexation. However, they seemed not to mind it, but began dancing with the same spirit as if nothing had happened, putting their smart clothes into the best order they could. We gave them a bullock, a sheep and a lamb, with a dollar to every person in the house, from the oldest individual to the youngest infant; besides a complete new dress, with two changes of linen. - This is the case every Christmas, and at all festivals they have a present of clothing. Perhaps, however, it is more than is usually done; but, for the short time we are with them, we will make them as happy as we can. 27th. Noise all night; and, if possible, to-day worse than ever. - At dinner we had only Captain Quayle of the Artillery, in addition to our little party. - At 9, all was profoundly quiet throughout the town; for almost every woman as well as every man was so exceedingly tipsy, they could do nothing but sleep; and I may say, too, so thoroughly fatigued with their dancing and masquerading, poor things! though people say, they are all really so drunk they are unable to move. 28th. Order again restored, and all going on as usual. - Poor General N. much harassed and vexed, by the dispute between Colonels Horsford and Gordon. They are both married men, and have families, which adds much to his anxiety to reconcile them.

Christmas in Jamaica

the worthy frog