THE BURGHERS 115

falling generally in late May or early June. The
orchards were then white with blossoms and the "
grass thick with dandelions and spring flowers.
Children set out early to gather boughs from the
green woods. These boughs they sprinkled with
water and left over the doors of late sleepers that
the sluggards might be drenched on opening the
door. At first all was innocent merriment, gather-
ing of Pinkster flowers, and picnicking; but for
some unexplained reason this festival was gradually
relegated to the negroes. Apple-jack was freely
consumed, barbaric dances began, and fun so far
degenerated into license that the white people and
their children shunned the festivity.

The Kermis, an Old World festival, was one of
those early introduced at New Amsterdam. It
originated centuries before and had taken its name
from the JcerJc mis or church mass. In the olden
days it was celebrated with pomp and solemnity,
but it early developed a more festive character.
Booths and stalls were erected for a market, and
dances and processions were organized. The first
stroke of the clock at noon opened at the same
moment the market and the first dance. The last
stroke saw white crosses nailed on all the bridges
across the canal and on the market place. It was