Page:Things Seen In Holland (1912).djvu/136

 eve of the saint's name-day. His legend is widespread, as shown in our own Winchester Cathedral, and in many parts of France. The “Knickerbockers” who went to America imported the celebration of this feast into that country, where it still flourishes as Santa Claus, but where it is kept on Christmas Eve. To some of the Dutch who returned to their native land may be due Knecht Rupprecht (de zwarte knecht), the saint's man Friday, who would seem to personify the negro slave. At this festival there is a large consumption of klaasjes, special cakes taking the shape of a bishop in full canonicals.

As the children play mostly in the street, indoor games are few and far between; but outdoor games are the same, generally speaking, as played by boys in other European countries. Marbles and kooten (knuckle-bones) are universal favourites.