Daniel> Further to this, the face changes are made by Daniel> `initialize-custom-faces'. This is called from Daniel> `custom-initialize-frame', because the global frame Daniel> properties don't match the new frame properties. Daniel> These values come from `get-custom-frame-properties', with Daniel> the global properties already being cached in Daniel> `default-custom-frame-properties'. Daniel> The value in there, incidentally, has `light' as the Daniel> background. Piecing together the information from this thread, I find that the following will solve my problem: (setq frame-background-mode 'dark) (setq default-custom-frame-properties '(type x class color background dark)) I did this inside a running XEmacs. Not sure if it will work when put in the ~/.emacs file. I am sure this is not the right way to do it. Thanks, -- Alexander Burchell Wilshire Associates aburchel(a)wilshire.com (310) 899-2303