The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-12-25

Christmas has far more OF oyousness and quiet self
content than New Years Day The birth OF the
new year brings with il sad retrospecton, and wea-
ryiug anxiety for the uncertain future; but on the
morn on which we commemorate the advent oil
The Savior of the world no such sorrowfu repennngs
and gloomy fears cloud the horizon. Do we not
wish each other merry Christmas, quite the
antithesis of ''happy new year y II IS properly
taken for granted that Christmas all should be
happy, and the familiar aspiration of friendship is
far from running the risk of profonaion of the sacred
day, when 1t implicitly exhors all TO be gay and
merry.
And why should not our hearts be filled with Joy
and gladness on this festive day y They sadly mis-
app ebend the true character OF pure and undehled
religion, who would frown down all innocent en-
joyment and recreation. One of the ENDS ii the be-
pevoleni institutions of the Sabbath ITSELF was. to
afford to man periodical respite from the cares and
turmoil of the "toing and dim earth" Long, then,
may these festal holy days continue to command
our respect and affectionate regards
But still more reprehensble than that morose
Pharisaism, which would interdct the right jevial
hearted observance Of this day, is the greveing
spirit of vice, which seeks in the occasion, an ex-
cuse for ntemperance and debauchery. lmmode-
ration and excess are at such time more than ev-
er bestial. Let the day be celebrated, then, with
calm and sober Joy, that brings repentance on
the morrow, and which will add another beatifed
Christmas day to those shining in the past
But long homilIes have ever been our abomIna-
tlon and with this brief exhoration to the temper
ate, though joyful celebration OF the most sacred of
all religious festivals, wish thee, gentle reader,
fright merrie Christmas"
"
NEW THEORY OF THE DESTRUCTION OF THE Hu-
Rae "A hla onno nj m Eaf berM
has appeared in the field In the person of DR.. Par
ker of the Crosby street school. In lecture deli
vered Thursday evening last, he proved evident
y with great satisfaction TO HIMSELF that the final
destruction OF the human race not to be effect
ed by means of material fire. according to some
commentators but by serofula, vulgary denomina-
ted the Kings Evil. This invisible destroyer, has,
the Dr. contended, been at work since the pri-
meva apple, brought death into the world, and from
its operation the race OF all man has been gradually
decreasing despite of that Brother Matthias says to
the contrary DR.. Parker did not enter into any
minute calculation respecting the length of time
which would elapse before this terrible agent of
initiation, would have completed Its ravages. The
advocates of the Malthusian doctrines may dis.
miss their fears respecting the ultimate prospects of
mankind. The race is not destined to be destroyed
by multiplication, but is inevitably doomed to grow
"small by degrees and beautifully less" till the ''last
man" bids farewell to the miry ways of this unce-
lestial world.
STONE DOCKS VS.. FLOATING DocKs.-Without feel
ing the remotest interest in the nature of the dock
which may be constructed al Brooklyn, we have
fet much surprise that the claims of floating dock
have been pressed with SD much zeal on the atten-
ton OF the government, to the exclusion of good |
stone dry dock
whenever the government undertakes an impor |
tan public work, it should be constructed in the
most permanent manner The stone docks in Lii |
verpoo and London will endure for a thousand |
years. with no other repairs than merely in the use
OF the wooden gates TO let in and shut off the wa
ter. Some of the London docks have already stood |
near one hundred years. with scarcely any expense
for repairs.
All wooden structures, subject TO be made wet
and dry alternately, will, in comparatively few
years, undergo decay, and must periodically under
go reconstruction, at great expense, and constantly
require repairs.
Suppose stone dock does cost one million of dol
lars, and proves durable as the capitol at Wash
lngton, it will yet be much cheaper in the end than
wooden dock $3.50, 900, which would be liable to
constant decay, and require in few years complete
reconstruction at the same expense of $3.50, 900.
much greater than in wooden dock las in the former
case every part ofthe immense ship would rest on
fixed and solid support while in the latter instance
the floating wooden dock would itself rest alone on
water. As this water would be liable to constant
agitation by tides and by winds, producing swells
and changes IN It's surface, the floating mass would
necessarily yield TO its influence, and the vessel by
being thus unequaly supported, would be liable to
serious damage in its tmbers. In some instances
she would be liable to hog, or part in her seams
vessel OF war, costing near half million of dollars
mightbe thus very much damaged.
The attempt thus making TO humbug the govern
ment, must be ascribed to interested motives on the
part OF many OF those who pressing the project
OF wooden dock on the Navy Department.
THEATRIcAL.-The second grand vocal concert
given by INiblo, takes place tomorrow night, and
Niblo has reduced the prices of admission to fifty
cents. Mrs. Sutton, Miss E. Sutton, and the Bra
hams will appear on this occasion, and crowded
house is certain
Hackett Is at present rusticatng at his place on
Long Island; but in few days he sets out for the
South, and will commence playing his line of cha.
racters at New Orleans
WEIGH, the great equestrian manager is making
great preparations for taking possession of the Park
Theatre, which he will convert into circus on the
9th OF January next. We understand that his COM
pany OF horses contains some of the most talented
performers that have ever made their appearance in
this country Some of those noble animals have
more wit and humor than great many of the actors
Of the day, and certainly excel all of those in spirit
WEIGH will introduce the Franconi style of eoues-
rianshp from Paris. Beautiful young women,
dressed as Turkish Processes will perform exraor-
binary ieats of Workmanship, but all with perfect
regard to propriey and decorum. We also under
stand that negotiation has commenced between
WEIGH on one part, and Burton and Placide on the
other. The latter desire an engagement to appear
in the character Of the rival clowns for one night or