The New York herald., 1845-01-03

New YxAR's Day IN NEw YoRK.-As fine JAN
uary day ever shone from the heavens ushered
in the advent Of l845 New Years day is always
a remarkable epoch for the lovers of fun and ex-
element; striking one in social point OF view,
as being the period when gentlemen, young and
DID, even including old bachelors, are free to visit
young ladies, without liability to be suspected OF
lurking regard for any object but conventional
usage. 1t il also peculiarly welcome day to
news-men, cab-men, confectioners, wine-bibbers,
and the friends of publicans, for that day these
latter functionaries are wont to keep open house
custom whose popularity has nothing to fear from
the hostility of any sect party excepting the die
tinguished originators Of the manufacture of Gold
Water Punch in the Park Fountain. But the New
Year does not begin with delight, nor shine holiday
for all classes. Dsconsolate door-keepers are har
rassed by the monotony Of importunate knockers |;
theatrical managers lose all management OF them
selves in their anxiety for the fate Of their no
velties;" cooks are oppressed, and buffers over
powered; Mayors become martyrs to the formali-
ties OF levees; and horses are driven to show
their faith in whipcord by an increase in the rapid
ity of their locomotion.
All these truths and many more were no doubt
faithfully illustrated on last New Years Day; yet,
Notwithstanding the beauty of the weather and the
prosperity Of the times there was, in the forenoon,
apparently less than the customary amount Of bus
tie and fan, and merriment and hilarity. There
were abundance of visitors on the rounds certainly,
and this constituted the principal feature Of the
day. From an early hour continuous stream Of
pedestrians literally covered the streets, effect
produced most easily, as they had already been
~ IS
species of nuisance, to depth almost as great as
the laziness and incompetency of those who are
paid. and who pledged their promises, as lovers OF
reform, to sweep them. The incessant noise OF
knockers was heard on every hand and frequent
ly, as one passed along, they might overhear re
mark such as, "Do you recollect the number r.
"Oh, we'll find that out the names on The door;"
plainly showing that previous familiarity was by
no means considered an essential to confer "the
right of visit )" it destitute Of interest in
another point of view, being the first general re-
cognition Of "thelright of search, (for the resi-
dences of friends,l upon record bylAmericans. In
the west end carriages were rolling the rounds in
large numbers, and now and again q snowy livery
reminded the spectator of more aristocratical
countries, where the curious operation isperfermed
of driving coaches through acts of Parliament ;
where footman's value Is in proportion to the
circumference of the calf Of his leg, and where the
maker Of the one and the master of the other is
esteemed profound according to the profundity Of
his purse and where the extent Of his knowledge
is considered proportionate to that of his estates
One of the principal attractions Of the day was
Collector Van Ness's reception OF his friends at
Tammany Hall. For sumptuous and elegant pre-
paratons, the hospitabc rites Of this agreeable OBJ
seryance could oaot possibly be surpassed. The
Collector was waited upon by several thousands
whose congratulations were rendered to him upon
the confirmation Of his appointment to the high Of.
flee he holds, by the Senate, and his manner was
most felicitous and pleasing to all who visited him.
All who went were welcomed heartily, and all
went away as heartily gratiied
The Mayor, too, held kind Of levee, which
was pretty numerously attended. If there was a
more limited expenditure Of wit and wine At this
"native" grapes and lemonade was immeasarably
greater we believe the last mentioned article dis
appeared in enormous quantities. His Honor was
particularly affable, and none who waited upon
him returned without either nod, a wink, or I
shake Of the hand. In the afternoon, Get Of
choice spirits waited upon the Mayor at his resi-.
dence, and by way Of compliment to him. kepdup
aprolonged noise Of bassoons, serpents, trombones
and banjos, which they called serenade A large
detachment of newsbeys were ON the spot, and In
terlarded: the musical performances with few
notes of exclamation, such as here's the Herald,
look out for squalIs-where are the scavengers
three cheers for the apple-women," and numer-
GUS other shrewd and pointed remarks. with which
it is said his Honor was not over delighted.
As evening approached, severa, remarkable ind-
cations were observable that events were beginning
to thicken, and that before the expiration of the
first day of the New Year, there would be some
spicy and unique doings in Gotham. About that
hour, which suggested itself az the one after din
ner, there might, to observant eye, be seen omi
nous gatherings of devilmay ay-care-looking fellows
about the entrances of grog shops, hotels and
vansaries; knots of industrious yawuers about
lamp posts and sundry pcquets Of rolicking sailors
making their way up town, to kick up spree, and
look out for chances. By and bye, the disposition
of these numerous forces had undergone change ;
formations ON most extensive scale took place in
side, instead Of outside the grog shops; great
noise Of glasses in motion succeeded, and in a
short time the traveller in the streets was inter-
cepted, occasionally by men "half seas over, "
and others hard up" Towards sunset, the nui-
sance had increased to great extent indeed,
there is hardly street person entered but several
!" decided cases. Of in:oxicatlon presented them
selves to the sight, and by ten o'clock those who
were "glorious''-withIn the grog shops and with
out-were past computation About this hour they
began to become pretty noisy, and we understand
that several very gallant affairs came off between
the votaries Of Bacchus and the Watchmen, in
which the latter invariably came off second best
A large quantity of gun2owder was expended in
the course OF the day, and to the great credit OF
grocer's attaches, and draper's assistants, grand.
mothers pets, and unruly schoolboys-the most
interminable cracking Of pistols-pocket, cavalry,
revolving and every other sort-met the ear,
wherever there was an open door or gateway-or
any convenient aperture through which to make
the folks In the street smell powder. Now, and
again too,we were gratiied by procession Of anna
teur originals, decked out in groteaque toggery,