Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-25
yofaI ann Ytrsanal.


tvity of our Lord, and celebrated, not only by the
religious ceremonies from which the name is
taken, but by popular festivities Of the most joyful
kind.
The children of the present day, as their parents
long before Them especially look forward to Christ
mas with intense solictude, for reasons not neces-
sary be repeated further than that the loose rein
is given to indulgence, and Krss Kringe pays hrs
credited annual visit, to I'LL their stockings with
something less substantial, but far more accepta-
ble than human legs and toys and books are dis
distributed without stint. II is well known that
the adult population are not unmoyed and indif-
ferent to the characteristics Of the anniversary,
and have their own way of celebration. But we
cannot satisfactorily account for egg-nogg drink
ing and turkey-eating as necessarily connected
witlythe observances ofthe day.
Very many Christmas bushes have been pur-
chased within the past week; and yesterday the
market was extravagantly green with them, In
fact, we have never before seen so many of them
on sale during any former similar season. This
feature of Christmas, therefore, has been revived,
I to the delight of children, many Of whom we no
ticed joyfully trotting with bushes over their
shonders) behind turkeys, carried in the hands or
in the baskets of their indugent parents.
The stores, of all kinds nearly were filed
throughout yesterday with purchasers. Much
pleasant excitement was everywhere exhibited,
in making suitable selections Of presents, from a
dancing jack to piano. Money did not seem TO
be at all scarce; and il occurred to us that there
all classes having a greater command Of funds
than on ordinary occasions. A human being, Of
two years old and upwards, who does not cele-
brate Christmas in some manner, is probably not
10 be found within our city borders.
The municipal authorities, however, mediate
spelling some of the contemplated sport and have
published proclamation, warning persons against
the firing Of squibs, fre-crackers, or other pyro-
technic preparations, within one hundred yards Of
any dwelling-house the violation Of the statute
10 be visited with fines stripes; the latter If the
offender be slave. But, ii the police officers en-
force this law, they will have TO circulate in the
city more expediously than heretofore, and keep
their eyes little wider open than ever. Boys
s0iH have their sport they conceive that they in
herted the right TO explode gunpowder from their
ancestors and, like the political liberty bequeathed
10 them by their revolutionary sires, they will
stubbornly maintain it, irrespective of municipal
promnmcimentost
From the preparations generally made for the
celebration of Christmas, we anticipate whole-
sale diffusion of joy; and our hope is that all
reasonable anticipations may be realized.
Effects of the Wind.-On Friday evening,
about six O'Clock, the planning establishment Of
Mr. Coyle, on the line Of the canal, near the Four
ieenth street bridge, suffered considerably from
ahe effects of the Northwestern that so fearfuly
howled and kept up such a clatter among moyea-
bile outdoor objects The wind forced its way
under the tin roof. rolling up and folding the ne
talic substance, and wrenchine the rafters from
their fastenings, at the same time Juggling at the
brick walls until the upper story fel--two sides,
on the north and the west, into the building, and
the ether two sides on the exterior. The house,
with the xccntion of the lower story, Is a CONF
pleie wreck. The steam machinery, however,
was not injured The workl..an had Quilted the
establishment. only an hour before Ia event.
Had il happened at an earlier period in the day,
fatal consequences would probably, have resulted.
We congratulate them upon their escape.
When we visited the scene yesterday morning.
A"SSi"AASS 1919 iSAAOsAA6 tiAC iuoDiSh iTOm
second foor--a disagreeable employment, as the
wind blowing with somewhat less vigor than on
the night before but not from the toyyid zone.
The loss to the proprietor is considerable, apart
from that which will ensue from temporary ces-
sation Of business.
The frame of building on D street, near the
railroad station, owned by Mr.. w. B. Davis, was
blown over causing a loss Of several hundreds Of
dollars TO that gentleman.
In addition to other pranks Of the wind, we
learn that the root of Mr.. Ephraim Wheelers
dwelling house, on Virginia avenue was lifted and
whirled distance Of about sixty feet from the
building
Assessment and Collection of Taxes.-The
city collector, Mr.. r. J. Roche, in compliance
with resolution Of the board Of common council,
has submitted to the mayor Of the city the follow
ing statement:
Amount of tax on an assessment of
personal property of $l,327l6O for
the year 1852. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. $9,953 10
Amount collected and accounted for to
June 80, 1853. ................... 6,577 SIS
Leaving an apparent balance of. S 1876 Is
From which should be deducted, on ac-
count of personal property sold at
puDHc auctlOn, removed from the
city, &C.. before the taxes levied be.
came due, and which have been con-
tinued on the books as charge
against the collector in many cases
since the general assessment Of 1S49. 949 Al
Leaving real balance of...... $2426 6s
Amount Of commissions on ac-
count Of arrears of taxes
from 1885, 1851. 81, 79S go
Fees allowed by law for the
preparation and sale of de-
linquent properly from 1886
TO 1851. 723 20
Total commissions and fees
on account of arrearages... 2,521 40
Amount of commissions ION
account of the year 1852 -. 3,251 30
Fees allowed for preparation
and sale on account of the
year 1852. $1,000. ........ BIT 6S
Total commissions and fees on
account of the wear 1884,. 1860 90