The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-01-26
THE WINTER CARNIVAL OF 1856
A Days Sleighsng In she MetropoIis-sighfs
and Scenes I'm Brosdway-The Pleasures 0r
. Slesgh-lRide &c.

Our city is now In the full enjoyment OF the winter
carnival and the streets are jocund with the merry
music of the sleigh bells Even while write, the
cries and cheers Of the occupants OF wheess carriages
break upon ear and New York TO have lost its
usual sobrety Of dsmeanor in the excitement Of the
hour The metropolis is, in fact, out upon spree and
judging from present Appearances win be two or three
days At least before II RECEIVERS from s effects All ages
and to participate in the pleasures OF the
moment and forget, for the time being the and
troubles Of every day life Those who would see how
people enjoy themselves dRring the carnival should
visit Broadway which, as Jefferson Brick would say,
whips the universe Hero he win and perfect Illus
taton of the democratic character Of the country for
here all masle perfect equality. The bon ton Of
the Fifth avenue sweep along in their magnificent
turn,outs, with their hyeried drivers, beside the
democratic stage sleighs with their merry laughing
crowds; and those who forced to 60
afoot because they afford the expense Of the
get seat the other appear to enjoy the sport
much as their occupants. People may talk a. much
they like about sleigh riding in the country, but for
our part-and We speak from expcrience-we wouldn't
compare II with the excitement Of dashing sweeping
ride Of the avenues. II makes sne's tin
gle and pulse beat quicker to three four ars class
seighs sweep along in q wild in which the very
horses appear to be imbued with the spirit Of RI
vay that actuates their drivers while the encouraging
cheers Of appaudng spectators ring out upon the clear
and frosty AR.
But all who have love OF the ludiarous will be
to have it graifed by ride in Of the Broadway
stage seghs. For sixpeuce he may indulge In four
mile ride In any Of the neat, commodious and elegant
vehicles, and see all that ia worth seeing in
our fashionable thoroughfaro Getting in at
the South ferry he will have full panoramic
view Of the sights and either side,
which would battle the arts OF the most finished painter
to portray with all their natural effect. The Bowling
Green, recalling to mind the pleasant "reminiscences Of
the pas-of the good old days whom phIegmac but
worthy Dutch ancestors ruled New Amstcrdam--whsa
building lots might be had for few dollars, and when
soup kitchens unknown the Astor House, bringing
back from the past to tho present. from the unciv
zed seventeenth century TO the refined moral ntelec
tua Christanring nineteenth, with all the wealth Of
its arts and sciences and all the luxury Of its wealth.
the City Hail. reminding us of what the municipal char
acter Of city should be- and what iof eIorbtant
rents, enormous taxation, and the hundred and ills
that attend bad legislation tho churches with all
the pous memories called up their fine architectural
proportions their exquisite stained glass windows
fectng the light Of heaven upon their worshippers la
every color but the natural one the handsome pews
with velvet cushions, and all the other decora
tions, so necessary to arouse In the mind
proper appreciation Of the truths of religion
AL this in sleighride up Broadway for the
remarkably low charge OF sixreace. But this is not
all for II he spare time from the contemplation Of
these sishts, he must be amused At what Is going
immt distely around him Every wants to rid in
the stage sleigh, and every who has got the
spare, must be accommodated, although the accom-
mediation frequently of the most meagrc description
There peculiarty about these sleighs, too which
should be noticed. Although every seat Is occupied,
they full while there il vacant spot inside
outside TO stand upon No matter about this, however,
Il you want comfortable seat 70 down 70 South ferry
the Battery and you win be to get up far
the Park at least for after that II will to be
Portable from the press OF the crowd. And then be.
sides, your gallanry win not permit you TO lady
standing when you accommodate So after ALL your
seat is not such thing you might imagine at
the outset. But, however with all these drawbacks
you ought to be satsfed-you the sleigh, or on
IL, and that Is something, IL you are not forced
to get of for your hat which mschievous urchin
has knocked on with a well directed SNOWFALL. You re
II after while, and after another while you
you squaninty, aud feel just in the mood
joy the joke practsed at the expense OF another
The sleigh stops suddenly In the middle OF race with
another, during which II every moment in danger
Of q collision, asd woman, With child arm, two
baadboxes another, and interesting youngster
hanging by her skirts, makes sundry dumb signs at
the driver Some Of the passengers Indignant but
the majority, being generally in good humor see the
point of the joke, and gentleman OF selfsacrac-
ing disposition prepares TO resign his seat The band
boxes handed to the driver who Is to lot one Of
them fall and put his foot into II Immediately after in
his attempts to pick II up. passenger offers 70 assist
her by taking the baby but the baby and herself are In
separabethey must go in together and they eventually
dothen the turn Of the aforesaid youngssr who
has had in the interim from being
by the sleghs ramped under the feet OF the
horses They all safely In having disodged two three
from their seats TO make for the LADY
pance with polite request Of tine dsnsrested driver
and the driver prepares 10 start He of NJ last but
before he has proceeded couple Of blocks he Is again
compelled to stop for fat gentlemAn who goes through
the same dumb show before noticed and who Is even.
tualy slowed away In ths convenient place much
to the pleasure Of his immediate nsighbors who are
unable to the fun at which the rest are making
grimsces. These interesting incidents in sleigh riding
are occasionally varied with shower Of snow balls,
which amusement hswever Is sometimes attended with
Me most serious consequences Last evening passen
ser in Of the Broadway sisighs was struck with
lump OF hard snow Ice In the face, and 80 severely
injured that she tainted She received severe cut on
the forehead from which the blood flowed profuseiy
In addition TO this, may mention another which
not however, so serious. One Of the officials Or the
City Hall was struck the with such force
tnat his eountenance soon decorated with one Of
those facial embellishments known the technical Ian
gusge Of scientins men as "a pepper" These, how
ever, the dark sides Of the picture.
But Broadway Ia not the only thoroughfsre In winch
the carnival IL enjoyed. The Bsvsry, the avenues snd
even the bystreets are nlsd with all kinds Of .Icghs
and sisdges and resound with
Tintinabulatlon that 90 musically swell.
From the bells bells bells
Prom the rhy1ing And the Ginning Of the bells
These not unfrequsnty blended with the rather d.,
eords ut notes Of hsh hora upon which some aspiring
musician sndeavors 10 play, Jordan 10 hara road TO
trave or the equally elegant and rcansd air Of wst
for the wagon" But after all what critic would Gnd
fault With him. The great philosopher poe, says
An discord q harmony not under stood