The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-01-01
City Intelligence.
EXIT OF THE OLD YEAR.


The Old Year, If we are to believe the Almanac, ex-
pred Last night at II o'clock and, to make amends
for its various misaeeds, favored with Sun
day the ne Of which have not had for months
The air was clear and brang with just enough Of cold
To make little exercise all that necessary for the
perfect enjoyment Of the day. What makes the gift
doubly valuable is the fact, that it was an extra
Sunday-the fifty third have had in this year This
Circumstance will not again until the year 1885,
Sermons preached yesterday in many OF the
churches having reference to the ending OF the present
year Among others, Dr. Cox preached in the Madison
pquare church. the thoughts suggested
by the closing year The Methodists held their usual
watch night meetings in their various churches, to
he ! churches, many of them, we're crowded
Iexcess by young and old to listen to the celebrations
ressed them from the sacred desk to begin the
lth pious resolves and pursr aspirations As the
bg wears away, and the hands of the clock point to
thin few minutes Of midnight the preacher after
living made his most touching appeal, requests the
aggregation to spend what remains of the old year in
pressive solemn stiffness rei5ns the entire con
gregation. Not q sound Is heard The most imp usive
brother, he who moment before was declsming with
great energy Ia now mute and every head is bowed
erenty waiting for the time when the minister would
exclam, "a happy new year, brethren" Then the
audibly The reserve, which momsn before restrained
all is removed and the congregation is dismissed amid
perfect Babel Of congratulations from all sides. The
streets at this time mt very different The
bells are pealng welcome to the incoming year. but
mingled with their tones be heard other sounds not
young parading the streets, calling at all the
restaurants they car find open and putting that into
blown and guns fred o the latter as general thing By
Germa who take this noisy method of expressing their
atifcaton at the advent of the new year It is quite
Late before the sounds all but by four O'Clock in
the morning all 10 still again.
NEW YEARS rAY-How IT WILL BE CELEBRATED
To-day, If we may judge by the preparations VIII ch
are being made, will be celebrated with the usual
spirit Business win be very generally suspended and
banks law courts, public buildings shops, stores &C.,
viii be closed for the day The Custom House officials
have issued the following
NonCE.-Monday, January !, being New Years DAY.
the Custom House wiz be open from to 10 o'clock A.
H., for the entry and clearance of vessels only.
HEMAN J. REDFlE d, Collector,
JOHN ROMEYN BR0DHEAD, Naval Officer.
JOHN C0CHRANE, Surveyor.
The only business done at the City Han will be the
swearing in OF the city government which will be
done according to Law, at noon when the new Mayor
win deliver his first annual message. What will
,here afterwards win be by the following card
CARD-Fernando Wood Mayor elect, will be happy
10 see his friends and fellow citizens New Years
fsy, at the Mayors Office, City Hall, from II to
Sciock P. NJ. VIII H. STEPHENS, First Marshal.
II is to be hoped that citizens will accept the nv
ton thus pthily announced and tender their congra
cations TO the Mayor elect wishing him not only
happy New Year. but that his conduct may be such
sto rebound TO his credit and 70 he good OF the city
s,jwhose government he IL called to preside As for
Itbuk Of citizens doubt they will spend the
Rypretty much usual Indeed, If the business done
ut the ectiopares bakeries, toy shops &c, afford
any evidence will have quite sprghtly New Years
day Huge piles apd candies greet the eye at
every turn. Oh Ereh look gretdiy at the tempting
dishes displayed in the store windows AMI the wonder
that they find sale The city papers TEEN with good
advice TO tn, ladies' who will receive calls to-day Some
have suggested that no tables should be set, and
them be devoted TO allev ate the prevalent dis
tress Others, again have recommended that
charity boxes be placed the table that the vsters
might contribute their mite for the thousands who are
suffering the pangs OF poverty in midst But what
Ii the Of obtruding this unwecome subject every
body, and at such q time thsS However, II any of
readers feel disposed to take advantage of these
hints, they can do II IL to be hoped that will
hereafter regret having spent their money for less
worthy object.
FIRE IN COLUMBIA sTREET--A CHILD NEARLY con-
sUMED.
Last evening between and o'clock the alarm
In the Fifth district was Occasioned by fire taking
place in the kitchen basement of the dwelling house No
b3 Columbia street The premises occupied by Mr.
b Svartz, and the moment the alarm given in the
house, Mr. Swarz down stairs to the basement and
rushing by the flames seized child three years OF age
from the bed which then in flames and extricated
the little fellow from being burnt to death He then
gave the child TO policeman Conklin, Of the Thirteenth
ward who convey it TO the station house and medical
aid was Immediately procured by Captain Russell,
when on examination the poor child found to be
burned the shoulder, back and foot, but not in
the PHYSICIANS opinion in dangerous manner. The
FIRE exnguished with few pals OF water by the
inmates OF the house and the neghbors The servant
girl at the time the fire discovered had been out
arlerrand leaving lighted candle the table but
how the FIRE caught the red is a mystery at present
The child belongs TO Mr. Joseph SLENDER who is at
present In Memphis Tennessee il having been left in
The charge Of Mr. Swartz. The whole matter will
oubt be Investigated by the Fire Marshal Mr. Swartz
tsan Insurance his household furniture OF $500, in
n,Mccbanics' and Traders Insurance Company. The
suage done will probably amount to $50.
tanT IcE IN Tm RIyE-Iarge quantities OF drift ice
bsed by the mild weather breaking up the ice above
Highlands has made its appearance in the East aud
nth rivers as well a. IN the bay II Is to be feared
tit win cause much damage to the shipping In the
fbor
EvISNa ScHoors-Tbe Board OF Education have given
lice that the evening schools win be opened on next
esdiy evening Jan. 2. These schools will afford
instruction free OF charge and will be opened to both
An evening school for coored people will be
commenced on the same evening.
Police Intelligence.
Charge Of BurQldry.-A young man named Thomas