The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-01-03
NEW YEARS DAY IN THE METROPOLIS.
HOW 1T WAS CELEBRATED.
THE NEW CITY GOVERNMENT.
MAYOR WOODS MESSAGE.
&c, &c., DC.

The old and time -honored custom handed down to us
by our Dutch ancestors observed yesterday by all
classes with as much If not more rest than former
years. The bouneous hospitality which always charac
erizes the occasion did appear suffered any
dimnution in consequence OF the hard times. Every
appeared to be In the best OF humor with himself
and all the rest of the world and for the prevailing
tghtnes in the money market 1t forgotten for the
day at least buried in the grave with the
pleasant thoughts OF the dead year. To say that the
bes groaned with good things would be but repetition
of an old trusm but the imperative commands of JUS
tce require it's repetition, and therefore say that
"the tables groaned with good things" The weather
all that could be desred-so said every person. and
what every person said must be true. In fact there
was nothing to nd fault with, IL except the side
walks, some portions of which appeared TO be
rather slippery about nighfal II we may Judge from
the difficulty which few pedestrians experienced In
preserving their perpendicular The unchartable might
entertain another opinion of the matter there is no
doubt that the have assigned for II Is the
correct one Old associations renewed, and those
who had failed In the fulhlment Of the obligations OF
friendship, mutually pledged themselves to more
strict observance Of them in future The calls com.
menced about nine O'Clock in the morning, and were
tinued till ten eleven but the festivities OF the day
kept up till q somewhat later hour. The streets
crowded usual with visiting parties, call
ing In crowds Of from six to twenty while few OF less
gegarous nature preferred to go alone The boys par
ticularly seemed to enjoy themselves and although
their natural love of the ridiculous ss them to make
occasional reflections the elegant and graceful
ShanghAe coats they treated with good
leration and the regarded their remarks
excusabe peasanres Among the turn-outs there were
that attracted more attention than the express
wagons, which crowded with the employees of the
of had L.
and eight horses which decorated with head
of waving pumes and other gay trappngs. Carriages
bugges, &C. also In demand, but should think
less than last year, the weather favorable
for walking The city wore happy cheerful appear
ance, both In doors and out. The ladies never looked
more beautfu-a fact they frequently reminded Of
during the day H their vsiters they certainly never
appear to better advantage than when dispensing the
hospitalities Of such occasion.
We regret to say that in parts Of the city few
rather unpleasant enacted which served
the general rejoicing and wife murdered by her
husband while In state Of intoxication There were
also accidents but believe they aoe OF
very serious nature.
In the general harity tho public in
stitutons we're not forgotten At Randals Island the
children were treated good dinner something rather
betior than the usual soup and bread given them.
After which Mr.. Yale exhibited model OF Mount Yer.
non, the home Of Washington, at which the children
pressed great delight.
onward's Island also the day appropriately spent
in feasng and other equally interesting exercises For
this purpose the Board OF Education their last
ing had appropriated s125. Several Of the Com
missioners the Island experimenting the fes
tvities.
The Mayors o6ce crowded. and at time there
not less than six thousand persons around the City
Hall. The new Mayor-Mr Wood-the Chief Of Police,
aud large number Of officials present and yester
day being also the frst Monday Of the year well
New Years Day, all the members Of the new city 20.
vernment were In. While this ceremony was
going inside the appearance Of things outside was
somewhat different. The steps Of the Hall and the open
space in front hrongcd with motley gathering.
Some listening t6 John Paul and other itinerant
speakers declamng with great energy the hard times
and other unpleasant topics while crowds Of ragged lit
tie urchins shouting and screaming, IL yeing
with the speakers in making much noise and confl
sion as possible.