The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-11-19
THANKSGIVING IN NEW YORK.
Csthan,Ites Feasting and Praylng-How tao
Day was Celcbrated-Rio and Homie dc
at Harlem-The BenevO' 'eDt lnstitu-
tons Ceremonies at the Five
Points Shameful Hoax ON
the Poor at Union Square
-MIlitary Paradcs,

naossgivne Dav was generally observed in this city yes
>ray business being almost entirely suspended and tho
Sav soent in church going paradiDg ard dinner eating
n accordance with the time honored traditions Of the
ritan fathers
The Puritans certainly deserve great consideration for
Snsttutug this holiday. Before their time religious cere-
monies we're associated with abstinence, fasting, agea
lions and other uncomfortable osservances, mat were
very hard 70 comply with. But the Puritans made the
notable discovery that people could pray give thanks,
s,nc hyns and eat fat turkeys for dinner without doing
any serious damage their souls and those writers VINO
inycrh 50 heartily against the early New Enslanders for
,hc;r austers and harsh Of those who differed
from, them IN OPINION should at least be grateful for
rsanksgiyng day the genial and beautiful holiday
eytant
Me churches yesterday thronged to hear the
thanksgiving addresses delivered by city cergymen,
who make il point to excel themselves this interest
inc OCCASION We space for these Efforts but they
were generally of very interesting character.
The charitable Institutions also, not forgotten this
year and the abundant means supplied to them by our
benevolent citizens will suffice TO give the poor food and
raiment for some time to come 1t very common for
people the rural districts to indulge in dcnuncatons
and lamentations at the wickedness and rascay
pant in this city, but they overlook the fact that pro-
norton 10 ts means New York contributes abundany for
the support OF the The public institutions on Black
wells and Randalls Islands cost TINS city over SSOooo0
per year and private beney olence probably dsburses
much larger sum- for such of the poor that do not
wish be under the disgrace Of being public pauPcrs
Thanksgiving probably never 80 generally kept
in New York as this season the feastng and rejoicing
were nearly universal Formerly New Workers proper
believed only in two days in the year-New Years day
and the Fourth OF July but the admxture OF population
from the New England States has gradually Infused an
approximate idea of the importance OF thanksgiving to
which they entertain and the natural love OF the
for holiday accompanied by possible turkey and
plum pudding, soon bring out union Of sentiment n the
entire community. Generally large proportion Of our
city merchants leave their elegant nansons and
spend Thanksgiving day in the old homoseads which are
scattered all the hills and valleys Of New England
and doubtless the prncipll OF the extended
Of the day in midst arose from the fact of
lis having been appointed in this State week ahead OF
time thus giving opportunity TO Eastern Of doing
honor the their own homes and at the same
time not neglect their annual pilgrimage To the scenes OF
their childhood.
twas ucssant novelty to see the brown stone fronts
generally quiet and apparently iecss during business
hours al agog with the hustle Of preparation, aud the
presence OF Idt fditiaS in morning gown and slippers
Down stars servants busslBg AMID sights, sounds aud
smells pleasant TO come In contact with when they fore
shadow the gbres Of prospective qualification OF the
inner Such roast turkeys ana boiled ham, such
boiled turkeys and ser sauce such ponpSn pies and
plum pudding such dishes OF tempting vegetables, and
tall glasses full OF celery well, Old Connecticut VIII
have work hard 10 beat New York this year. Then
the excitement oil tho children the smiling satslacton Of
the cooking progresses TO the measure ei
her DESIRES and the ua fulnlcnt of all hopes and anti
clpations around the plcntifuy nled board.
Down town the was by ~ means so attractivc
the and eating saloons which usually hcd
IN the middle Of the day by crowds OF hungry men,
aeft deserted and tenantess The waters lounged dy
around, occasionally shaking Their white NAPKINS n tue
aca OF poor starved ny and yany watching for tho
usual oemaDes for "broiled' and "roasto few mcan
choly struggling individuals sneakcd in by times with the
air OF persons about 10 rob hen roostfceng that an
entrance into such place, such day, was equivalent
10 confession of entire loneliness amt dcsolatons,ns
wife, sans home, sans friends, sans every thing.