The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-12-21

THE PREPARATIONS FOR THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF
THE TIMES AND SIGNS or THE TOY STORES.

country and city but 10 all countries wuere tne ihner OF
the Cross is unfurled Ia Europe Christmas AMI Christ
mas week have been celebrated tor centuries past
their religious services and festive occasons-hc weeho
probably observed with pomp and grandeur than
any other in the calendar. In this country, where
Young America" is developing his manly form, he
Is constantly introducing some principle or feature
calculated to make life easy an joyful. Christmas, there
FORE has received and is receiving its due share OF I'm
portance This is particularly the case in our cy-the
metropolis, which, In its position TO the Unop the
heart Ia to the human Frame it's life throbs and pusatons
felt from extreme of the country TO the other To
every State, from Maine to California; furnish new
ideasrom the managing Of wspoper, the conductngof
apotica meeting the ceremonies OF cable ceebra-
ton to como present subject the nducton
Of Christmas day. In these things are closely INITIATED
entirely copied by other States aud cities. This
spirit Of enterprise comes from the liberality OF
the "idding cass Of society, who rather than hoard
wealth 10 the deprivation of necessary bodily comforts,
causing premature death in porting over rusty dollars
with half filed stomach and emaciated frame, choose
rather 90 through the world with head erect and
cOutened heart With this class all the enterprises o.
tho day originate, which shed life and animation to all
around.
Go where you may, from to-day until after Christmas
yes, and until after New Year-our streets and our
from localities noted for their Fifth
stricken and there appear to be unusual life and ANNA
tjon The reverberates with the hum Of happy voices
that either from present comforts for the hope
oC those TO This say appears so but We take
It for granted that hundreds, yea thousands there are in
this great city who actually suffering from the want
OF the necessaries of life.
The stranger whose business transactions or plea
sure seeking propenses call him in our midst at the
present time cannot but bs forciby struck with the
life gaiety and busy air of our citizens. Indeed New
York presents the appearance, iguratively speaking
OF living panorama, an immense kaleidoscope,
decorated, viviHed aud adorned in initiate variety of
cclors to suit the varied observers This fact
will be clearly illustrated By leisure promenade
through Broadway, Bowery, Huison and Canal Streets
ard, indeed through any Of city thoroughfaros In
them life, fashion, display and bustle Every
where the eye is turned some Ingenious device called
into requsiton to attract and arrest attention-fashy
show cards, informing one of "A new sensa.ou,"
"Gfts Tor the holidays" "No Christmas com.
plete without it," Festival hats" Railing for
poultry and hundred andone similar inscriptions.
little further tho eye Is attracted to huge
vass banner with the inscription ''Sana Claus Head
quarters" printed thereon; asoa mammoth representa-
ton Of old "Santa Claus going down somebody's chin
ney not with any burglarous design but for the bencve-
lent the pleasing and acceptable purpose of appeasng the
wakeful youngsters wishes. Nlng their stockings with
tgoodes'' and presents or course, the ''big" folks
know the whole thing is a capital "sell" having been
many times 'sod' before tley found it out. But we
presume they will keep the pke up; and sure
they cannot ascertain the secret by anything in this
article. However, the idea Of a " Santa Claus''
visit is amusing, and the most said countenance
is forced to give good injured laugh at such Illus
tratons alluded to; and proaby before their features
can be brought to normal condition, they bring
az
straw, like Barnum's Feejee mermaid This is done no
doubt to inform stoca pntancal citizens that there
is such institution Chramas day. Again. glance
perusal Of the advertising columns of the HERALD
reveals the fact that the OF great holiday
There is popularity about the advertisements
that does not strike the casual reader, but
which is important TO the publisher and tho advertiser.
We speak OF the great and ingenuity displayed in
their systematcal arrangement in order say great
in the shortest possible space. This par
tcularly about Christmas week, when everything in
the shape of advertsementsmust be short Everything
inthe shape Of toy biu That European and Ameri-
can ingenuity invent ends ready market at this time
Millions Of dollars exchange hands on the Of
Christmas expended in Articles from "penny Whistles
ecrying babies" "ack Jumpers" and "hobby horses
from of ones hand to life sze in the ascending
ecale to costly diamond iaaerie.
Go where you may, ither on steamboat ferry boat,
railroad car or omnibus, you will BIO meet some
parent or friend retive carrying something the
shape of present to tlpsc they love and esteem.
Business transactions not Immediately connected with
the supply Of articles fir the holidays appear to
quiet passive natuc. Even the "bulls' and the
"bears" in Wall strea many OF whom, wrapped up in
tho cloak Of the "aldghty dollar" and crying "hum
bug" at anything or anybody not connected
with stocks or "wd cat' operatons-eyen they,
falling into tho weaknesses for which fhey
reprove Others will alow their cogtatons to wander little
from their accustome sphere, and with half smiling ad
dress invite Mr. So an to dine with them Christmas
Another individual With similar speculative turn Of mind,
but who prefers dbbe in domestic Stocks such the
Erie and New Yor Central, cannot for the life Of him
get out Of his that he has to purchase Christmas
presents domestic comforts at home," the
risk of a Caudle lecture.
Relgiously treating the subject, the church folks will
be on the an, in decorating their various places
OF worship with vergreens ministers will be wrapped
up their best toughts to preach rst class on
Christmas and is though not least the choristors and
church choir Singers will their voices and practise
their pieces than usual energy. to guide the
hosannas and heujahs of the 'poor sinners who live
by cheating ard mpovorishng their neighbors twelve
months in the ear and sing their sins away Christmas
Notwithstanding all the hypocrisy Of church folks and
churchmen, Unjust be acknewle 'gcd that Christmas is
institutional day of devotion to the religious, and day
OF fun and frrolity to the pleasure seeker.
ST. PETER CHURCH, BRooKLYN.-The fair in aid of the
fund for thccompetion of the Catholic church the
of Congress street, Brooklyn, to-day
at the Athneum. Great cxertions have been made to
assemble bjects that will be worthy OF competition
Amongst tie articles to be rallied for magnificent set
OF porcelain trays Chinese manufacturer, imperial
photograph Of Archbishop Hughes, signed by His Grace
and contributed by Mr.. Brady Of Broadway, complete
set Of Pamer's marbles photography, with por
traits, contributed by the American Porcelain Photo
graphic Company gold watch, &c, &c. Tho fair will
last four Gays
PALACE GARDEN Music HALL-A concert will be given
here night in aid of the workmen in large pianoforte
mandatory which recently destroyed by fire. Ma
dame Albcrtn the eminent cantatrce and several other