, 1859-01-07

| The holidays have come ana gone, ana Ine
ordinary routine Of everyday life is aga'n re-
sumed. We say rssTmed; for, from the middle
Of the past up to the close Of the first week Of
the present month, there is usually in all depart
n,eut- cessation Of, or at least diversion ifom,
the ordinary duties of life All classes, all trades
and all professions, during this period, are Intent
upon the singIe pursuit Of pleasure, and not un-
til the holidays have passed do the sober reali-
ties Of life occupy their attention or thoughts.
Rarely have we witnessed and participated in
grester enjoyment than was everywhere visible
on Christmas and New Years days Being one
Of favored few invited to join the family Of
Judge Chambers in celebrating the first-nsmed
day, we avaied ourself Of the happy privilege,
and mingled with others in congratulations on
the festive occasion. Here we found the patri-
arch surrounded by his numerous offspring all
bent on enjoying the annual gathering. Truly
was il pleasing sight TO see here the oifshoots
tree, mingling their past joys and sorrows, and
indulging bright hopes for the future. We
thought, as We looked about us, surely the wor.
thy Judge is strictly Obeying the Scriptural in
junction, to increase and multiply, and we sin.
cerely hope he may live to see his grandchildren
bcget grandchildren; as, judging from his pres
ent sound and robust health, he seems very like
ly to do. Reasting and social discourse occupied
the hours, which sped rapidly, from noon until
two O'Clock AN. s1e --s ..-
Tho officers at the garrison, on Christmas, with
their prOverbially generous hospitality, threw
open their quarters for the reception Of visitors,
and the entire day was passed in round Of
feasiing and pleasure We have yet to learn OF
single case Of excessive indulgence or intoxica-
ticn, in town or country, on this day.
An event long TO remembei was the ball given
BY the Steiacoom Library Association, on New
Years Eve. Notwithstanding the wretched state
Of bOtha.rcads and weather, the largest assem-
blage, ever witnessed here on . like occasion,
cOngseatsd at Lights Hotel, to dance the old
year out and the new year in. The beauty and
fashion Of SteiaeoOm and Pierce County were
exhibited to great advantage; there being present.
not less than two hundred Of both sexes, en-
brAcing an array Of fair DANES andlassss and GAL
liant gentlemen snch Is few towns in older coun.
tries could produce. A very attractrive feature
Of the occasion was the Highland Fling, beauti-
fully bexecutsd BY Miss Martha Myers. lovely
child Of about ten years This was rApturously
applauded All went merry Is . marriage bell
until four S'elOsk in the morning, when the com
pany separated and departed for their respec-
tive homes, all EsIplsased with the nighfsplea-
saFea :. - iss .raia =, 40 =
The following Qssw Year's) day was devoted
10 making and receiving calls, As d customary
IN larger and older towns and eitieA In CON-
pany with about score Of guests. by invitation,
we visited tho quarters of DR.. Writ, at Fort
Stelaooom, at noon. The usual salutptions and
interehange Of friendly feelings having taken
place. aitsr some little time devoted % converse
ton, The guests were ushered ip.o the presence
ef . table gTpanipg beneath the weight Of good
thinssu liquids and solids EEclamations Of sur
prise and delight were uttered on all hands st
he varied end attractive display Of viands and
wonder was exprsssed Il tho genius Of the gen.
srpps host 10 eoRiuring up such multitude Of
lpxuries q this season Of the year. There were
dishes % suit ,bo p.la,es of he most hstidous
and 1 sapply equal 70 The c,paci,v Of ave times
he number invited Havinr part.ken fseely q
he ieast. minaI.d, with eopiOus Id draurb,s Of
SPARKLING Canwba and exbiIitatinrI Heidsieck.
ipaats and rsspopses were given, and the ahsr-
noon. passod away amid euiovmsp. such q i
rar.ly' .vOuchs.fsd % man n ,bIs yeeiop. 50
compI..e vas everything. ,bst absoIutely nothing
vas omitted that could ada 70 the pleasure Of he
guests. The noble hos, exceeded himself Il thst
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