Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-12-19
LOCAL. ITEMS.

"CHRISTMAS is COMING. - W nat uFe we
to do with the little folks this holiday sea
son? Are they to be defrauded OF their in
alienable rights and privileges, because the
times ore hard? 1t would be very difficult
to explain to them the connection between q
tight money market and Il reduction in their
usual quantity of toys and "goodies." And
inasmnch us the approaching gift time is the
only Que that occurs in the year, and as the
holiday is beyond the reach OF politicians in
every land where Christianity sheds lis
light, we may not let it pass without due
observance. Our plea is for the young peo-
pie, to whom Christmas is the centre of the
year, looked for and enjoyed in the antici-
patton six months before it arrives, and re-
mcmbercd in pleasant retrospect six months
after it has departed It is Il season espe
cially devoted TO home enjoyments, and q
large proportion Of the pleasure consists in
giving and receiving gifts. There are few
among US, case hardened and bat.le-stained
as we arc by rough encounters with hard
world, who do not look back with gentle
emotions to cur own souvenirs Of old fash
ioned festal days, and we have the opportu
nifty of recalling pleasant memories and OF
living our own youth over again in witnes-
sing the enjoyment Of our children.
Among the gifts that are most in fashion
in the present age books probably occupy
the first place. We do not know of any
more hattcr;Dg Indication Of our PROCESS as
Il nation than is found in the unprecedented
manufacture and sale Of children's books
This holiday occurs at time when the
claims Of the poor are particularly pressing.
Not only the rigors Of winter are upon us,
but the present winter will be unusually
hard upon the children of want. IF the po-
litical disasters with which we are threaten
ed should rot absolutely overtake US, they
have already come near enough to cast g
baleful shadow upon many household
We cannot forget how many sober and ill.,
dustriuus men there are. whose week. y earn
ings are barrel y adequate to their weekly ne
cessities; and in time OF unusual depres-
sion, when 50 many are thrown out OF per
manent employment, the arrival Of the holl-
day will bring no pleasure ~ their cheerless
fresides. Let US remember them in the
midst Of our enjoyment: and as we have
ability and opportunity, let US relieve their
wants. NJ part of our annual givings can
be so appropriately augm ented as our gifts
to the poor aud destitute.- But. american.
TIE RIVERA passage in the Ice between
this city and Washington has been made, and
the steamer George Page, yesterday, made
regular trips between the two places. The
Thomas Culyer went on her regular trip to
Mount Vernon. Several small schooners
were tnwcd up to Washington by the tugs,
and the steamship Monticello, which sailed
yesterday morning for New York, took In
tow six schooners to be taken down below
the ice. The steam tug Tempest, havingin
tow schooner, while on her way up the rlv-
er, on Monday night, grounded Oft Jones
Point arr1 remained there until yesterday
morning, when the tugs Belle Haven and
Wide Awake wentto her assistance, and >u;-
coeded in getting her and the schooner of
about ii o'clock The river steamer James
Guy lett Yesterday morning, on her regular
trips Several sailing vessels started down
Yesterday, the ice is very much broken up,
and is fast disappearing under the genial
rays Of the sun, and should the weather con-
tinue as at present for few days, the river
will be entirely clear again.
BOLD TBErT.-Testerday morning wo-
man, in the guisc Of Il beggar, went to the
residence OF one of our citizens on Fairfax
street, and in H piteous tone asked aims of the
lady nf the house. While the lady went to
the back part of the house iu order to com
ply with the request, the woman entered
the par!cr and stole there'rom several hand
some books. and :!ecamned.