The sun., 1861-12-26
CITY NEWS.
CHRISTMAS
uow II WAS cELEnRirEp

now II WAS CELEBRArEp.
The festival of Christmas was duly observed
yesterday by a cessation from business generally,
and the necessary quantum Of religion, fcasting,
and amusement which go to make up a first
class holiday The decorations of tho principal
churches We published yesterday, and beyond
tho decorations there is little TO say Of tho
churches at Christmas more than at othsr times.
Of course they were all well attended. The
plsoes Of amusement were also well fillcd in the
afternoon, and literally crowded in the evening.
At the chuNh Of St. Dridgcts, cornor of Az
enue b and Eighth street, three masses were
wero said during the forenoon, the las. grand
High Mass arranged by Mr. Power organiSt Of
the church. An excellcn, choir, composed of
mcmlers Of the New York I.ioiofkrinz, assist
ed in the services. Rev. Fathor Mooney oili
ciattd, and preached sermon on the du'y Of
Christians and the virtue of charity, and coll
lection WAS taken up for the benefit Of the Cath
oiic Orphan Asylum.
Tho New York Harmonic Society performed
lIandels Messiah ut Irving Hall, last evening.
The magnificent orAtcrio was we'll produced, and
quite large audience was present.
A plentiful feast was speed for tho bows Of
the News Boys Home at their rooms, No. 125
Fulton street, on Christmas Diy. The Super
intcndan', II empowered by the contributions Of
the friends Of these homeless and destitute lads,
will p.oyide gifts OF good warm clothing for
Il ON on Now Ycar's Day.
THE afternoon and evening performances Of
Hermann the unparalleled prostidigita'or at
Niblos Garden, have boon donsely crowded
since his 70 opening, in this city. II, now in.
tro1ucos several new tricks wonderful as any Of
tho,c over which so many have uttered eiic Ia
tions Of astonishmont, and even tho old ones
have had n new dress put upon them, rendering
them attractive as ever. Mons. Hermann's bro
ther now occupies the place of Made. Hermann
in the second sight pcrf, rmance and is very sue
cessful indeed
At his perilrmlnce yesterday afternoon,
the noted conjuror performed rather
unusual feat, at the outset. Finding a half
fcoro Of youngsters at the entrance door, he
transformed them inside with such magic as re-
suited not little to their qualification, if not
to their astoniohment.
THE SKATERS CARNIVAL.
There were very few genuine lovers of the ant
oil skating who remained dozing in btd till a
late hour yesterday morning. A. very early
hour the conductors Of the various city cars had
to commence the customary piling Of bipeds.
An exceedingly large number of young
men and boys, and in many cases elderly men,
were seen In groups with pendant skates on
elbows hung, vending their ways from various
directors towards their favorite places of resort.
Many, not aware Of the state Of the Central
Park pond, worked their way there through the
biting air, TO DO Informed that there was no
skating on the pond, consequently the finely
frozen ponds in the neighborhood Of SiAtieth,
and Sixty.seCond streets and Fourth and Fifth
avenues, swarmed with pleasure ieekers Others
found amusement on the Sylvan Creek, at 1O9th
street, on only a portion of which, however,
was the ice Of a sufficient thickness to warrant
much weight being allo we'd on 1t. Some of the
more ventuTesome would curvet and whirl
around the yielding edges but the larger num-
bor showed more good sense, and contonted
themselves with plain enjoy mont and little
show.