The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1861-01-04
washington Correspondent n e.

Christmas has come asd gone. All the
implements for making big noises arc hushed.
The egg nogg has ceased to foam, and tho
young men yesterday rolling about from
house to house,-not exactly dwelling upon
the joyful event Of the birth of the Savior OF
the worl !, bat silent on spree, are to-
day complaining Of headaches and bad appe-
tites. Tue little folks, however, still footing
their horns like mad aud rejoicing in the
generosity Of Santa Claus, exhibit the most
innocent and hearty exultation Of any por-
ton Of the population.
know some sour minded persons are in.
clinod to question the propriety OF any 80
called "holidays" at Nil, seeing they are so
uniformly prossitutcd into occasions for
drunkenness and gener Il license But think
the RENE ~ would be found rather in multi
plying our days OF recreation than in ourtail-
ing them. We HAYES few of them that they
are very naturally appropriated as mers days
Of relief from urgent toll, and the signiG-
cance OF their several occasions, especially
the days OF the church, is but feebly appre-
hended by the great proportion Of the people.
What arc our Thanksgivings, our Christmas,
our New Years, even our annual Public Fasts,
but simple occasions OF promiscuous and not
very creditable frolickng? If our days OF
relaxation were more frequent, go that the
mere feeling of relief were not 50 immense, |
think we should, on the recurrence of such
occasions ne Christmas, have finer appreci-
alton Of their sgnifc tnce, and observe and
enjoy them more keenly, more appropriately,
and more creditably TO ourselves as men
rather than as animals. But, let further
moralizing 70. am not preacher by pro-
fession; and, if were, | am afraid should
not make very impressive one.
| The inventions and tricks of fashion are
often interesting, and still more frequently
amusing. A prnc.ice some time since came
into vogue Of photcgraphing the face Of an
individual upon visiting card, instead OF
Wngraying the name. The idea has been oc-
casionally improved upon, by getting the
portrait nicely engraved on metal, and il
sometimes varied by engraving symbol Of
ones employment and putting the name I'm.
derneath. Aninceuious example OF this lat.
ter practice fell under my observation til.
other day. The card had well-executed
tiger printed upon it, and underneath tb'
words, "No. -, Pennsylvania Avenue, neal
Wizards" That 10 TO say, at such plao,
you can 60 and sight tin tigers hin
which great many Washington sojournan!
are not slow to act uron.
/ Scarcely ever was . towni enveloped i,
/ flags, except on soms gala 4 J, as IN Wash
ingson at present. Livery body, it woult
seem, who has copy Oft STARE and stripes
gives the glorious old bunting. 70 the breeze
You see them on hotels, SSioons, stores
strung across the streets and fattering frou
private houses, Of every size and quality; :
If all were anxious to testify to their dsv<
ton to the Union, however abundantly tre1
son might flourish 10 the land and trAiDor
deridc the ensign hallowed by so many sacret
memories and patriotic hopes. When treason
stalks abroad, loyalty, too, will burst GU
pC0u "uu otFOuky - HtI iuvu VI cuUutrN W
not really dead, or sm othered under the NOR,
| ignoble sentiments OF blind ambition ant
temporary interest.
This miserable Dem ocratics Administration
10 orumbling away with the most amazing
rapidity. The country IL already 4s1A,
being destitute Of any Executive dspsrtnsn