The New York herald., 1863-12-26
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The ChriatmAs Festival.

The Christmas festival well and generally eele.
brated In this city and throughout the country The day
everything that could be desired, so far AZ the
weather was concerned-bright, clear, bracng aud
healhful-and city has seldom presented more en-
iiveuus and attractive appearance, the streets being
crowded with eayly dressed people.
The religious services OF the various churches
grand and imposing particularly the music which lately
has become important feature In our metropolitan
churches ten O'Clock In the morning the bells OF old
Trinity rang out the following chimes'-
]. Ringing the changes eight bells.
q ChristInas Carol-Bright, bright IN silver light
d Rondo, with variations. in major and misor keys,
composed for Trinity church chimes by George !.
o Christians carol--"Ihe Christmas Tree"
D Christmas carol-"The Children 10 the Temple
Inasmuch as We furnished In yesterdays full
programme OF intended religious services IL
cesssry fully TO them now further than TO
remark tha, decorations In the churches were gene
rally speaking, superb.
AZ all the public institutions the inmates treated
o. grand Christmas dinners aud other urures be
had except holidays.
FORSYTH STREET SABBATH SCHOOL JUBILEE
The ocers teachers and friends Of the Forsyth street
Methodist Episcopal Sabbath school gave the children
very agreeable entertainment Christmas morning The
room crowded shortly after nine O'Clock, and The
sAecises opened with appropriate prayer by the
Rev. John Pegr, Jr the popular pasto., alter which
there exhibition Of large magic lantern Most
OF the views comical; 20 that the children were
ghly amused gave vent 70 their ra'i1csiiou by
ioad demonstrations Of applause. number OF Christ.
mas and patriotic hymns sung, which formed .
pleasing feature Of the programme. The contents OF a
large table, which sroaned beneath the uIuries upon 10,
wore then distributed tho children, and consisted of
oranges spplcs confectionery, cakes and books These
good things provided by the liberal friends Of ths
church and school, who no doubt richly rewarded
by the happiness Afforded the young people ~ho
pose this large and nOurishlng sabbath school
CHRISTMAS IN BEookLyg.
This day was observed In the usual manner Al Tacss
o. business closed and everybody appeared 10 be
IN the streets the way o the houses OF friends and
aequalnsnces 10 order 10 have jolly good time. The
weather having been bracng cold or days the ice
on the skating ponds In q sod and servceaOe
di,,on Of which thousands svaiied themselves Tie
Cap,tollDe on Fulton avenue, crowded during the
day 90 was the Nassau pond tho city line. tho
town OF FIabush the Washington pond Fth avenue,
and The Union pond the Eastern district. Bands Of
music we're attendance at several Of these resorts aud
every hing went lovely. The ponds n fact, appeared 70
b. the principal attraction, and every man and boy
who could procure pair Of skates visited of the
numerous places whore skating could be INDUCED IN.
The free ponds which scattered everywhere about
&be suburbs we're aied during the entire day. In view
ing the diaersB, ponds appeared a. the whole com
rouuity, male and femais bad taken 10 skating The
weather was very npe. In the evening the ponds were
Illuminated and the ssatns exercises continued sn,il
late hour to the spparen, enjoyment o all
The different Sunday and Mission schools celebrated the
occasion with enerc singing &C., after which the
children treated all the good things q the sea
son 10 some OF the schools the bes, boys received
skates aud others books. All we're provided with COO
fectioncry and o,her sweet things, with which 'heJ
were highly delighted
The Places Of amusement 10 the evening all vel
ATTENDED and taking ali sll tho day was nos ageta
ely spcn, by th. ma grriiy of thee e'mmunHy