The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-12-26

Macaulay, in his essay Milton, looks upon cviliza
ton the greatest antagonist to poetry aud certainly
opposed TO proper appreciation or the merits Of true
poetry He asserts childhood to be the only time when
the imagination has full and undivided range and that
as We unean what the world has taught and become
more like to children, are wo more poetcA so " IL
poetica period Deprive child OF its fairies bobgob
Inns and Boomans and where il II? Take IL from this
world of romance, in which it revels 20 royalty,
and you make il Grabbed and old-fashoned Ro-
nance ID their atmosphere, and imagery IL necessary
to their existence. Among all the beings in faryland
none is so popular with children Santa Caus-that
Asm0deus who benehcently showers his gifts upon
Them or rather into their stockings lie Of all is the
most loved.
As TO the identity OF Santa Claus there is much OF dis
agreement Some say he IL German, others Russian
saint and Sweden lays claim 10 him its exclusive prop
cy In all countries there saints OF this kind Rv
ing a munifccnt reputation. Scandinavian mythology
scattered tho fruits OF the harvest In Sweden and Norway
the festival IL looked upon important one and
Is celebrated with much pomp and ceremony. In Ire
land legend OF ODonoghne Of the Lakes goes to provo
him the real simon Pure. De This II may, the most
probable srmise and the generally received Is that
Santa Claus Is but corruption of St Nicholas born
Patma, IN Lyca Asia Minor about the year A. d. 342
This saint rs much revered in the Roman and Greek
churches and the day assigned for his birth s December
O. HIS extreme love OF children aud chdlke tnnDcence
Is said TO have given rise to the popular idea OF his Christ
mas visits TO the young folks He is said 10 have been
Arcnpshop OF Nyra in Asia Minor and 10 have been I'M
usually reyered for his eryor and devotion in of
Christianity. Tho Germans, however, won't agree TO
this account, ond the old inhabitants OF New York, then
New Amsterdam. claimed him AZ the Cys Patron SAINT:
so he has good reason for being benchcent to us.
HIS FREAKS on CHRISTMAS EVE.
IN many household over the world Santa Claus has
proved himself cause Of much happiness, aud nowhere
more so than on our own continent and never was
that generous saint lavish of his gifts on last
Christmas Eve IN perfect confidence the merry chill
ready to denour e up the Saint .s'' i When he
In ploasurablc anticipation they slept the sleep
of innocence, and dreamed that he had looked on
them and smiled, filing the Tiny stockings 10 the top
with his choicest gifts. And then they awake and
eagerly hasten to if their dreams be verified and,
hobby horse, unable TO irot into the narrow opening,
stands upon the floor box OF sqlders nils the apper
part, doll the lower and in the toe i large packet OF
the choicest candies Oh, how Santa Claus Is blessed aud
praised How happy he ought 10 feel IN giving much
pleasure Others Who would dare 70 undeceve them,
IT, indeed there be any deceit in the natter What
father mother would have the hurdihood TO present
himself or herself as the vertable donor Of these gifts
the genuine Santa Claus 10 do 80 would be an outrage
the credit Mystery delights childhood and to unseat
popular parsonage IN the affections of the young
covered from. Though they have outgrown the days
OF belief in such childish matters, Yet the place OF
the Santa Claus OF days by Is led by the father
the brother the lover and IL the last what JOY does
bring To the bushing madenl As milton, the saint on
the preceding Christmas presented us with Savannah this
year he gives restored Union, unslaned nag,
We rejoice the gifts aud say Long live santa
Claus"
THE SANTA CLAUS ASSOCIATION.
This Association which has been in existence for The
past ten years and numbers among It's members some OF
most respectable citizens gave last evening their
eleventh annual sorce IL VI usual with them TO have
their ball Christmas Eve, when Mt midnight the Saint
clses his appearance amongst them, but as Christmas
Eve this year fell on Sunday, his sainiship was
requested defer his visit for twenty four hours TO
which request he graciousy assented The ball was held
Mt Jones' Assembly Rooms, and was numcrously and
fsshlonably attended At ten o'clock tho opening quad
rifle performed, aud gay cavaliers with fair naldens
teaded measure together The dreamy waltz, inspiring
polka and rafting gaiop followed quick succession Nor
were the but welcome ancurs or the graceful
schotische absent All were entered into with spirit
Old and young trppcd II in honor OF old santa Claus
A. the hour OF Midnght approached considerable OK
| element pervaded the room. Would Santa Claus
come would be disappoinr were questions o
frequent, recurrence Expectn.ion w'S on up,o 70,
room, when after few moments in there
trpped the hearty saint and shout OF delight moif
hearty than fashionable rcsoundcd through tue room
The Saint IL low sized man. with gray hair and large
white beard, which almost covers his entire face; moi
50 much however as TO prevent all rom seeing par q
In his mouth was stuck large pipe at which he pulled
heartily His boots buckskin and OF large proper
tons his pants were Of fawn color, with blue stripe
vest OF scarlet with large brass buttons, encirced
truly aldermanic paunch coat OF dark brown, over
which was thrown an ample cloak Of scarlet and gold
completed his attire. He laden down with toys
they hung from his arms, round his neck his waist
aud his back heavily frciglted Round the room ht
tf1pped gOou nuniOfeuiy cnuckung 70 himself ~ he ur
tribued his stock In trade TO all The children roaret
with delight and indeed the elder persons present be
children again at the sight Of their old friend Hi
| store OF pfcseDis seemed exhaustess, but hun
| Santa Claus vanished Not IN red blaze o
blue lightning did he disappear, but the way he en-
tcredthrough the door Some persons were 80 bad n
W say he not saint nor even fairy but certain
Mr. Warner, member Of tho club. The idea wa
properly secuted. The young folks knew better thar
that. Then followed supper and then again commenced
the dance; and again young and old tripped i I'll iai
Aurora looked In upon the happy party and put then
20 fight
direction Of Messrs Stout, Starln Cary, Finch, sloa
Lones &c.
Santa Claus will come ill Christmas Eve q
1896; then doubtless he viii again visit homes
families spreading good humor and happiness he pro
Goods, and leaving pleasufable remcmbrances benin
him.