The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-06
CITY INTELLIGENCE.
lFor Additional Local Items see Third Poge.l

SAINT NICHoLAs,DAY-THE CUSTOMS
OF SAINT NICHOLAS EvE-THE FEAST OF SAINT
.NICHoLAs.-Among all the saints in the Calen-
dar of Saints, perhaps Saint Nicholas enjoys the
greatest reputation and the greatest popularity:
Throughout the vast domains of the Gar of
Russia be has been held IN such repute, by high
and low, that he has gradually come to be con.
sidered as their patron saint. The founders OF
three hundred and seventy.two churches in
England have been eager to name their temples
in bis honor. Virgins and children, sailors and
scholars, robbers and parish clerks-all these
antagonistiC classes OF humanity have been
under his especial. and powerful protection from
the days in which he was in the flesh.
The earthly lot of st. Nicholas was cast in the
fourth century of the Christian era. He was
born in the city OF Patara, in Asia Minor, where
even his infancy was characterized by such eX-
tremely devotional tendencies that he refused
to be sucked on Wednesdays and Saturdays,
these being the days appointed for fasting by
the Church. He early embraced a religious
lle; entered the monastery of Sion, near Myra;
was raised 10 the dignity of Abbot thereof and
subsequently to that of Archbishop OF the Metro
poltan Church of Myra. Throughout his eccle-
siastical, and especially during his episcopal
career, he was renowned for such acts of piety
and benevolence as well became one who was
destined to enjoy the honors of saintship. The
good bishop, however, was subjected to 1mprl-
scnment and other grevous prosecutions during
the reign of Diocletian; and although he did not
suffer actual mtr Cyrdom, he was on that account,
and because OF the purity and nobility OF his
life, considered by the Holy Church as worthy
OF ranking among the most favored folloWeFs Oh
the then new religion.
From one of the principal events of his life
a. ose a custom which still prevails, to some eX-
tent, in the Old World on the eve OF Saint
Ncholas-Day, although in this country 1t has
been transferred to Christmas eve. His patron
age of virgins is likewise based upon the same
event. In his native town of Patara, there
consisted T RTee cSaT@ng
The worthy peer had been SO reduced by MS
efforts to keep up an establishment becoming
bis rank. that he found himself at last in the
most abject poverty. On this account he was
particularly grieved, because 1t rendered him
unable SO to endow his daughters that they
would be able to wed in their own station. And
to such straits was the family reduced at length,
that the father saw that his daughters must
either resort to sinful course of life or starve.
Now be it known that the benevolent saint
had inherited large fortune, by means OF which
he was enabled to give full play to his kindly
heart. And no sooner did he learn of the dis
tress OF his fellow. -.ownsman, than be hastened
by night to the house of the impoverished
nobleman, and was debating as to how he could
best accomplish the object which he sought
the relief OF their distress. Just al the moment
of, his indecision,, the moon stole out from
behind a cloud, and showed him an open win
dow. Into this he cast purse well filled with
golden coins, and then fled in haste to avoid
that detection which true charity always seeks
to avoid. With this first gift the nobleman was
enabled to marry off his first daughter in
manner that well became their family rank A
second gift, bestowed in similar manner, re-
and then the grateful father resolved to keep
upon the watch, that he might learn the name
of his benetactor, IN case the latter should come
again with the portion of the youngest,
He was not disappointed in his expectation,
for Saint Nicholas was determined to set an ex-
ample to guide all his modern followers. AS
the good man approached the window, prepared
to cast in the third purse, the nobleman seized
his skirts, and casting himself upon the ground
eXclaimed:-"O Nicholas! servant of God! why
seek to hide thyseffn The saint, however, re
fxrnAf from tnn Rnh lnn1a nnnian hot hiu
mun6cence would be kept profound secret,
and we are not informed how his early bio
graphers ever learned of the occurrence.
1t is, doubtless, from this event that the Gus
tom of parents placing gifts in the stockings of
their children, and then ascribing their benevo-
lence to Saint Nicholas, took its origin. On the
the eve of Saint Nicholas'-Day the 9th of De-
cember; but in our own country, as every child
can testify this pleasant surprise is reserved for
the merry Christmas season.
The relics of Saint Nicholas were jealousy
preserved at Myra, the scene of his labors, until
the close of the eleventh century Then GER
tain pious merchants M OF Bari, an Italian city,
now containing 40, 900 inhabitants, situated on
the Adriatic coast, joined in crusade, and,
landing on the coast of Asia Minor, broke open
the coffin in which the bones of the saint were
preserved, and carried them off to their own
town. They landed at Bari on the 9th of May,
1887, and deposited his sacred treasures in the
Church Of st. Stephen. On this occasion, no
less than thirty persons, afflicted with various
diseases, were made whole on imploring the in.
tercession of Saint Nicholas in their behalf.
From that DAY TO this, the anniversary of this
event, or the feast of Saint Nicholas, as it is
called, has been celebrated at Bari with
great enthusiasm and ecldt The city is fairly
invaded by a, pilgrim host which pours into
Il by thousands from every quarter OF Southern
Italy. They come armed with slaves, bound
with olive, pine, or palm, and bearing gourd
or water-bottle. Many OF them come barefoot,
and all oil them are arrayed IN antiquated and
fantastic costumes. The Priory of Saint Nicholas
offers to each pilgrim meal, and shelters as
many as can force themselves within its walls.
The others dispose of themselves as best they
may. On entering the Church of Saint Nicholas
once or oftener, and some even throw their
foreheads fiat upon the marble pavement, and,
led by child, thus perambulate the aisles
The sailors in port have method Of their own
for honoring the saint. Entering the church
in procession early in the morning. they receive
from the hands OF the canons the saints wooden
image, clothed in episcopal robes, and bearing
a mitre, in token of his sway over the hearts OF
men. After bearing the image of the saint
through the town, and visiting the Cathedral
and other places of importance, they take it
fairly out to sea, and there remain until the
setting of the sun. Returning then to the
town, they are received with grand illumina-
tion and a general display of fireworks, the
surging thousands meanwhile chanting Gre
gorian Litany of Saint Nicholas. Then they
parade the town again, visiting the principal
churches, and finally, late at night, the IMAGE
of the saint is returned to the custody of the
canons. The entire services are conducted with
such heartfelt tervor and such evident sncerty
that they duly impress the beholder with feel
ing of awe.
TILL-TAPPER.-J. Cunningham under
took to make a torcible loan from storekeeper
iu South street, near Third, yesterday afternoon.
Cunningham went into the store on some Dre-
Or NUata