The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-12-26

pesling s~olemnly-business universally suspended
crowds Of all ages, sexes and coorsi in the streets
the youngsters necessarily popping squibs and
crackers, and alternately exercising their lungs by
hoarse blasts through their tin horns, and by
Justify hawking the christmas Extry! DAILY
N~EwsI'-this, In brief, was the Christmas OF 1861
in Charleston. Along the wharves and the marts
OF East Bay, on the fagstones Of Broad-street
usually the scene of business, chat and chaherlnS,
the silence Of Sunday prevailed; and the crowds oil
idlers who. thronged the hotel lobbies mingled with
their Christmas greetings anxious inquiries ana
on the catastrophe at sea, the first
tidings of which shocked our whole community
early in the day.
IN THE CHURCHES.
In the Catholic, Episcopal and Lutheran
Churches the services of the day were of an IN
teresting character.
The Cathedral Chape', Queen-street, was crowd
ed by its large congregation from five O'Clock, A.
NJ, when the first Mass took place, until nine
O'Clock. At half-past ten, Pontifical High Mass was
celebrated by Bishop Lynch, who also preached.
Mercadante's Grand Mass was sung in excellent
style by the choir, the first time blythe way that this
mass was ever executed in Charleston. The affairs
bloomed with an abundance of fresh flowers, and
were ablaze with the light of many apers. In the
evening there was the vesper service as on Sum-
days.
81. MdryS Church, Hdse-StreeL.-High Mass was
celebrated at half-past ten, the Rev. MIR. Schactte
officiating. Mozart's Twelfth Mass was the music
selected for the occasion, and it vas sung In q
manner that more than satisfied the high expecta-
tions which had been formed by those who knew
the pains given to its preparation, and the high
ability of those who had undertaken its perform
ance. The solemn lynn was without a blemish,
and this was follow I'D by the Gloria in ErcetSas.
In this, the thrilling opening chorus, the p~laintive
Qua toAis, and the Stirring Q%aoniona, were deliv-
cred with great effect. The Incarnatus in the
Credo was sung with perfect taste and purity Of
expression; and in the Vltam Ventura the chorus
was particularly excellent. The Sanc;uS Benedic-
tus and A9nus Del were also well rendered,
the vocal music concluding with the catch
ing melody of the Dond nobis pacem. The
organ throughout WAS played with a precision,
clearness, power and accuracy of touch, which
could not well have been surpassed. In every part
the church was crowded, and every seat was filed
long before the high ceremonials commenced.
81. Patrtck's Church, 81. Phaiip streeL-There
we're services yesterday morning at 4.9O, 5, z and
9, and at 1890 A. NJ. high mass was celebrated,
and an eloquent and pregnant sermon was preach
ed by Bishop Persico. The church was t~astefully
decorated with evergreens, and over the high altar
we're inscribed the Christmas words eternal, "Gto-
ria in ercelsis Deo."
81. Pdurs Church, SJciety-street-There we're
services at 5, z and 1890 A. NJ, and vespers at 4
P. NJ. At high mass an earnest and instructive
discourse was preached by the Rev. Mr.. Shadler.
One OF the most attractive features at this church
was the life-ike representation of the crib at Beth
1ehem. The church was handsomely decorated,
and the altars brilliantly illuminated.
The Episcopal Churches.-These seemed to vie
one with another in the elegance and profusion of
their decorations. Perhaps the most conspicuous
among them we're st. Michaelis, st. Philips and
Grace Churches. The interior of the last named
edifce was deliberately hung with ~festoons of the
beautiful gray moss, peculiar to our Southern for
ests, and these former blended with the brighter
hued evergreens, produced a solemn and pleasing
effect.
The usual morning service was performed, and
the singing was, in most instances, particularly
fine.
The Lutheran Churches.-Fnn congregations
were present, at each Of the Lutheran Churches,
and appropriate discourses were delivered. The
interior Of these sanctuaries, also, were hand
somely decorated in honor Of the occasion.
The Huquenot Church-Special services we're held
in this venerable building, and the singing was re-
markedly fine. 1t is worthy Of note that this is the
irst Christmas anniversary for many years on
which the Huguenot Church has been adorned
with evergreens.
THE SHIPPING
in the harbor displayed their gala %colors, and from
stem to stern each vessel was dressed in holiday
attire, the flags Haunting gaily in the air. The
news of the burning of the Raleigh, which reached
this city Yesterday morning, saddened the hearts
of all, and reminded those who 60 down to the sea
in ships, that the God of the sailor had power to
save, and the holy festival of the church was not
passed unnoticed.
QUIET.
Notwithstanding the festivities of the occasion,
and tie practice of honoring the day with liba-
tons Of egg-nogg and more potent spirits, few
persons exceeded the bounds of s%obriety. Some
arrests were made, but they were mostly Of hard
ened ~votaries Of Bacchus, who yielded to his Sc
ductive charms on previous occasions. In the
lower wards, with the exception Of the occasional
sound of a era: ker, an almost Sabbath stiffness
prevailed. Other sections of the city were more
noisy, but the day passed without any unusual
event occurring to mar the festivities of the occa-
sion. The street cars were stopped at 2P. NJ,
and the employees allowed the remainder of the
day.
THE CHRISTMAS DINNER
was the great event Of the day, and provident
housekeepers who had killed the fatted cali, and
laid the head of the gobb.er in the dust, we're pre-
pared to exercise the Inequalities of the time.
From every house the savory smoke of Christmas
dinners was borne to the skies, and those who
we're belated hurried homsward eager to form one
of the merry party around the social board. The
practice Of honoring Christmas by an extra dinner
dates from ancient times, and the old fathers of
the church especially enjoined upon their follow
els to remember the destitute poor. This behest
has been obeyed in all generations, and the in
mates Of the Hospitals, Aims House and Orphan
House were gladdened by an addition to their daily
fare, and the merry Christmas season was cele-
brated by dinners such as they had not seen for
many long days.
THE CLOSE OF THE DAY
was in keeping with its Inauguration. The teur-
dejoie we're continued to a late hour, but the
ammunition being exhausted, the wearied skirmish-
ers were forced to retire and seek the rest they
needed. A number of country negroes TsEre in
the city during the day, but their purses were very
light, and they we're merely lockers on in Wen
,o - Az niobf q bo,J ~ po0ro man ond h0va
procured a drum, d disguised themselves, and,
forming a masquerading company, paraded
through the streets, and attracted some attention.
SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS TREE.-The teachers
of the Circular Church Sunday School treated
their little charges to a Christmas Tree feast on
Tuesday evening. Amember of the congregation
kindly granted them the use OF her spacious par
lors, and the tree was erected in state. A happy
crowd of children assembled on Christmas Eve,