The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-22
MERRY CHRISTMAS.

HENRY C0h1c4mAC
>o->~~~->>~~,>~~>~~->~-~~~-~
Chrissnas Greetins-signs Of Coming Happi-
.es,-A Day Among Dells and Hobby
Horses-French Finery, Japan Laberious.
ness and American Skill-POliticai, Social
Mor.l. Immoral, Nonsensical and Other
Toys.
ga merry Christmas to all ~ This greeting has be-
come so customary ana pre-emnently the embodi-
uent OF the compliments OF the season" that 1t
might be Judged Q want Of proper training or OF
polite not to prefix 1t to an article on the
holiday and its surroundings and concomitants-
There is certainly nothing wrong In II, and II tends
TO impart joyful spirit 10 the intercourse between
writer and reader from the start. And since this
Joyful greeting is as cheap as a grun word and as
the Spaniards are right in saying that more flies are
caught with one drop OF honey than with a whole
jugfu OF vinegar there can be no reason why the
wish for merry Christmas to all may not be re-
peated hundred and thousand times SO long as
II is in season and not out Of It.
Take il az you may, from religious or any other
point OF view there is something in this holiday 10
make the heart merry and to arouse joyful thoughts.
The Christian, from the earliest days OF Christianity
t least since about the middle OF the second century
OF our era upon devoutly as the anniversary
OF the nativity OF the saviour OF man. AS such the
day is one to be held in holy reverence by all whose
religious faith is based upon the doctrines promul-
gated by Him born at Bethlehem, whether adhering
10 the Catholic or any other Interpretation OF those
doctrines Though critical historians may, they
have done deny the correctness OF The Church in
fixing the date of His birth the 25th of December,
that date has been agreed upon since the fourth
tury by the whole Christian world, and whether his
toricay correct not, as the accepted day OF the
commemoration OF the event. it has become festive
occasion OF reverence.
Early there were connected with it outward de-
monstratons of JOY, indicating the great benefit
conferred upon mankind by the usherlng into the
world OF Him who taught the true faith. And these
have continued to this day. Merry
making and the endeavor Of all to make Others
happy and to feel that 1t il In remembrance OF day
which broke the dark clouds OF heathenism and Lit
the bright OF Christianity to enllghten mankind
became the custom and the rule. And though the
materalism Of succeeding ages has gradually in
vaded sanctity Of the religious feeling the spirit
pervading 1t OF old to strew the germs OF happiness
around you and make all know that Gay OF happi-
ness has come is still alive The poetic elevation Of
sentiment which once pervaded the celebration of
the day is neither thorough outspoken, but
the realistic tendency Of greeting each other with
YARN hand, OF distributing gifts that make the
recipient glad Of enjoying ones self In the merrt-
luouL Oh OtneTb-LulS ID LHc uduueF VI yulAkluR
on the festival OF Christmas at present. and while
religious people devote part Of the day to the du-
ties they firmly believe required OF them the =
nevertheless adopt the ways Of the world and make
merry themselves and others according to the ways
OF the world.
Who does not think OF the little folks ON such an
occaslonf From time immemorial Christ kindchen,
corrupted into English as Kriskringle has been the
harbinger OF joys to them-of joys adapted to their
limited and childish understanding. In times past
a moral lesson wins connected with IT, and Knecht
Rnprecht changed with us into Santa Claus or st.
Nicolaus gave praise to the good and administered
Teproof the disobedient and unruly and distributed
his gifts In proportion. And how often was 1t not
sufficient to correct the evil ways OF child by the
remark that II it persist Ruprecht, Santa Claus,
or the Christkndchen Tor Kriskringe) win remember
Its doings on the day Of his appearancef
But while most of these poetic and religious ira
ditions are more and more waning away the festive
ceremony Is still retained In q form consonapt to
the spirit OF r2tonalistc age and In general
scope not less benencent TO the heart and mind OF
the participants. Be and make merry ON this day
IS still the universal rule and each strives to the
extent OF his means to conform to 1t.
Inc consequence OF this general custom Ii that
trade in all things suitable for gifts and merrymak-
ing AT this season Is not only brisk hut assumes
vii nnS n 90 where Se@ Tab f Y
months for this season In order to be able 20 meet
the expected 0enAnuH OF tnef cuHtOufTSs Even III
the markets there is an addition to the articles on
Rae other OF the year TO be found there
Thus consists OF numerous piles OF pine branches
suitable for Christmas trees and or evergreens for
ornamenting the interior OF houses. There Ii q
poetic beauty In the sight OF Christmas tree-its
dark green needles lit up with innumerabe lights,
i tiny branches hung with presents OF every imagn-
able nature around which the family assemble and
the parents reminded OF their own past days OF
youth by the exuberant pratte Of Joy OF their own
children. Rich and poor enjoy IL alike Whether the
tree be ornamented with the costly gifts OF the million
naire or the slight contributions OF the workingman,
the merrymaking over II and the gadness OF heart
Mt the gifts are the same, and perhaps the more
tural and most sincere, among the poor. All the
dry goods and jewelry establishments are heavily
patroDized, and at each are selected more or less
expensive articles with which 10 crafty relatlv 20
a friend The bookstores, particularly the publ
cation houses OF religious societies, are filled with
purchasers from morning till eve, and works OF lite
nature OF sacred history and OF prose or versified
fiction sought by great numbers who prefer TO
bestow GIFT OF lasting benefit TO the mind rather
than piece OF nnery or gewgaws. In works Of art
fhe trade Is also brisk, and the galleries OF Schaus
or Knoedler OF Snedecor, thronged with visitors
20 select and procure for present 20 near and dear
FREUD either painting or an engraving, gem OF
But by far the largest crowds are met with at the
toy stores, where the playtnngs for children have
accumulated from the workshops Of all the world
and where anxious mothers aud conslderate fathers
search and try and barter for hours Till they are
suited aud have procured what they hope viii red.
den the cheeks aud brighten the eyes OF their dear
lille ones at home. Maiden lane has for years been
the central point for this trade, and a visit there
none Of It's attractions In this respect. The
crowd OF purchasers was as large as and
as rich in variety and a. suitable 70 iii
tastes and conditions as could be desired. IL "
needless TO give description OF this s'toy word;s
every one who has ever had opportunity OF buy
Ing even penny trumpet knows the many peculisri-
tes and characteristics OF It's composition But
some new things were there 10 be seen, and word
knOwn the novelty OF Partisan LIE lately introduced
into this city, the "velocipede.u Here, IN Maiden
In md hrmun ma lnttf "a
full nedged, that o grown suell may sport
" In the Park astride ON itA narrow
Nst; also large three wheeled foot propcl-
erx,n with cushioned seats for lat lies, and also
pecimens OF dimlnutive Hze comins under the de-
rpton Of toys for boys and girls oi fenderer age.
wre can be found the ''silver eli tines" new
re OF parlor game, somewhat after the fashion OF
9net played on a sort OF billiard Il bic OF octagon
q, and which ~ Is hoped by the ma nufacturer 70
me very popular
eaking dolls OF various shapes are OF only very
Mous bus much improved. The squeaking
-