The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-01-02
THE DAY I'M WASHINGTON.
Brilliant Reception at the white
House.
VITO Were There, What They Did
and Eow They Looked.
Receptions Of General Grant, Chief JUS
tice Chase, Speaker Coifax and Others.

As the last stroke OF Tuesdays midnight hour
died away or the chilly air the chimes of old
Trinity rang out merry greeting to the new born
year, and Eighteen Hundred and sixty.eight came
checrly tripping into this world of sin and sorrow
Albeit, there are in the lives of every one of us
cases Of pleasure which serve to remind us of the
truth of the old adage that "God sends no i'll I'M
accompanied by its cure" AS usual, for hours
after midnight Young America manifested its joy
at the advent of the stranger by firing off muskets
and revolvers, whose continuous bang, bang
bang" might be heard long after the elder portion
OF our citizens were snugly ensconced in bed.
Children sank to sleep with visions Of countless toys
and New Years gifts floating through their minds,
and awoke early yesterday morning to be made i'm
mensey happy by the possession of these coveted
tokens of parental and friendly affection. Gsyety
and happiness reigned throughout countless house
holds. Smiling faces and light hearts threw a
radiance around the home circle as the "Happy
New Year" greeting passed from lip to lip in
the carly morning hours; now spoken by the
sonorous voice Of mature age, and anon lisped by
prattling childhood. The more religously in.
clined, especially among our Catholic and Episco-
pal fellow citizens, commercially began the new
where appropriate religious services were held
and benediction asked on the coming twelve
month. OF course the great feature OF the day
was call-making and, although the weather was
extremely unpropitious, the walking miserably
uncomfortable and the chances Of catching.
cold decidedly against all who ventured
out Of DOORS there was very general
observance of the custom which has been
handed down to US from our good old Knicker-
booker ancestry. The snow which had fallen
during the night was, in consequence of the rain
that followed, changed into sloppy slushy mass,
that rendered overshoes an absolute necessity to
every one who made his round OF calls by pedes-
TRAN means alone. Thousands however, darn
ing the expense" with an emphasis borrowed
from Yankeedom dubbed together and hired
carriages for the day, making their calls in COM
pauy, much to the satisfaction OF livery stable
keepers, whose smiling rubicund faces gave evil
dence Of the pleasure they internally experienced
at this advent Of the vehcuIar millennium But il
the outdoor scenes wore dreary and desolate
look, the change TO holiday animation everywhere
observable indoors gave greater zest to the
plcasurable welcome extended to the callers.
Bright smiles Of fair ladies greeted the advent Of
their young friends, whose wardrobes were gotten
mp in most unexceptionable style wit and re-
partee invariably accompanied the drinking Of
hcalths to the fair receivers and the usual
compliments were passed between bellies and
beaux with much alacrity and earnest
ness rs though the air outside was of
that clear and crispy nature which is said to give
an impetus TO the spirit Of fun and mcrriment
Everybody seemed to be in the best Of humor, not
withstanding the drearness of the day aud the
dampness of the atmosphere, that invariably found
its way TO the cutice when the caller emerged
from the pleasant parlor into the murky semi-fog
by which yesterday was characterized. General
regret was experienced at the absence Of rfcigh-
ing, and invidious comparisons were drawn be-
tween the oppressive murkiness Of this and
the clear crispy coldncss OF last New Years
Had there been sleghing, the principal city
thoroughfares would doubtless have presented a
carnvalistic appearance, not greatly inferior in
point OF rich and handsome turnouts TO the Neos-
koProspekt, the Broadway Of -. Petersburg, on
gala day Festive youths, with money goore
might have been seen at any time after
ten O'Clock in the morning making their
rounds in carriages drawn by highmettled
steeds. whose shining harness cyinccd most
plainly that these callers Of srisiocratic ten
denotes and moved in the topmost circle Of society
Anon might have been espied, trudging along by
the side of such nicely decorated establishment
the humble artisan, the young clerk, whose highest
ambition is TO see his name in gilt letters over
family grocery store or the apprentice boy, whose
bose had generously donated him a whole dollar for
this special occasion. and who look "a forward to the
enjoymcnts Of the day among his companions with
an anticipatory pleasure equaled only by that he
realized when sitting BY the side Of his own Mary
Ann, last night, IN the dress circle OF the Old
Bowcry. Every class and condition Of men, 10
use phrase borrowed FROM The Book OF Common
Prayer, observed the custom oil the day, aud all
appeared TO be fully contented with themselves aud
"the rest Of mankind. II was long alter midnight
when nnal calls we're made, and those who. deter
mining 70 keep sober throughout, forgot that
''wne will the best resolution Destroy awoSe
to-day with profound regrets that they did not fol-
low the advice Of the Old sung Think 81 Your head
in the morning.