The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-01-18
course "cobbler" was eamong the CON
de mned. z4zFf-rrTrr r ~,.r.-y.t,r
THE last DAY OF THE YEAR.

morn the concierge will expect his "tip"
for his previous eleven months Of neglect
the postman succeeds, the newsboy mounts
as he. descends, TO be quickly followed by
the waterman, the baker, and even the sea-
venger. For must you overlook your favor
lite cabmai, or yourspet waiter at your ca fS :.
You are an object of attraction for twenty.
four hours. Ynu begin to think you are 3
omebody-anr Emperor receiving the COM
pliments of the New Year. In Turkey, on
his subjects putting their fingers in their
ears and touching the ground with their
nose. When Spain had Queen, her Ma
jesty's hands were kissed; aud at Rome
the Pope will offer his slipper to the faith
full to embrace. For private individuals in
Paris, with limited means, it is q day of
mourning, and not even the Artful :Dodger
himself could escape, the. -argus-eyed
watchers who annually throw their shadows
"aoross your chamber door," ... s7.#1@5f 4
A SUNDAY AMUSEMENT. ~ T.
An innovation in the dramatic art. is to
be sinaugurated at the Gate Theatre. 1t
consists in reading some historic play dr-
ring the day time on Sunday, the specta-
tors taking part in the succeeding critical
discussion.
LIGHTED oMNIBUsEs.
A more useful innovation is that to be
adopted by the omnibuses Of Paris. Hith-
erto the lights shown by them were weak
and clumsy, and complicated. A new gas
is employed which illuminates the interior
of the carriage almost as bright as day, and
serves to signal before and behind in the
most perfect manner. The Madeleine
buses are furnished with the gas.
CHRISTMAS.
Christmas passed off well-the day was
glorious as regards weather-so was the
eve, when all Paris, seemed to be out of
doors attending the various midnight
masses" Every church was crowded the
Madeleine had sort of row at the gates,
the police-horse and foot-having to clear
away the visitors. The internal decora-
tions of the Madeleine were sumptuous,
and the music excellent, but that at St.
Roch was superior. Paris has taken to
" "Christmas trees ," an English ledy from
the colonies had one bearing pleasant fruit
that cost some $4,000 francs. The Italians
and the Spaniards in the Champs Elysees
had the divine Bambino, surrounded with
all the accessories of high art. Christmas
presents were freely exchanged between all
classes the Prince Of Asturias and the
Prince Imperial called on each other, each
leaving q valuable souvenir. At the Tuile-
ries the Prince Imperial inaugurated his
new bachelor apartments by inviting ff-
teen companions on Sunday, all Of his own
age, to share the good things on his g tree y;
the ex-Queen of Spain's son was among the
guests. At o given signal an attack was
made on it-equality was the order of the
day, as well as the right of the strongest.
At 7 o'clock dinner was served the fifteen
young bachelors enjoyed themselves like
kings-not grown-up person was present,
not even the Emperor or Empress " "dropped
in." After dinner the jewellers set to
dancing and romping, and at 9, to the mi
mute, the party broke up and the guests
went to bed.
TIE FAIR.
The fair on the Boulevards has unfavor-
able weather. Some of the "shanties y
we're blown clean away-goods, owners, and
all-during the late tempests. There is no
lack in the novelties offered, or in the en-
ergy of the solicitations to purchase. Last
year the "toy of the period - was La gueS-
ton Romuine. This year the velocipede
seems to have received all the attentions of
the artists of Paris and Nuremberg. Every
class of people appears to be traVestled-
the unfortunate Pompier de Nanterre above
all. This renowned fireman is often placed
in positions that it is well to shut the eye to
on passing. The dolls are plentiful, and
screech louder if anything this season than
the last. An acknowledged want has been
supplied-the opening of "ready-made
clothing establishments y for dolls of all
sizes. Nor are the boys forgotten, nor
children of larger growth. These stalls of
fifteen days. existence have their "poetry,"
as your deafened ears can testify. They
are not without their romance. Three
years ago an American belonging to the
great family of the ennuyes passed by one
of these little huts, and was struck with its
owner, very handsome young widow,
sucking her child, and selling toys. He
bought some toys, listened to the widows
history, and while the fair lasted came
each day, to make large purchases. On
Thursday last, in splendid house, in the
rue du Bassin, Mrs. F. received cir
Gle of young friends. In the drawing-room
was erected model of one of the huts that
figure on the Boulevards. 1t was filled
with valuable little nothings, and within
was seated its proprietor, once the widow OF
the Boulevard, but now one of the most re-
spected and wealthy ladies in the fashiona-
bic society of Paris.
VARIOUS ITEMS.
The invitations for the first of the State
balls at the Tuileries have been issued for
the 4th of January. 1t is necessary to be
quick at the toilettes, and equally so with
amusements, as Lent will be early this
year. A well-known lady, not content
with making half dozen toilettes per day,
has taken it into her head to change the
furniture Of her bedroom nearly as often.
The Roman ladies had nothing to this.
Cleopatra might swallow a pearl, but now
a-days ladies strew pearls under their feet.
Every one is very gay at nice, and even
"rouge and noir" is temporarily suspended
in favor Of dancing.
Chinese swallows nests, made into soup,
are generally coming into use for very deli
cate stomachs. The raw material looks
like detached pieces of q Skull" but when
prepared it is like isinglass.
5 An addition has been made to the food
supply of the city. The police arrested a
man having in q sack the carcasses of eight
ne wly- killed dogs. He stated he has for
long time been in the habit Of catching
stray dogs, skinning them alive, and sup
porting his family on their flesh.
A bust. of Richard Golden has just been
LII nf bnr-