New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-12-25
CHRISTMAS.


rHE STREETS AND THE SHOPS ON CHRISTIANS EVE.
The city sidewalks were dry as dust last
evening" the winds considerably put of their wintry
rage and the white stars glcsmed In sapphire sky rs
blue as Judea's heaven the the Christ child came
But no angel voices startled dull of night and
few paused perchance, bring TO mind the wondrous
memory of that haowed hour, though many cheerful
Christmas sign appeared every side. Tho sacred
mandate that arms IL IL blessed to give than to
receive" is the ruling motto OF the holiday season In
America and Thousand prOvden dealers in this city
furnished forth an endless array Christmas gifts for
the twenty times thousand seekers after offerings 1T
for Santa Caus shrine The ceaseess stream OF buyers
flowed up aud down the avenues, Broadway, and the
BOwery, from the lighting OF the till long after 10
O'Clock and many purse grew lighter and many
a till was filed during busy hours Gas Jets gilt
tered In thousands Of brilliant shOwwlndOws, radiant
with all the colOrs Of the rainbow, and oftentimes
tanning quaint and curious device TO catch the
passers eve. The queerest Of these odd little
breashaped wndmlls whose revolutions set two idle
darkeys to saving and ehOppnG wood with astonishing
industry impeed quartette OF feline ddlers to
Orousy scrape their yions else threw tiny lord and
Lady such Chestereldan paroxysm that neither
would stop bowling first But the merriest troops Of
CARERS attracted by the windows IN
which dolls displayed, and Of all the
thousands OF toys which genius and patience
have combined to invent for the DELEGATION Of chdho 3D.
DaDleS seem, 10 DC
various the whguitOus, and the most fascinating
Grown-updOs yard high and stout in proportion, and
pcayune dolls 40 long your thumb; dolls that cry
and laugh wink aud walk, and dolls that sit up In their
cradles and talk dolls boxes and dolls string and
dolls their backs dolls IN bridal dress and dolls IN night
Dress and dolls dress ALL dolls In blonde hair and
dolls with curly wigs dolls by the Million less
IN every part ofthe city and in than half the shops
The question, where do all the pins 60 sinks into insight
fcant proportions when compared with the momentous
problem What becomes OF all the dolls Many little
variations annually made in the minor details Of the
various standard toys but almost the only really
invention for children's amusement introduced this
son. the chameleon top made in Paris and ngenOusy
conrived spin for minutes. and to show, by
of colored disks and bent wires many varying hues and
amusing shapes The center Of the holiday toy trade in
this city Grand-st., east OF the Bowery, where
perfect baZar opened Christmas Eve. The
dozens of shops are full to overlooking, and
OF set for the upon the curb
without leave license. Buyers thick as
Dlackberres. Shrill.vOiced lads shout In every
direction and cultural Germans grumbe forth the prices
and the merits Of their Impossible birds and pre-
pOsterons Quadrupeds delight the Juvenile fancy on all
sides Hobby horses rampant IN rows along the side
walk Unmusical urchins toot jOyfuly on dismal tin
Irumpets Persistent organ grinders ply their inharmo
NOUS crank. Bushels Of bOn-bOns heaped up in
the confectioners windows, and sugar canes OF
striped candy tanalize the ragged little 0drnfns,
who peer wlstfully through the broad panes.
Gingerbread grenaders and wonderful frosted cakes sig
malice the bakers Christmas skill Pat JdmiidS trudges
aIong with two little "Olive branches" Juggling at his
thumbs and trOttng his sides Hans and Patrick and
Bambo Gretchen and Bridget and Dinah. all out on
holiday quest Baskets filed, and boxes are packed
and bundles increase The very Christmas trees are
nally carried of in triumph, and the merry Christmas
crowds dispense last TO dream OF Santa Claus and taste
IN happy visions Of the night joyful pleasures Of the
slOrrOw.