The New York herald., 1869-01-02
RECEPTION At rar CITY HALL.

Asns in a large crowd had congregated
s-s ..rcssion that the e-nonored custom
" sA al reception by the Mayor would not DC
= They were doomed to DISAPPOINTMENT
w" ever, as the mayor elect was not In town, ana
scnld not therefore. hold levee at the City Han.
He had gone with many Others TO be present at ana
take part in the ceremonies OF the inauguration q
Governor Holman at Albany, and thus escaped the
ordeal through which the Mayors Of the city nave
been obliged to 60 from time now immemoriai.
There was time and that not far in the dim vista
Of the pastn when his Honor the Mayor, besides
shaking hands with the thousands OF adults who
visited him New Years Day, would sner the little
children to come unto him. and would lift them up,
one by one, and kiss tnem and then escn person
would be provided with piece OF genuine New
Years cake and glass OF lemonade. In course of
time the ''callers" became more democratic IN
Of the reception was done away. Their Honors the
Mayors would content themselves with placing their
hands on the chdren's heads ana say, "God bless
you p instead Of kissing them and running the risk
OF dspacing some OF the crust OF long accumuiaticn
Now, It appears, The custom has been al abandoned
altogether: and although the City Hall still stood IN
Its old place yesterday yet the Hall OF this city was
at Albany.
OF shaking Mayor Hall by the hand, inasmuch as he
had shaken them by being absent, they had an OPP
portunty ofassociating with him IN spirit IN the work
Precisely at noon Battery OF the First Artillery
National Guard State OF New York, under the COM
Benson, having previously posted themselves in
front OF the City Han, commenced firing q
SALUTE OF ONE HUNDRED GUNS
in honor Of the Inauguration OF Governor HOFFMAN.
The ring attracted still larger crow, and the num-
bers gradually increased and remained during Two
hours Drawing the storm, and at times drowning
the howl OF the wind and the thunder OF the cannon
with cheers for Governor Holman and Mayor Hall.
But there was another treat enjoyed by the expect
ant and exuberant citizens The Cover
nors Room In the Hall had been very taste
fully dressed and decorated with evergreens
and bunting In anticipation OF reception
by the Mayor. Into this room the unterrifed were
admitted and at the westerly end OF the west room
they could have seen Louis Lang's, handsome and ex
tensive picture OF
THE RETURN OF THE sIyrY-NINTH REGIMENT
after the battle OF Bull run. The pIcLure aside from
its critically artistic merits, was evidently welcome
feast for many OF the visitors. That memorable
morning OF July 27 1884, when the regiment landed at
pier No. l. foot Of Battery place, vividy recalled.
The surroundings OF the nelghborhoOd Of the Battery
Washington Hotel and Castle Garden on that occa-
sion most accurately delineated while the majority
OF the faces shown In the picture are excellent
portraits. The painting elected during the day
many cheer OF appreciation and delight from the
numbers who visited 1t.
When the artillerymen had completed firing the
salute they were entertained by Mr. Roome keeper OF
the City Hall. When the battery about to depart
they made the hall ring with cneers for the Governor
the Mayor and their general host. Beyond this
there were no festivities in any OF The public Offices