Daily Kennebec journal., 1870-01-08
LETTER FROM NEW YORK.
And oh, if there be Pandemonium on Fart
Ii is this, il is this"

NEW ORR, Jan. 9th. 1870.
To the Editor Of the Kenae5ee Journal.
The holiday season is over and New York
assumes its usual aspect. Broadway and up
town business feel a very natural charge.
1t is noteworthy fact, that for the past two
years Christmas is so much more observed
than New Years Day. Formerly, the gifts
were presented and received on the first day
of the year, and Christmas recognized
merely as holiday, the public schools closing
the day before, and re-opening the I'd of Jan.
The rapid influx of the Eastern people to the
city has reversed matters somewhat, for they
WELD large influence here and in the adjoin
ing city of Booklyn, 1. e. aside from politics.
The custom of making and receiving New
Years calls which originated with the old
Knckerboekers and is almost universally OBJ
served from the thick headed Irish servant
girl to the millionaire of 9TH Avenue, has
been partially abandoned the past few years,
lowing perhaps to the continued inclement
weather. But this year it has revived with
not little vigor.
Those who had been praying for sunshine,
and who rushed Ito take look" returned
with evident satisfaction, feeling sure they
could trust old Sol for this time. But they
were doomed to disappointment. Towards
noon he pulled his head under the clouds as if
for shelter, and down poured the rain in tor
rents, and o how dress suits and eight dollar
silk hats had to take it.
The ladies are in readiness at about ten
O'Clock and not until midnight do they lock
their doors and turn off the gas. In this aa
in every other fashion, there are those who go
| to great extremes. For instance one gentle
| men whom met had list of two hundred of
| the fair sex, all of whom he was determined
| to see. SO in the fourteen hours which, (and
| it is very hard work. without allowing any
| time to be consumed in travelling, it gave him
| four and one fifth minute at each place. This
! is proof conclusive that ''fools are not all
| dead yet
For one unaccustoned to this formality il
| is highly amusing to hear the conversation
| when the gentleman has been ushered into
the parlor. will give you small idea of it.
| Gentleman.-''Ah. wish you happy New
| Year?"
Lady.-'.Thank you, l wish you the same.
| Allow me to introduce you to Miss F.,
and Miss s.
Gentleman to first lady.-'IIave you had
many calls?"
Lady.-''Well no, not great many; about
eighty"
| Gentleman rising to go.-''O! think that
| is large number. Well good day ladies" P"
| On he goes to the next place with the same
| routine to go through with.
The more sensible select few particular
| friends, and make their visits of a respectable
| length. The table which is set for the refresh
ment of these toilers, generally consists of
cold turkey, picked oysters, cake, coffee, and
| in too many instances wine. The number of
| intoxicated young men seen in the street on
Saturday, is alarming The ladies to great
extent are responsible for this growing evil.
The fair hand of lady offers the cup, and
the aristocratic young man will not refuse,
and is thus perhaps led into habits of intem-
perance. Hundreds who never touched it on
other occasions feel excused for indulging on
New Years day.
1t was my pleasure last week to hear Han
del's grand oratorio of ''The Messiah" as per-
formed by the Brooklyn Choral Union. This
is a young but very fiourishing Society. The
Academy of Music was pretty well filled by
good audience. 1t is but their just need of
praise to say that it was creditable perform
ance throughout. The soloists were a new
Soprano. Madam Gertrude Frankaw Hess,
Charlotte v. Hutchings, Contralto, George
Simpson, Tenor, and j. R. Thomas, Basso.
The three latter are too well known to receive
any comment from my pen. The principal
features of the performance, were the Aria,
II know that my Redeemer liveth," as sung
by Madam Hess and the good old 'Hallelu-
jah Chorus" The encores were long and
deserved.
notice that Choral Society has been
formed in your good city, under the able
leadership of Prof. Milliken. Permit me to
suggest this class of music to their considera-
ton. 1t would certainly afford your citizens
a series of rich and soul inspiring entertain
mepts, besides pecuniary advantages to them