The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-12-27
CITY TRLLI GRNC r..
CHRISTMAS.
How the Day was Deserved in the City.

Yesterday passed off as pleasantly as any
Christmas for several years back-indeed, the
order and decorum observed during the hours
called Christmas Day were the subject of COM
ment not only by our citizens, but at police
headquarters, which but few years back at
the closing hours of the day were filled with
cases of crime of every grade in the calendar.
The city is to be congratulated upon the general
quiet which reigned yesterday. But few men
with tangled legs and displaying propensity
to prop up dead walls and lamp-posts were upon
the streets. Although there were large crowds
upon the prominent thoroughfares, particularly
in the afternoon, there was no noise and no
confusion.
Christmas eve was specially unlike to Christ
mas ewes of years gone by. On Eighth street
the difference we'll marked. Then you got
mashed in no yelling jostling throngs-saw no
women tossed in the air, beheld no hats doused
in the cutters or coats ripped from tail to collar
large posse of policemen lined the thorough
fare, and an order having been issued to arrest
all masqueraders or horn blowers, their duties
were very light.
The churches were closed the religious cere-
monies having been performed on Sunday,
when all were filled. The new Church of the
Incarnation, at Broad and Jefferson streets, and
the new chapel of the Calvary Presbyterian
Church, on Locust street. above Fifteenth, were
dedicated in the morning with appropriate and
solemn exercises.
REPoRToRIAI.. BANQUET.
The second annual banquet of the reporters
of Philadelphia came off last night at the Ameri
without exception, the finest it has ever been
our pleasure to attend. Out of the fraternity
OF reporters, numbering some thirty odd, there
were at least twenty-seven present. These gen.
tlemen, prior to entering the banqueting hall,
were Hospitality entertained by Mr.. Charles
McShane, the gentlemanly superintendent of
the hotel, in the reading-room of that large esta
blishment. At 0 O'clock the repertorial corps
marched in couples to the festive board which
excelled anything of the kind ever before
attempted. The table was loaded down with
the good things of this life, and it is unneces-
sary to say that full justice was done on the
occasion. The bill of fare included all the deli
cacles OF the season, and game of all kinds was
in abundance. In preparing the bill of fare
Mr.. Hewlings, the proprietor of the hotel, had
called to his aid the best cooks in the city, and
the result of their labors was shown In the
splendid banquet spread before the newspaper
men last night. The table presented an artistic
appearance and the decorations were of an
attractive and handsome character. Baskets of
flowers, pyramids of macaroni, oranges, ETC.,
added to the establishment of the festive board
Mr.. Joseph l.. Fortescue, one of the Oldest report
ers in Philadelphia, presided at the table. At
the word of command from this gentleman the
company proceeded TO partake of the good
things set before them. At about ten O'Clock
the eatables were removed, and then the
''champy," which was on hand in large quanti-
ties, was brought into requisition, and season
of merriment, speech-makins, ETC., was com
menced. The following sentiments were pro-
posed, and responded to by the gentlemen
named:-
Philadelphia Journalism-Re by Charles e..
Wilson.
our Employers-May our Efforts always Conduce
to their Financial Welfare-Response by Lawrence
w. WallaZZ.
Reporting as a scence-Its Triumphs and its
Drawbac ks-Response by William j. Jones.
Bohemans a4Q Bores-The Parasites OF the Press
Response by William H. Fisher.
Our Salaries-May they never Decrease Response
by Hugh A. Mullen, Jr
Our Pens and Pencis-May they never Fail Us
Response by l. r. Benner.
Our Wives and weethearts-Response by 7. E.
Harkins.
Midnight Watches-Response by William f. Small
"The Fifth Degree'-Response by E. M. IIassel-
bach.
The city of Philadelphia, its commerce. etc.
were toasted, and impromptu speeches were
made by the chairman, George Pierrie and
other gentlemen. Thomas L. Harkins and
other members of the press delighted the assem-
blage with song, and the festivities were con-
tinued until about i o'clock this morning, at
which hour the company dispersed, highly
pleased with the evenings enjoyment. The
affair passed off pleasantly to all concerned
and it was such an occasion as tended to in
crease the brotherly feeling already existing
among the knights of the quill. To the com
mittee of arrangements-Jo III. Paist,
Joseph l.. FoTtescue, Edward j. SWartz, and Rob
ert A. Welsh-great credit is due, for they
aided materially in adding success to the affair.
Before adjounring the following-named gentle
men were appointed committee of arrange
ments for next year;-Thomas K. Harkins,
Alexander j. MeCleary, and William II. Fisher.
FROZEN OyER.-The schuylkill, from the dam
up to the WissahickOn, is frozen over, and the