The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-12-22
NEW YORK HERALD FRIDAY DECEMBER lS7l-rRlPLE

guilty Of the innocent weakness OF squandering an
hour IN f0astng his eyes vita tho sDtendors OF
the Cnrlstmss dsplaJ IN inc s.ores WIZ ad0 mI ,cS
Christmas dinner. AND as for especially Jovlal and
goodnatured mcn-those who are married. at any
rate-we all know that they get ecoided every
evening during the fortnight before Christmas for
being late 10 dinner, and are even unjusts accused
has 70 % "a.
looking II the pretty things in the shops and wisn.
Ing that they were rch enough ~ make tea times AZ
thus delight the eyes ana move the hearts OF every
Kinsman and friend.
Some one said long time ago that but for Christ
mas ana It's kindly rlies, which GLADDEN. o r hearts
and give us lair excuse for ending old lenas anu
taking rS rev Ssss o. lie we soua Is oa s
indeed whether given or taken, do more than pre-
vent our growing old; they actually ada 70 our
youth by maKlnr u.s. Tor the time feel young ana
hopeful True. the season may be SHORT aud the
rejnvenescence but transient but It Is none tie TESS
face OF some happy child, which has lit IN INTO BEAM
ing delight we have produced from our iocket
almost Involuntary 10 our own dawn or lie wnea
existence for US too, careless bur JOYOUS noli
day. ens onds ana whose was UnstaneI
by single spring OF remorse. Hands tnat nave
long been still and helpless then minlstercd to our
pleasure as ours are doing now; LOVING eyes, for
ever glazed In death, reflected our delight; kindly
voices, now hushea and silent, though their echo
even YET haunts our day dreams gently bade Us be
happy and good. II Is no light thing that genera
ii, n should thus be knit to generation by these
genial tribes A few Genus worth OF painted wood,
hideously dlscOrdant chlu'S trumpet nandtul
OF candies may DC N me eye OF cynic or politi-
cal economst-neafly all cynics, BY the way. are
there, few political economists VINO are not
cynics-but SO much wasted wealth-a foolish
But men with hearts that still thrill with aieciIonate
memories OF happy past know better.
There 10 no more pleasant sight. perhaps even at
this Joyous season OF the year. than 10 watch good
sized company OF children being taken about TO toy
stores and candy shops JUST to feast their over
school has closed, and next TO matin g perform
ancc OF pantomime, or q spectacular drama the
circus, this cruise amid the splendOrs OF Christmas
commerce is The most popular and coveted gratin-
cation OF the new hOdays. 1t Is OF expressly
stipulated and agreed by each and al contracting
tuned TO buy anythlng-no matter how cheap-that
may happen 10 charm the eyes OF her children. This
that any object may excite is to be OF q purely
Platonic character and must never be allowed to
stipulated and agreed that the boys and girls are g
he good and must keep together ana take care not
to be lost IN the crowd, and must not be in hurry
TO cross street. and must not rum lest they should
they get tired and 80 on TO the end OF long chap.
grave and weighty clauses. very slight exertiOn
Of memory VIII enable most men to remember such
FULLY entered, ana which they shamelessly broke
ana disregarded PAYING perhaps IN one ever.mem.
oraole instance, for the offence with the AWFUL and
house by kindly policeman As o strayed child and
having to stay there hours and hours the course
OF which the SAID offender got very hungry, ana
fed BY the bounty OF the sergeant until at lightfa
papa came IN . great state OF excitement to fetch
him home. But such adventurous Journeys rarely
end so disastrousy, though they are invariably
marked with many sudden fright anu narrow
escape. Perhaps the little army OF sightseers 90
down town In the morning with papa, who waits
half an hour behind mis- usual time on purpose to
accompany them. and even then has great difficulty
IN getting them 10 move. Then, beginning IN the
great wholesale toy stores they march slowly up
broadway. An! what wonders open upon the view
as they turn out OF the acknowledging downtown
street up dark staircase and emerge upon huge
floor lighted by an immense skylight and wen
Inventions for the nursery. The eye is fairly bewil
dered by the amazing wealth OF treasures with
which 1t Is greeted every side Dolls Dy the tnou
sand, male and female, blonde and brunette Though
mostly blonde, because 1t Is almost Impossible TO
have black nair that VIII lay down smooth, while
naxen hair, though equally rough, does not look
very bad when displayed as "towhead'n, and
dressed In all modes OF fashion and every known
uniform, from Norman peasant to lady Of the
"high wOrldn-frOm . landwehr soldier with
spiked helmet to a harlequin or policeman; games
by the hundred, and most OF them OF new and
heardOf splendor and ingenuity; toy toOlchests,
Eoah's Arks, houses and furniture theatres musi-
cal boxes and tiny dolls dresses and boots aud hats
by uncounted millions. Mamma IN an under
tone explains to the courteous salesman that
she wishes 10 take her children around to see the
store and will to morrow call in and make her pur-
chases. Slowly and with lingering footsteps the
children walk amid the treasures that line their
MI Thn0 uan t.vv - .x-.t.