New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-26

PHASES or A METROPOLITAN HOLIDAY
THE COSMOPOLITAN CHARACTER OF THE CITY
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. RELIGION IN
THE CHURCHES AND PRACTICAL CbRlsiiAN'
ITY IN THE BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS
II was one of the traditions OF old New
York that the good Saint Nicholas, who was
OF an eplcure assembled the belfry OF the old Dutch
Church on Christmas day goat over the aroma tha'
rose from the Knickerbocker dinngooms OF tne oueh
time as the welseasoned vands and dainty produc.sol
the Dutch ovens were served at midday. Inc pa'on
Saint of the metropolis he had remembered MS forer
roos yesterday might have detected mover odors tn
were the natural result Of culinary Innovations oue .no
delicate fragrance Of good cheer and hearty tenowsnP
that rose from thousands OF happy no"e' "N
eladdened his soul as OF old.
Christmas scenes In the metropolis are as varied as
the elements of its social life. Christmas esuVesi ~
America are few and simple, for these are the
Of tradition, and austere PROTESTANT anccsiS 'a
had no sympathy with the observances tat 'ne
festival An the old world has left lite descendants as
heritage no holiday significant customs tnat are ~
all a,stinctve But New-York has gradually Drawn tue
streams OF emigration from the whole world INTO its
SETTLING currents and owing TO It's composite
ts Observance OF Christmas is curious mosaic 10 "oen
the manners and traditions Of all Christian natlous are
blended The yule clog may not be LAID In the nrepace
of the Amerlcanized English household nor the christ
mas meats DO decked with rosemary and borne 10 inc
table ON silver platter but the mugs are filled with
English ale; the plum pudding naturally supplements
the roast beef and tho mstetoe b hung over the par
or door, On the East Side too, as In Germany inc aay
retained its significance in every house as tne
children's festival Every German household, yester
day, had its yew bough or its Christmas tree,
crowned with dumpy angel OF goa anu
silver raiment illuminated with wax tapcrs'
and fragrant with bonbons and gingerbread In some
circles perhaps where the associations OF North Ger
many were fresh in memory the holiday Rits had oeen
sent TO the Knecht Rupert who, disguised IN naAen wig
and white robe, distributed them to the eaildren Inc
deyout Irishman, mindful OF the tradition that the
Chrschid was born before daylight, attended the MD
night mass the Frenchman whisted noel Deiore
breakfast; the Russian had bottle OF klrsch Win AIS
sausages and sailed meat; and the Italian shook his
heels to the music OF tambOuriDe and guitar at the even
ing's masquerade. American families copying more
closely the customs Of the Germans and the English
decked their with holly and evergreens, and az
tho close of the pleasant Christmas dinner gathered
around the childrens SO passed Christmas In tine
cosmopolitan city, the obser vance taking many coofs
from the national traditions that were remembered
There was a fringe OF the trees and house
tope and the air was frosty crisp, and nyigorating
The churches throDged during the forenoon, ana
the Significance of the day the theme of the pulpit
discourses Few comments perhaps, were needed lor
Christmas appeals to the heart rather than
the head, and The beautiful thought OF goodwill to
men the dullest soul eoHd apprehend. Even thrifty
poultry dealer Washington Market, had learned the
charity OF the although he had not occupied
pew in the church. for when he caught lean hungry
looking boy the act OF stealing OF his turkeys ne
compounded tho felony with these words; You're
thinking Of your mother lad, you would MT be steal
ing on Christmas; you're welcome 10 1t; aud take bit
of celery with It, for she may relish that, too"
In strong contrast In tho wool OF city life were the
scenes in tenernents brownsone fronts scenes on
the ioe and In ball rooms in noisy barroons ana
in peaceful homes but perhaps the peasantest scenes
Of the day were in the lodging houses and mission
schools the asyums and homes for the aged and friend
less where charity opened her hand and TOOK to her
heart for a day at least the little children who had
scarcely stocking hang up Ht the chimney and the
Ioyless who had nOue to care for them. There were
hundreds of such entertainments, yesterday, which VIII
be rendered gratefully for weeks TO by those who
felt the warm pressure OF Christian, helping hand.
Every year the benevolent institutions aud societies
become more generous amoners TO the poor, kinding
es on cold heaTthsones and cheering the hearts Of the
homeless 1t is the influence Of scenes like these that
inspires the thought that NewYork Ia the worst city
only because it Is the largest and that Its merits arc
marked as ts bemishes.
Even the criminal classes felt the sanctty OF the day
for there Of and rotng than usual
aud thieves plots against honest neighbors post
pOued from superstious dread, mayhap that Christ
mas crime would prove unlucy Long before the carly
shadows had heightened into night honest men had felt
within them 1t is to be hoped development OF their
liner senses and had learned the lesson OF the day. that
underneath their intercourse with their fellOw-men
should flow the current Of @ broad and generous
hood.