The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1873-01-09
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NJ Editor
F.us6a'I began ts pat 90 her holiday
3fsss rather early tu che season. tempt.
ing peoples pockets aa8 araasiug
their curiosity hy reminders ja every
window that Santa Clans was erpeetsd.
Stores werc allied with anxious par.
rhasors who debated over quantities "a
silk and velvet. whether the new shade
Of green or some other color would bg
mere becoming. while buyers Of doatt
fol articles. AZ frmt knives. pocket
books or inkstands. were met by the
pertinent iuqaiy, is il fer a lady %
gentleman" Christmas morn dawne3
cold and clear, bot wrapped ia fur.
many people attended service At the
Episcopal church and also at the hand
some Catholic church on North street
one Of the finest buildings in this part
81 the State, erected at a cost Of ST5..
900
At about six p IN Santa Claus ar.
rived ia town, directly from Krissland.
aud commenced his visits at Maple
wood. " that time honorcd institution,
which for many years has given him a
cordial welcome at this season. Many
people have heard Of Santa Claus but
few have been so privileged as TO sec
him, aud for the benefit of interested
children who have never been so fortu-
nate, | will describe the hero He is
rather short aud heshy, has a full 10, ial
lace, long white hair and beard and a
very hearty laugh. He was dressed in
furs I think il must have been the
skin Of a white polar bear with orna-
mtnts that glittered in the gaslight--.
perhaps Alaska diamonds-and bells.
He had sent his aids before him who
had fcstooned the chapel of the insti-
tuto with laurel and hemlock and plant
cd three trees heavily laden with fruit
that grows nowhere but on Santa Claus
farm aud which he now distributed to
the assembled company. In an hour he
had departed, promising to retarn in
Just one year, and think went visiting
other homes, for the next day | heard
of many places where he had been.
The managers Of the new Academy
of Music took advantage Of the season
to open its doors to the public for the
first time, contributing not a little to
the enjoyment Of the people. This
building, the latest pride Of PittsfeId,
is of brick trimmed with blue stone in
a peculiar and conspicuous style Of ar
chitecture. The first floor contains six
stores and the entrance to the academy
proper, which is handsomely paved
with blue and white stones The audi
forum, with seats for 1900 persons will
attract attention from even a casual OBJ
server by the taste and harmony Of its
decorations, while special attention has
been paid to ventilation and precau.
tons from accidents by fire. For one
week a company selected from the
principal theaters OF New York, Boston
and Philadelphia gave a series of dra
matte entertainments with good sue.
cess but the real dedication of the
house took place on the 9th, under the
direction Of Prof b, C. Blodgett, Of
Pittsfeld. Handles Oratorio of the
Messiah was rendered by four well
known artists, Mrs J. Houston West
Soprano Mrs. Barry, Contralto Mr..
Packard Tenor and Mr.. Whitney,
Basso, with a full orchestra of twenty
artists from Boston assisted by the
Pittsfcld Musical Association. The
time, place and subject seemed espe.
cially harmonious and wonderfully i'm.
pressed the audience with the spirit Of
this noblest work of our greatest must
clan. 1t was an occasion that will
long be remembered, and with credit tc
the musical taste Of Pittslield people
On the evening Of Jan, lst The favor
Of Terpsichore was invoked under the
auspicies Of the Learned Engine Com
pany assisted by the Germania Orches
ira from Boston. Rumor sta cs that the
goddess smiled upon them, granting
excellent music and q pleasant time tc
her votarios.
A watch meeting was held on the
last night of the old year, at the Meth
odist Church, which was well attended
and fall Of interest, particularly tn,
solemn observance Of the Lords Sup
per at midnight. The last iee minutes
were spent in silent prayer around the
altar, after which the congregation
Ioined in the old Methodist Covenant
Hymn" A sunrise prayer meeting was
held at The first Congregational Church
on new years morn, which gatehrcd
additional interest from being the day
for the installation Of the new pastor
and the presence Of several strange
faces, who participated in the services
Rev, Edward 0. Bartlett, from Provi
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