The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-02
How tho Festival Was Observed in Private
Dwellings, at the City Hall and
in the Public Institutions.
THE SERVICES In THE CHURCHES.
A Feast of Fat Things on
the islands.
Ths Day in the Park and
on the Road.

F1fth avenue, about noon tlme yesterday, was 10
the thoughtful man who looked around with re-
nective vision a sermon, poem, homily and
novel all IN one. Male society in Its best clothes
filed the sidewalks, and was pursuing its way
with dignity of mien and with pleasurabe expec-
tation imprinted on its brow to pay its respects
and offer New Year greetings to the other and
more lovely half OF society that was receiving"
1t the brown stone and marble palaces on either
side. 1t Is on such day as this that we see the
benefits Of civilization. We are all 30 accustomed
to look at one another as Ishmaels, that when we
do lnd that the hands OF fellows against
u.s. but within our own, held firmly, ana some
times tenderly, and we hear one CHEEKY voice after
another wishing us "A happy New Year, and many
OF them" we readily resign ourselves to the pre-
vailing sentiment and let the best side OF soul
dover and turn itself toward the sunlight or good
nature. The distinguishing characteristic OF New
Years Day in New York Is scaling" and 'receiv-
Ing" The men "ca" and "the women" receive.
It Is an old KnickerbOcker custom that has sur
vived the decadence OF social and political life in
midst. 1t is OF the few things that neither
'tshoddy,n "Tweed ttAevng'' nor "vulgar wealth.
could kill, and so it has lived among us and
thrived with each year of its growth. The men pay
tribute TO beauty by dressing well; they go gene.
rally in carriages to make their calls; they are
faultlessly appointed they have neat glossy boots
and
WHITE GLOVES
They ally themselves with innocence by wear.
Ing bouquet OF flowers in the buttonhoes Of their
coat, and II there should be bar sinister in their
reputation these flowers suggest to those who
might be cynical that humanity, like the earth,
may have a chemistry Of nature that has the
power of transformation. 1t is not the young men
alone who ''call." Men in the sere and yellow Leaf
Of time, with bearing that is both polite and
drop cards in baskets, and, where o table is laid,
drink to the health and happiness of the ladies of
the house, and smile benediction feminlnity in
adazzling array Of dry goods. Man thus shows his
best side this day. Plutarch tells US that .Soc-
rates was born very satyr; but within and without
he so transformed himself by this sculpture of
reason, OF virtue and devotion, he so improved his
face, that at last god looked through it, by whom
the PhRdon is ilumed." Our New York men don't
turn to gods by New YEARS. celebrations and
calling. Unfortunately some OF them, before the
day closes, become in form and feature something
that resembles that which is generally regarded as
the opposite OF the gOdlike But the love of beauty
Is indigenous to woman. and when she sees man at
his best, as she does on ''New Year, Is 1t any
marvel that she falls into captivity Frequently
this captivity Is mutual bond has been formed
on "New Year'' that compasses botn time and
eternity. Woman In her youthful and maiden
oveness and man In the glory and 1ulness Of his
youthful strength are in state of susceptibility
on these occasions that ultimate in benefactlons
10 the race, and so the New Year receives bap-
Hsm Of
BEAUTY AND LOVE
On its natal day that will survive all the mutations
Of time. We begin the new year by striking a
chord so harmonious and so inspiring that It's
echoes lnger with us all the year through. The
day is not allowed to be day merely of senti-
ment; it would be very strange thing for New
York If it were. city that has worldwide
reputation for Its hospitality keeps up its reputa-
tton on day like yesterday. So at all the houses
shat the men made formal calls at there was pro-
vision made for the lower wants of mans
nature. Beauty, in elaborate evening Dress
was surveyed by towering Insecurity through
the sparkles OF glass Of bubbling cham
payne, and words that had something
more than compliment in them were uttered in
the intervals OF the Strengthening additions of cake
and sandwiches. All this went on in Fifth avenue
and the uptown fashionable districts. With bal
your tradesmen 1t is easy TO be hospitable and
fashionable. Even II the wine merchants bill is not
paid, and the professional caterer has yet to re-
celVe that overdue bill that has been running up
70 such formidable array OF figures, we, who
d drink the wine and eat the cake, know nothing
did pay for TEEN. Why should we pry
can lay the aterns ancton to OUR souy
that our bills are all paid and that owe no man
tpythlp: INT love and lorbeaSance2 Why, clSlIiza
s s'SH You'd iS,l s al ssS , did snd s. We
be WISE" ''New Years" was kept at
THE FIVE POINTS
as well as at Fifth avenue. The substantial dinners
Of thanksgiving" and Christmas were omitted at
the House OF Industry and the Howard Mission
but the inmates and the children especially had
an opportunity OF enjoying the festivities OF
the day in quiet manner. The trail OF
economy, q consequence Of the panic, re.
strains any undue outbrrss OF generosity
towards the unfortunate poor. The result
institutions were yesterday partially bereft of
tneir Joyous aspect. There was notable excep-
lou ut the institutions on the Island. The
GtGners Of Charities and Correction at Christmas
mas mad the desired erect and parslmonious
economy has been cast aside and generous
Inc prisoners and the poor under their care were
M ,hs as n naPpy as wise 6erality could make
THE CHuRcHEs
were not popular institutions yestAfdAv, Re,igion
was given the cold shoulder as far as attendance
manifested itself In social pleasures and in the
leaty nano>grp o. man with man. 1t was in full
1cGofaanGe Win me reform movement at the City
nail Lnat mayor Havemeyer should continue the
Knickerbocker custom Of receiving the citizens on
New YEARS. Day. His Honor was gratfed with the
S attendance OF large number OF citizens, whom
that has been utilized by the city in
zoo TOO much Of spirit Of vandalism.
Sheriff Conner revived the d-tlmen hospitality
OF the City Hall by generous and elegant
friends and the crowd Of "hangers-on" Of the the
memorably. and when evening came thousands Of
parcrs In the city were made radiant by social
festivals, and the first day OF the new year became
memory oil JOY and happiness to thousands OF our
citizens.