Wilmington daily commercial. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1866-1877, 1874-12-26

THE OBSERVANCE OF THE DAY IN wILMIso IONA
QUIET rEsTrvAL-rHE CHRISTMAS TRADE-pREs-
ENrs AND THE MANNER OF THEIR orvrSo INCL
DENTS OF THE DAY, ETC.
Whatever may have been lacking in the en-
joyment Of Christmas day was due to an insati
able temperament an inability to obtain the
customary concomitants OF the season. Nature
was never in moreamiable mood, and the genial
sunshine 30 tempered the wintry hours that they
were relieved of all tedium and sped by only too
rapidly. Tie day was unusually mild and in
viting, and it was not therefore strange that so
many persons betook themselves to the Streets
to bask in the sunshine or to pass from house
to house in neighborly calls and in the inspec-
ton of the Christmas gifts. Such glorious
Christmas day, 30 far as nature WAS concerned,
seems not to have been remembered by our old
est inhabitants and it is doubtful if there ever
WAS a more thorough ENJOYMENT.
Ike day WAS quietly ushered in, unattended
by any OF the noisy demonstrations common TO
many holidays, and passed away just as pleasant
ly and quietly. Early service was held III sever
al OF the churches, as indicated in the pro-
gramme which we printed on Thursday, aud
many persons repaired thither. At a still ear
lier hour several Of the church chors of the city
betook themselves to the streets and INDUCED in
| sacred serenades, the melody of their voices
floating on the still night air for several squares
distant /" AS shepherds watched their focks by
night" reverberated in every dire cuon, but
| somehow. in the change of the centuries, the
scenes to which many were witnesses on this oc-
casion were somewhat different from that which
tho grand old hymn describes, and instead OF the
shepherds becoming the watchers they were
| aroused from their slumbers by the falling
of the melodious strains OF the fiocks upon their
ears. This was pleasant feature OF the day
an old time custom, which, while it has never
died out, seems to have been much quickened
| this year.
Business was conducted as usual during the
| morning, the most OF the stores being open. In
| the afternoon, however, there was general
suspension, and from the stores merchants and
| clerks wendell their ways to more pleasant and
more inviting scenes. Flags were also displayed
in several places, and the day wore an appear
snce similar to all other holidays. Considerable
| of drunkenness was to be seen in the streets.
and many arrests were made for this misde
meanor, but there were no serious infractionH
of the peace and good order of the day. Pro-
badly tue nearest approach to such thing
occurred at Second and Orange streets about
one o'clock, when two fremen got into an
alteration which threatened to involve several
members Of two of the companies, but bystand
ers prevented n general melee and the heated
passions soon cooled down. There were also
several little noisy demonstrations which drew
together large crowds in several places. but none
are worthy Of especial mention.
Looking at the return of the festival in bust
ness point Of view, 1t brought varying fortune 4
the merchants and other dealers OF the city
There were, probably, the usual number OF gifu
given away, but the bulk Of them was vastly diff
feront from that Of former years. In thu
} bestowal OF presents, this season, tn
presentation Of HerviceAble articles seem
to have been the general rule henc
there was change in the extent o
the sales among the dealers in the differen
branches OF trade. All, however, claim to hav,
done very fair business, considering the dull
ness Of the times, but some have done even bet
ter than usual, notably those who keep for sal
the minor articles Of household economy, &c
Comparatively few costly presents were made, 8
| far as We can learn, and no very great prepars
ton WAS made for this lima by the city mel
chants although their stocks we're probably q
attractive as usual, very great taste and judg
ment having been exercised in their display. III
toy and confectionery dealers did a rushing bus
ness, usual, for no matter how hard tn
times or the scarcity OF money, the chi
dren must be made happy in the gratif
cation OF their desires. Taken all in all I'll
Christmas trade was quite satisfactory, and I'll
cash sales brought out q considerable addito
TO our circulating medium, the good effect
which will probably be felt for come time
come.
There was no general public celebration OF Il
day outside OF the churches Some incident
however, are worthy Of note. At noon Eli Or
xier made his distribution Of bread and soup
the City Hall, and q large number of perso
partook Of his bounty. In the evening, dI
matte performance was given at the Opera Hou
by SherTy's combination to Rudien
which filled all the seats and many cha
which were placed in the aisles
side. This decidedly the largest house win
has been gathered there this season, and t
largest that there is any possibility Of drawi
NJ together for some time to come. Scott and
rn u worth Sunday schools gave successful and pie
ing entertainments in their respective church,
Both were appropriately decorated with ey
greens, and well arranged programmes We
performed TO the apparent satisfaction of I
= large number OF people assembled. The orr
Of exercises consisted Of the customary singh
reports, addresses &c.