Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-01-01
Correspondence.
Letter from Washington.
WASHINGTON. ID. c.. Dec,

one alone but MANY! May the Lord grant
you full store of happy years. and your
shadow never grow less through them all. |
Ones heart should be CHEEKY in this festal |
time. and full of good wishes for all the |
world. i. e. if any heart is sufficiently |
capacious 20 hold SO much. and do justice |
to it all, which. alas but few of US have.
1t does one good though to see the many
happy faces to be met In these holidays,
and the joyous looks upon them, especially
those of the DEAR blessed children. whose
holiday it is by right. since the advent of
the babe of Bethlehem on that starry night
SO long ago. when the angels sang the
song of glad tidngs TO all the world with
the promise of peace on earth. to be iul-
filled sometime in the future ages, when
humanity grows wiser and better, but not
yet will the prophecy bring its accomplish
ment.
Christmas Eve, was a gala time in the
city, and the streets were filed with happy
people hurrying here. there. and every
where OF their cheerful errands, each
anxious to give joy and pleasure to some
other heart; all day long the streets had
the appearance of that Birnam wood
which came TO Dunsinane with the forest
OF Christmas trees on their way TO glad
den the various home circles. with their
wondrous fruit. and in the evening the
crowd was still busy and eager to carry
out its good intentions.
The stores were brightly Illuminated.
and displaying their treasures in the most
! attractive manner. Jewelry establishments
I were gorgeous with their store OF valusbles,
aud the blaze of precious stones added to
/ the gold and silver fairly dazzled ones
eyes. and set the Imagination in vain
wanderings, not 10 say longings. Lovely
pictures. and beautiful books excited eager
desires, till one wanted to be a Roihschild
Immediately, and buy them all. 81. Mich
olas. transformed in scores OF shapes
nodded from the windows. and promised
many things to the children, who went
home TO dream of him. and the prizes he
should bring them in the morning. Happy
children to whom a broken .llu sion bring :
no sorrow, and a disappointed hope causes
no lasting grief! If the stocking is not
filled by the good saint in the morning. he
will come next time. and all will be made
right in some way. Heaven grant us all
the same comforting philosophy As we go
on in life.
But the market was the gayest scene OF
all. and fairly bewiidering with ITS throng
OF BUYERS. seeking literally for what they
might devour: all the stalls were orna-
mented with Christmas greens. aud the
stock made even more tempting by il
surroundings. Everything was ready for
the purchaser from 4 bunch OF grapes 10
an elephant il seemed, and the wonder
was how so much provision could he dis
posed OF even in large city; the tables
were loaded with every article of food to
rejoice the hungry heart of man, and the
eager buyers went 10 and fro quite con-
fused by the emtdras des richesscs before
their eyes. Many lordly fowl hung there
which, like the Iri>hman's fish. had
strutted round In the morning with his
, hands in his pockets. grand a. any prince
and now only waited 10 be served on some
table. and many a joint - worthy OF
knighthood As King Charles's "Sir Loin''
looked up from its re,ting-place waiting
, for transfer TO q market basket. Nege-
, tables of all kinds were exhibited TO the
best advantage. and found ready buyers,
while the display of fruit was enough 10
tempt an anchorite 10 possess the beauties
Even outside the building the poor Old
croues held up their wreaths and crosses
OF evergreen with such piteous entTeatie-
e that ones heart grew soft towards them,
and thoughts of charity crcpt in for the
piiiful hays warming their chilled fingers
BY their little fires of blazing charcoal. and
shivering in their rags. The plenty within
J Knocked the want without, and made the
contrast more striking, from the light aud
, warmth and profusion Of the glaring mar
ket House TO the poverty and hunger OF
the sufferers outside begging with sad
! faces for "a penny for Christmas"
At the churches, the usual services were
had. and at MANY OF them were Christmas
trees for the children; midnight servic,
: with due pomp and ceremony was per
1 formed at some OF the Episcopal churches
o and the Catholics commenced their wor
ship at five o'clock on Christmas morning
u with a grand High Mass at eleven. Tor The
i less devout
The churches were magnihcently deco
rated, and all the grandeur of the imposing
ceremonial was displayed TO do honor tC
the natal day of Him, who had not wher,
h to Law his head while on earth. but whom
f the church delights TO honor now. At 81
Alaysins. the High Altar was a blaze o
light, and the floral offerings were almost
e countless, making gorgeous spectacle
= indeed. and 'as the service proceeded. ana
p the glorious music filled the church. In,
!, scene had a wonderful fascination. and tn,
devotion of the worshippers was no
e strange. even TO a herstic looher-on.
But why Christmas should be ushered il
with ringing of bells. and bursting Of fire
crackers is a puzzle. Our holidays mus
r not be so mixed, or We shall think Fourl
!. of July nondescript, and not respect il il
c a patriotic way as we should. There ia,
-, h.inp,T and fhara fhav slasff
i remain. instead OF coming over the months
. to Christmas in this style.
But not entirely in religious way die
the holiday pass naturally. People vii
not ALWAYS do as they should. and yer,
many INDUCED too freely in the pleasures
/ of the table. consequently could not easily
+, walk straight line, and drunkenness wa
quite too prevalent for good manners. l
Is said by those who know that there wer'
more drunken people seen on Christina!
Day than at any other time since the sur
render of Gensral Lee, which does no
speak well for the steady habits of th,
= citizens of the Capital of the nation.
: Bat enough of Christmas. it comes bu
once year. and should be enjoyed b,
: every one, who can enjoy holiday. An,
: the glimpse of happiness it gives to manl
!, a weary heart is great good. and tast'
h of blessedness to those who may have bu
. little else 10 enjoy on earth.
Politics are forgotten. and the cares o
e office laid aside by our legislators, who g
v to their different homes for rest from tn,
e labors of the session. The Capital has
quiet air and waits for its life TO return
: after holidays. Theatres are not flourish
ing since the two evenings of opera a
Ford's, when the divine Nillson enchanted
}. her hearers, and poured gold into thu
;, Golfers of the manager. The inimitabl'
Nash gave one OF his characteristic lectures
$ Tuesday eve. with illustrations drawn OF
e the spot. Ii was very amusing, and hi
skill in handling the crayOn would have
been remarkable in any other than him self
u Only few rapid strokes of the crayon. ant
5 his design was embodied so clearly that ne
+ one could fail to recognize it, and the laugh
must come perforce. How could it be-
avoided! Now with renewed, Christina:
wishes, close. Yours, y.