The New York herald., 1874-12-25
LITTLE G ERM A N Y
The Vigil Idyll Of the "Bulls" and
"BearS.'
The Church Music Programme---The Public
Institutions.
"A MERRY CHRIST AS!

representative OF the HERALD who had been
present at the seances OF the Homeses when
"katle King" made her appearance ana who had
assisted in the manifestations OF the Eddys, was
called upon by the editor 20 materiaize the genn
oil Christmas. "If the Eddy family can produce
any number OF spirits, from returning braves and
wild-eyed naldens OF the aDorlgines oil America
TO fine specimens OF the old sclayic races of
Europe there is no reason said the editor, "why
a splendid young fellow like you should not be on
familiar terms with all creation on Christmas
Eve" ~ think l can meet your wishes, Mr..
Editorn answered the reporter, N a suitable
cabinet IS provided.' Here was the difrculty.
Days were spent in the consideration OF this I'M
portant question, and alter long consultations
with Robert Dale owen, the Spritualist, and MIS-.
Murphy the astrologist, 1t was determined TO pro-
vide the reporter with bottle OF old cabinet
whskey and trust the rest TO the spirits.
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS.
Thus equipped the reporter seated himself, on
Christmas Eve, at little round table in dark
circle OF stuffed chairs and diminutlve red sofa.
The conditions favorable. II was not long
until his modest cup had expanded INTO King
Witlafs drinking horn. and he, initiating the
merry monks of Croyiand-of whom 1t was said at
Christmas,
They drank to the saints martyrs
And as soon the horn empty
They remembered one saint more
kept passing the decanter TO the cup ana the cup
TO his hps till the clock struck the hour OF mid
night. Suddenly the scene shifted. Old Clement
Moore, looking exactly as he looked in The last
years OF his life when he was accustomed to climb
down the steps from his old house in the encio.
sure on the emnence at Ninth avenue and Twenty
third street. and crone about the neignborhood,
was sitting in the chair at Sam Dyer's barber
reporter came upon the scene ST. Nicholas saw
him,
Then turned with JERK.
And laying his finger aside oi nj, nose.
And giving Il nod. up the chimney he rose.
With the disappearance OF the chdrels patron
saint the vIsion faded away. The venerable poet
was no longer in the barber's chair. The shop
Itsel. had vanished and the reporter was alone
with his cabinet and an elegantly illustrated
presentation copy OF Moore's Christmas poem
spread cut before HIM, Whether II was d gilt
from Santa Claus or the poet 1t was Impossible to
tell, but on ny-leaf was written In plain neat
hand "To ALVIN Perry, II he loves Christmas lore
and reyeres Christmas customs" The ooy tumbled
out OF bed and, cptching the volume, rolled back
again murnurinA as he went 70 sleep, Dear Old
Santa Claus"
SANTA CLAUS MATERfALIzED.
The reporter still sat at hls table, and his drink
ing horn filed with Invisible draughts from
the cabinet. He put both hands upon the board
and concentrated his thoughts upon Christmas
cheer, when presently there came a tapping, as OF
some one gently rapping, rapping at his chamber
door. To his welcoming ''Come I'M Santa Claus
entered, If not In his proper person, at least cx.
tensvely materaized. He was completely
dressed in fur; his clothes soled with SCOT
and ashes his long white beard filed VITA
ice and snow: but his cheeks alowed his eyes
twinkled aad his nose glstened as If 1t nad been
careiuy coored with good old Burgundy.
He had broad face aud little round belly
An immense pack was on MS pack, and pretty
dolls ana cunning jacksin the-box ana miniature
soldiers in full uniform, and barking dogs and
crying babies, and mobile clowns funny. as
Humpty Dumpty, and a hundred otner devices,
instinct with liie,- Initiating Lady Margaret
Howards toes,
Like little mice ole IN and out
As II they feared the light
There were presents for everybody--even for
bad little girls and poor little boys. The reporter
hesita.ed in greeUing nim hut santa Claus ad-
vanced, like frizzly Forrest behind the footllghts
and exclaimed, ''lou sent for me, and have
come; If you don't want me, I'll go back again y
The reporter pretended not TO recognize his
strange visitor, and said to Santa Claus, From
your language am led TO suppose you claim to he
the spirit OF Edwin Forrest, but you are too d.
not quarTeIon this night OF all others,n said The
ola man, smiling. 81 the glver Of good gifts TO
children and the bearer Of Joy TO every heart. In
New York am somewhat celebrated az ST. Nlcho-
las; IN Germany ths good children call me Kriss
Krngle. and the bad ones Peisnlckel; in other
countries am known by other names, but my
mission is always the same. As 10 myself prefer
the name OF santa Claus, ior by thas name / am
more generally known TO my little friends.n al
glad you come, Mr.. Claus,r an.
swered the reporter 'Indeed. to be entirely
frank with you have made these preparations
expressly for you The powers OF Spirits as you
are very well aware, have been much enlarged o
late. In the past you were associated with Fairy.
land, and have read hundred legends relating
TO your annual visits ON Christmas eve. This is a
material age, anc since you we're materlalized al
my call wish you 10 exert your magic power to
show me tonight that world OF JOY which 1t Is
your mission to reveal at every hearthstone in the
morning. In an instant tile Old man was trans.
formed, and he seemed youthful and an eager
Arie as he SAID -
70 answer thy best pleasure Be I 10 fy,
70 sWlul, y uIve INTO tie lire,
On the curled clouds.
al gladly accept your KIND invitation ~ said the
reporter, and the two were on with Il wnis9
A TRIP WITH SANTA CLAUS,
The travellers went gaily sauing over New Eng.
land in the traditional sleigh, drawn Dy reindeers,
wnica Santa Claus always employs IN his mid-air