The New York herald., 1874-02-24

me City in its Holiday Dress Beautiful
Weather and Happy sightsssrs- Whore the
Crowds Gathered and How They Looked
Quiet Folks in Central Park
Social Enjoyments Of the Day.

more generally than 1t had been for manv vears
The glory Of the hero seemed to have been fading
~ the years went by and the vctors OF the war OF
the rebellion were SO brilliant with well won
honOrs OF modern date that not few people
feared that WashingtOn's Birthday was q thing too
long gone by for any special anniversary juba-
ton. Yesterday, however, revived the former
spirit OF patriotism which washington's memory
- days gone BY never failed to call forth. Ap-
parently,
THIS PATRIOTIC OUTBURsr
was genuine-the sincere growth OF respect to the
great mans memory; but still 1t may be possible
that the love for holiday and desire for relief
from ordinary toll may have induced many people
70 allow Sundays rest to slip into Mondays aDni-
versary, and thus to combine patriotism with
pleasure. more glorious day could not possibly
have been desired than yesterday for any festival
occasion or commemorative event. Balmier
Dreezes could not blow, nor could more
GENIAL SUNSHINE
fall upon the city than made New York yesterday
to glow with bright, pleasant smile everywhere.
The sky overhead was deeply blue and unclouded,
and not even q moments frOwn from above
disturbed the pleasures OF the holiday keep
ers IL was more like o lovely spring
day, with the air wooing bursting buds than like o
day In February, when one might reasonably expect
to don all the preventives against frost and snow
No wonder, then, that New York turned ont in full
numbers to parade the sidewalks, visit the squares
and avenues and see and be seen IN holiday at
tire. From an early hour in the forenoon
THE CITY WORE THIS PLEASANT APPEARANCE,
summer-like in Its character and really revivifyng
to the thousands who always dread the cold
stings Of the expiring winter, and arouse to
q new life when warmed by sunshine like
that OF yesterday. In the afternoon all the
streets were thr0nged with people, who
evidently were lettering in that peculiarly CON-
Portable manner that indicates rest from work.
The squares and avenues turned out their own
quotas and attracted constant crowds OF PROM
enaders. But far the greatest number of the pa
raiders were
THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN.
These lined the sidewalks IN every direction, ju.
venile New York making a magnificent display
How much the sunshine had to do with all this may
be imagined, and now ''nicen all the young folk
looked need not be mentioned. The city was a
pleasant contrast to New York in its everyday
working clothes and grinding labor. There was a
spirited reliet also in seeing the stores open and in
watching the merry style in which those who were
OOi1ged TO be out OF doors at work adopted the
temper Of the occasion and laughed their chagrn
away. There was
NO CHURCH AIR
about the merfymakers; evidently they came out
70 see and be seen, to laugh and to hear others
laugh, and to avoid any reverend individual who
wore a long lace. They were handsomely success
.na S,, ana deserve evidently to get more holidays
at times dlstressfu shades to look az. for the
forced smile might be seen, and 1t was only too
ehink as he passed among the crowds, "POOr fel-
lows, out OF work" But everybody else looked so
themselves must have had their Rearts cneered
eng !esg esess encouraged, The city presented,
GAY AND FESTIVE AIR
than IL Is wont to have. That there are f1a0gta6S
enough upon the houses of this town Is beyond
Inc possibility OF doubtlng and this way OF saying
1t Is used because 1t shows at once and without
circumlocution that New York must have had yes
terday swinging to the breeze very many Of the
Stars and Stripes. Not only on the great build
tngs but on o large number OI private houses and
business stores. the national emblem in various
sazes showed the spirit OF the hour. Even the
wagon drivers and stage men and the drivers OF
ali sorts OF vehicles Ornamented the horses heads
WIN miniature 1ags and some OF the real old New
lngton's memory and lame by wearing little
bunting on themselves. Many places in the city
were
PARTICULARLY NOTICEABLE
Tor the appearance they presented. The City
Han and It's surroundings were In lull holiday at
tlre reminding one OF the excitable times when
the victories oi war sent the nags up IN rush OF
patriotism. The streets were here packed with
square, however, was decked especially for the oc
casl0n and was the centre point OF the public pro-
nlled with men, women and children, ali moving
about and cropping their way among each others
crowds, unfinchlngiy in earnest, but seemingly
enjoying the jOstnngs. At the north side OF the
square, running between the two poles recently
put up there, the nags OF all nations were
strung. The scenes this place during the after
noon were particularly animated. People waited
here Tor hours TO greet
- .r-.r THE VETERANS
hnd to see the fine display Of the Sivth regiment
v hich usually takes under Its esq @tial care the
aged soldiers who glory still in 1872. The expected
alter ong patent waiting the tcs crowd GaHe lett the
square. How many different ways the people
enjoyed themselves 1t would be diH1cult to say,
and preparations for days ahead are sure to be
made Tor It's enjoyment. 1t is, however, not to be
omitted from record OF the days eDjoyments that
this year crowds OF people betook themselves away
mp to
CENTRAL PARK.
Of course no leaves have yet come upon the trees,
and the Rambles bare; but the Park looked
lovely IN the sunshine and one could imagine that
glorious summer beauties. There was where
the quiet people strayed about thinking that
genuine holiday was day out OF the city. The
younger people, however, were not nOticeably
absent, and youthful couples might be seen walk.
lng about with their heads down aud slightly ach-
rymose. The lively and pleasant appearance
winch prevailed down town was to be noted also
little more Of he una IN the
ments OF the people, but that there was q holiday
ram6ie prevailing might be seen at once. In the
THE NATIONAL GUARD
made good Efforts to be up to the occasion. The
ally the rooms OF q and / companies--very hand
SOmely and mad brilliant ball in the evening, at
which everything was carried out In fine
style. AS has been said already the Sixth
regiment enter talned the veterans with flial re-
gard Tor the ancient heroes, and treated them so
well that the old mems minds grew very much dis
turbed at the thought OF ever leaving this land OF
gool things and OF parting with the gallant men,
regiment also h0nored the occasion with quite
display in the evening, entertaining their friends
very handsomely.
SOCIAL PARTIES,
not OF a formal character, were enjoyed in the
evening more generally, 1t Is said, than on any
previous celebration for many years. Many prom.
inent clubs added something or other to the Ordi-
nary club life out OF respect to the day. Several
organizations made an especial feasure OF the
celebration and gave entertainments OF an elabO-
rate character to their friends, an Of some
OF which Will be found below.
THE DAY AT THE BOULEVARD