New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-12-01
HOLIDAY OF GRATITUDE.

GIVING RECREATION FOR The SICK AND I'M
PRIsoSED.
THANKSGIVING Day is fast becoming the
reat national festival, and has already divided the
honOrs of popular observance with Christmas. New
Years Day and Fourth of Juy have their special cee
brations which vary according to local custom aud ira
dltion but Thanksgiving ana ChstmasthOse twin gala
davs OF Massachusetts, aud Virgna-haye grown IN gen
era favor since the old colonial times THANKSGIVING
however may justly be called the real redetler uay
of the calendar, it is becoming each year more
time for family reunions and pleasant SOCIAL gather
ings Yesterday the sky wore somber and forbiddlns
aspect the clouds threatened snow, and the WIND
Ynoaned uouiIIy about roOftree but these signs
of outward gloom only added to the enjoyment OF the
warmth and comfort OF the cheerful fresde, and
prompted one to give thanks for those common blessings
which arc usually dismissed without notice
The churches yesterday morning were thronged with
people who seemed to enjoy walk or drive in the
bracing wntry air and the sermons were such as one
would expect at this timenOt Outbursts or praise ana
Thanksgiving alone, but containing many illusions TO the
grave duties and responsibilities OF the hour grotesque
feature the day the presence of large numbers OF
children in tic streets who evidently believed Win
Foaehsons that "moteys the only wear" at least tne
mythical Forest Of Arden such strange sights
as did streets Of upper NewHork yesterday
PROFESSIONS Of fantasticaly dressed children moved up
all the avenues, their tatterod garments flying in inc
breeze and vile squeakng Of their tin horns coming
mn from the quiet streets. The engrosSing topics
of conversation other days OF this week
were wholly put aside yesterday Alter readlns
their morning papers people seemed to put away thaI
speeer OF the political situation which has been pres
ent in their sleeping and waking thoughts since election
day. For one short day the condition OF the Palmetto
State was not buctiued every hour and the budozed
parishes of Louisiana consigned TO temporary
oblivion Instead Of the usual staples of conversation,
were the queries of where, when, and how the FauuO
turkey 70 be eaten.
Is f1aora1 IN
ton because II is essentially home holiday and all its
pleasures cluster about the family fIeside For this
reason the appeals of the poor always meet Win
generous response The children OF the public are cared
for at this i'll which makes them leel IhaV
their foser-mother is not wholly careless and unknd
The waits and strays Of this great cts gathered
and supported by many noble charities, which
laborng quietly during the year, select TINS festival
season the occasion 1or showing Ihe rus "s tncn
rejoicing, when dun routine gives way 70 unfcsIcSu
pleasure Yetit not only TO these but also to tue
many other charities for the blind the halt the lame
and FOR the criminals whom for this one DAY ne
that this day brings relief, enjoyment ana nope
AT THE HOSPITALS, AsYLUMS AND PRISONS.
The inmates of Bellevue Hospital were cheeed yester
day by boundful dinner, the. feature Of which was
turkey and cranberry large number OF VISITORS
were admitted to the Institution and nearly al Drought
gifts Those patients who were able be ont of their
beds were permitted to indulge in such social pleasures
as suited them.
Al Charity Hospital on Blackgers Island Dr. Daniel
H. Kitchen Chief of the Medical STAFF supeIntended tue
arrangements for enjoyment The commissioners had
provided 1900 pounds OF turkey. 200 pounds OF
pork 2COO apples and a barrel Of -four, and
these ingredients al consumed at the
grand Thanksgiving dinner DR.. Kitchen also Aad Tour
crates OF canberes cooked and the sauce was served
with the turkey. Charity Hospital had been thoroughly
renovated and painted aud yesterday every portion pre-
scented attractive appearance The training schooI TOT
nurses started two years ago in this institution
has exceeded the highest expectations Of its founders
There are now "a ladies connected with this school, 10
Of whom viii be graduated IN July next This VIII leave
IA as head nurses form nucleus Of the next class
The neat cheerful appearance OF everything IN this hos
pita is mainly attributed the work OF these ladies' ana
DR. Kitchen hopes TO extend this work to tie other de-
partments under his care.
At the Penitentiary Warden Fox prepared fine turkey
dinner for the prisoners. He used lao pounds OF
turkey pounds OF pork. and barrels OF onions ana
all the inmates Of the institution served with an
abundant rcpast.
At the Lunatc Asylum. Dr. r. l. Parsons took especial
care yesterday make the occasion enjoyable one
for those under his charge. He used 900 pounds OF
turkey barrel of pork, barrels OF apples and bar
rel of hour After the inmates of the asylum had eaten
hearty dinner they invited to grand ball in the
amusement hall. There dancing was kept w until DARK
At the Work and the other institutions on Black
wells Island the care was taken TO provide a
Thanksgiving dinner for all the inmates. President
care thar an enjoyed real holiday
On RandaIIs Island dinners Of turkey and ,ho usual
aeeompanInents were provided for $50 persons in the
idiot Asylum 275 in the Infants Hospital and 200 at
the Nursery AT the Homeopathic Hospital, the Inebr
ate Asylum, Soldiers Home, and Luuatic Asylum an
abundant dinner served 10 the inmates and gen
eral holiday observed.
Tonbs at the prisoners were provided with
an abundant dinner by tho Commissioners OF Charities
aud Correction. There was a very liberal supply OF
poultry and other food and the inmates Of tie prison.
although they might missed the sOcabes OF the
table appeared to enjoy the occasion. All were fur
nished with more than enough Among the officers OF
the prison there was the usual round Of duty. There
were religious exercises.
Within The walls OF Ludlow Street Jail, both officers
ana inmates appeared TO Dc in unusually good spirits To
the prisoners throughout the establishment the Warden
gave an appropriate dinner. Dir, Tweed passed very
0uiet day and had no visitors but his son, William NJ
Tweed jr and Sheriff Conner. An officer OF the prison
staed that he appeared cheerful and perhaps improved
In health. Among the inmates Of this prison the man
who Judging from the number Of his visitors, has the
most friends is Dr." Flint Upon him yesterday there
called a large number of acquaintance, and ho wore all
day smiling cOuntenancc.
AMONG THE CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
At the Five Points House Of Industry there were the
ordinary Thanksgiving exercises The feature Of
the day the chldrens festival The House supports
constantly nearly 800 children besides giving temporary
assistance and instruction TO many others. Yesterday
there werencarly 400 children In its chapel from very lit
tic ones wondering what meant to children OF ID or
Ia who took intelligent interest IN the proceedings
The Youngest children were Withdrawn early to their
Thanksgiving dinner The elder remained, taking
apparently keen interest in the exercises, which
sisted mainly Of music until they marched 20 their
great OF the year. The music somewhat com
pcated in its character for children but given very