National Republican., 1877-12-24
Christmas Gifts.

This. day closes the season of purchases
for Christmas, and many a head and
purse will retire tonight greatly relieved
on this important subject. If it were our
province to educate our readers on the mat
ter of their purchases for smallyand great, as
all will no doubt have stockings pendant
this night for the reception of gifts of all
sorts, we would say by way of suggestion,
study utility, beauty, adaptation, secresy,
surprises, and last, though not the least
consideration-cost. The stores are groan-
ing under their holiday stocks of useful,
beautiful, and appropriate articles, which
ere displayed in tempting profusion the
streets are full Of gay promenaders, who are
bound to see what is to be seen, and pur-
chase what they can, though they may not
be able 10 encompass the full imeas-
urc Of their desires, for to tell the
simple, candid truth, while the
spirit and desire are strong-In most cases
The purse is weak. The charms and en-
joyments of Christmas season are greatly
abridged by the financial policy of the
Government Just now, III more or less of
tie Departments the payday has not been
set 30 as to respond gratefully to the wishes
and necessities of purchasers Without
any apparent regard for SANTA CLAUS or
his traditional custom Of loading up for
Christmas eve, payment to many of the
employees of the Government has been
postponed until period when the old man,
clad in fur with his coveted treasures, will
have passed by for whole year. This is
too bad, tor 1t will bring q lean Christmas
10 many home, and leave goods
upon the shelves of many on
sxpectant and anxious merchant
This is another feature of gov
snmental policy with which we are not in
sympathy. In view of this state of affairs
purchases must be suspended or made with
painful care and parsimony. Much of the
Joy of Christmas will be foregone for the
want Of money due on debts owed by the
Government to Its servants, and which
heretofore has been forthcoming at this
special period to swell the happiness of the
occasion. But times are hard, and the ex'
ecutors Of the Government are doing little
10 soften them, and the dear people mus
squeeze through as they best can.
But to return to our suggestion about
purchases under the prevailing system o.
domestic freemasonry-the articles most
needed are those which will be most appre
ciated. Gloves, caps handkerchiefs and
collars are always in order and accepta.
BILE to the recipients Of Christ
mas gifts. Then there are jewelry sets
laces rings, Opera-glasses, writing materials
stationery, pocketbooks, all of which are re.
gardcti rs utilities. Books are always legal
tender and there are plenty of them of ex-
celient character Even your pastor woult
not look askance at you If he should find {
set of encyclopedia crowded as far as they
would go into his stocking. A book well
selected is q treasure. The giyer is long re
membered. But vapd literature should b,
kept from children, for 'just as the twig il
bent, the tree is inclined" 1t is as iniuri.
Gus to the mind rs impure and pernicioui
candy is to the human constitution.
In conclusion, we would say to those who
give Christmas offerings seek to make then
valuable by their utility and healthlulnes
10 either mind or body, as they may be ap
piled.