The New York herald., 1877-11-29
A Day on Which the Nation Speaks
It's Gratitude.
NEW YORK'S OBSERVANCE.
The Modest Turkey AttainS 10 Un-
expected Popularity.
E'EN POVERTY IS FORGOT.
Feast Of Reason and Flow Of Soul in Every
Home and Prison House.

Turkey In Europe and turkey In America suggest
very different feelings this Thanksgiving Day. the one
ronjurug up picture OF war; misery and desoation'
and the other OF smiling peace and Joy, OF happy
homes and festive meetings The day comes al the
right time OF the year. breaking the dull Interval be-
tween the lapse of the gay and the advent OF
the Christmas merry making 1t Is the great holiday
of the nation, enjoyed alike by rich and poor;
md who so poor not 70 be able 10
lay his hands at least the wing oi
Inc universal turkey: Christmas comes, as the song
rays but once year, and when II comes II brings
rood cheer but then IL Is accompanied with vast
show OF pomp and display and only the favored ones
OF the land afford to welcome II In the ancient
fashion by costly gifts and sumptuous fare and ciabo
rate decora tons Not with dear old Thanksgiving
Day the most democratic OF all holidays, which ialls
us the gentle dew from heaven, upon the PLAIN
beneath Tor the c0mfort aud Joy Of saint
and sinner alike, and is corrugated past,
present and future tense In the term turkey. The
turkey on the family mahogany will tell moro eio-'
quentIy than words the meaning OF Than nksgvina
bay. In the shanty on the rocks OF Mackrelvlie as
we'll a, in the brown stone palace Filth avenue,
The turkey-symbol OF plenty and joy-will con-
stitute the great sacrifcal offering OF free ana
happy people. How eagerly did housewives
spend Thanksgiving Eve among the markets,
small and large, hunting for the choicest
turkeys, and what lively sight the markets them-
selves presented II interesting too, TO see the
hurrying mutitudes that fed the city, homeward
bound. for the Thanksgiving rcpast Who among
Ihem, especially OF New England birth, would miss
.hat supreme event OF the yoarY The trains were
crowded ana turkey was the uppcrmost thought IN
every passenger's mind. Throughout the city there
was ample evidence in the tnronged grocery, liquor
and butcher stores that welcome festival was at
hand.
WHAT WILL BE DONE.
The programme OF the various ceremonies and ies'
ivities will mark the day appeared in yesterdays
HERALD Services will be held In different churches,
ana promineut feature will be the benevolent atten
tion extended The poor and homeless, the friend
less and unhappy ones In the community. The IN
oil the pubic institutions will DO made glad with
Improved cheer. The little children will clap their
hands with JOY at the good things provided for them
In the homes that private charity has raised
Tor the comfort and benefit OF the miserable
and iorsaken. The disabled soldiers aud the WIDOWS
ana ospuans OF those fell the will be made
forget their daily by the Kind provision made
through society oi patriotic and lender hearted
ladies. The theatres, variety shows and concert
rooms will be ready with the most attractive p-i-
forInauces they can command. The chimes oil frr.ty
VIII ring out joyousy IN the carly no.-.AA and
.Gory God Most High'' VIII be sne syffepr1ate
initial melody Various athletic clubs Will repair 10
suitable places IN the VICINITY OF the city and
enjoy themselves in the brac,ng November air. The
Rivngton street lodging house and schools at No 325
md 81 Rvinyton street, will give Thanksgiving eL-
Bcriainmept in the evening. In connection with the
usual Thanksgiving dinner tor the boys domiciled
there. Dir. George Calder the superintendent, who ~
very hBppy at getting up these entertainments,
viii DO assisted by number oi ladies' and gen
tlcmcn who Will take part In the proceed
ings. Several OF tho boys will also recite and
slug for their and their friends amusement.
At tho Eleventh street Boys Lodging House oil the
thidrens AID Society, No. 100 East eleventh street.
Thanksgiving festival and dinner will be given Tor
the benefit OF the boys. Mrs +. Brown, the worthy
matrou OF Tho home, is still anxious 10 receive con-
lributions for tho dinner, either IN money or prov
Bions and Will be glad TO nave her hands strength
ened even to-day These festivals are looked forward
by boys with great anticipation as they marx
red letter day In their humble calendar.
Al No. Duane street, In the Newsboys Lodging
House, charge OF Mr.. Charles O'Connor, there Will
BE- various exercises and every means will be afforded
10 make the day happy ono for tho boys such as
they viii be apt to remember IN the years to come.
Among Hebrew fellow citizens the day VIII not TAIL
10 be adequately observed. Grand Instrumental music
will be the temples OF the reformed lsraelltes,
and especially at Temple Emanu-el on Fifth avenue.
In Or. HeubsGh's temple, on Lexington avenue. the
cohgrc cgational choir will participate. Tho orthodox
congregations, VINO do not admit instrumental music.
have the good example OF joining IN the services,
and this will be notably ustraed in the instance OF
Rev. II. Z. Mendes congregation on West Nineteenth
street, who have those of the synagogue on West
Forty fourth street to JOINT services.
The aunu ual grand high mass Tor the Catholic Union
will ~ celebrated at ST. AIMS Church. Twelfth street.
hai-past nine this morning. The address will be
delivered by the Rev. L. II. Dcaly
Indeed. the holiday Will be generally observed and
every should .'nnd timen TO be happy. Children
who attend the public schools are rejoicing at half
weeks holiday, by order of the Boaid OF Education
the schools will not be opened until MONDAY.
BUYING THE TURKEY.
Yesterday Washington Market In Its wholesale and
retail departments presented OF confusion and
nirt, which would be dsgrsce TO town like Dead