The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-01-02
THE CITY IN A MELLOW MOOD.
Pledges to Bacchus and Services in
the Churches.
CALLS AND COLLATIONS.
Revival Of Old Customs and Good
Wishes Everywhere.


than yesterday The new year was ushered in with
raw, cold morning which predicted day Of discom-
fort for tho thousands OF gentlemen who gazed anx-
iousy from their easements TO learn whether or not
the social pilgrimage they TO make 10 be pen
icutia or jubllnnt in its character NO less anxious
were the thousands OF maids and matrons VINO
to ''receive' tho gentlemen aforesaid, and who
early astr and bcdeckcd in gala attire But few
churches held services, excepting those OF the Epsco-
pal and Roman Catholic persraslons The former
held services O'Clock. to permit the wor-
shippers perform the social rites Of the day and IN
the Catholic Church, being holiday, the Feast OF the
Circumcision was observed. Masses were celebrated
at intervals from five O'Clock in the morning until
nnc and in few instances high MACS was celebrated
ut hnlf-past ten.
BY eleven O'Clock the young ladies had put tho
finishing touches upon their toilets and taken their
places in tho parlor, John was stationed at the hall
door ND the nultessy attired young gentlemen
girded themselves for their convival rounds. The
snowfall of last week had not quite disappeared from
The streets and tempted large proportion OF the
callers drive about in sleghs. Those vehicles were
in such great demand that the livery stable propre
Tors charged fabulous prices Tor every thing upon run
nors their establishment contained and renped cnor
nous profits II rather dsconcerting to the
gleghing parties TO turn out OF the avenue along
which they had been lying behind last team TO the
tune OF a chime of bells and suddenly find themselves
scraping painfully over the bare cobble stones oil some
sido street. where the householders had removed the
snow. Notwithstanding these little drawbacks
the sleghers seemed to enjoy themselves Immensely,
and the streets rang with their merry laughter
and chatter mingled with tho jingling OF the
bells While the was plentiful enough to accom-
modate runners by judicous management, II was not
sufficient to prevent wheels from making good time,
hart rnpr In
the streets yesterday than any similar occasion Tor
many years. After tho came up the ice and snow
upon tho sidewalks melted into sush ana made sad
havoc with the we'll BACKED boots of pedestrian
callers who forced either to trrdgc through It
scattering their clothing and spelling their good
temper, or by taking tho shady side OF the street,
where the ice was intact, run the risk OF measuring
themselves upon the treacnerous surface
whether it was owing to the cessation of effort
tho part OF the temperance iracrnes or the apathy
of preachers on Sunday last, there the usual
quantity of and stronger beverages upon almost
every table and few young men took their first
glass from the hands of smiling hostess. Toward
evening a few OF them seen pcrnmbulating the
streets in n manner suggestive OF too much socably.
PLEASANTLY MISSING.
While the number OF callers was probably much
hrgcr Than usual it was noticeable that there were
lever parties or gangs" Of "strikcrs" or ward poi-
iciaus visible the thoroughiares These used to
form one Of the dsagrecabe features OF the day
when the city under tho political regime whose
characteristics almost eliminated from local
Institutions Going about from the house OF one Office
holder TO another supposed TO have been assisted
power by their votes these gentry used to disgrace
the city by their rowy behavior and after the free
rorgng of the day had been completed used to make
night hidcous with their low songs and quarresome
oaths Many Of the newly elected officers did not re-
ccvc any callers yesterday and tho class referred TO
was obliged most part, to preserve "satc Of
bcastly sobricy.
The Younger element OF society had u most enjoyable
time during day, for the snowclad streets Afforded
CAPITAL opportunity tor slcrhlng. and there was excel
lent skating at Central Park, whittier thousands, old
as well as young, made their way TO spend an hour
upon the surface look at the frolcs of the
merry throng.
AS the shades of night began to fall the sky, which
had been overcast during tho afternoon gave unmis-
taxable evidences OF coming storm, and soon alter
ward began IA light neccy fall Of snow Pedestrian
callers who had come in the morning without UNI
bre las or ovcrshoes FASTENED their steps homeward and
reserved large portion OF their intended visits until
next year Others seeing that further calling would
be attended with serious discomfort made themselves
comfortable where they happened To be and prolonged
n rroposcd stay three minutes into one OF as many
hours In this way the storm perhaps increased the
measure o. some while 1t marrcd that OF many more.
IL Is not TO be supposed that calling was altogether
ended by the storm, Tor not few enthusiastic gentle
men continued to fill from house 10 house anu those
wpo went IN slcighs hailed The feccy la with pleasure
and Their attending bells were heard TIL nearly MD
night. - -
The new year was ushcrcd ~ among the Germans
Yesterday Ia the cminenty social manner common L.
our Ieutontc popuatlOn tesia occasions. Wnle III
the American quarters most OF the saloons anu p'.c
OF public closed. 1t was not difficult TIC pro
cure the wonted lager IN districts east OF ne Bowcry
aud Thru avenue, or along those thoroughfnrts them
selves Dropping at any one o the lager b'cl
gardens Yesterday offered opportunities Tor the stuy
of type OF social life Ia winch Murray Hili fashion
pb.s have very littc experience. seated about ihc
tanlcs proups OF men ana women. honest Germans
md their families qunned the amber beverage ant
rosily convcrscd OF peasant things. Now and then
bottle OF the vintage Of the Rhine ala duly
MS festive tpplc. Further up town, ON tho oordct'
OF fashionable ME, our German residents
have 10 some extent adopted tho custom o
giving New Years receptions, and young Ieutons
IN their best might DO obs -rvcd Jaunty puilnS th'
he'll az the residence OF some favored lair one. Bu
vour true ,;ermnn beau prefers to settle down quiet
Tor an afternoon talk, either III saloon or parlor
rather than perform a series OF Journeys, taxing
social glass at the termination of each
FRENCH FESTIVITIES
Saving that clarct ordlnare took the place OF lagc
beer and Johannisbcrg, The French observance OF tn
dnv partook strIkingy of the easy German cohvlVnly
sItnough with more flexible temperament ana i"cl
ity Tor adaptation not shared by the ncru'hhs, w
fn,,gre from sunny Franco or nongrel Alshce lal'
into American habits more readily ihah ~.
other ca.s OF our foreign population I'D
uresent holiday season, however, ns well will
iorrrners as native Americans, has been conspicuous
IN tho sparng OF holiday decorations ana unosten
tatious i'm the manner OF celebration Along ~ W
afternoon yesterday, when the storm came down, VA
streets IN the lower portion OF inc Guy were ainof
deserted save by occasional stroller who nd take
a class TOO many anu was oblyiuns TO the crivin
snow.
on Tug OCEAN STEAMSHIPS
There was no celebration OF New Years Day on ~
ocean steamships now lying In tins port beyond Va
ordinary visits that are made 10 tne oIcers
mo steamers are here. Indeed, there are cohp'r'
lively few OF the foreign steamships now herc man
sh., are due being detained by contrary winds an
oIn,rs having been withdrawn OWING 10 Tue very sh"
smoout of ocean travel at this season Az The Ahcnt
Ino MGR where thu 90 four steamers usually ~
.inra ~, now but two one Of them being 6asgo
and Inc other Mediterranean steamer. me Adria,'
of The White star line; the Greece ana England, o VI
~.,,on.l Iuc. the CITY Of New York, OF tic lnmn
ins. Tho sueyia OF the hamburg hue, ana on" OF wv
a,hers comprise tho entire fleet OF ocean STEAMSHIP
80 M the piers on all OF which matters were eve
,nnrc o,,ict Than on Sunday, and with the cAcep.o