The New York herald., 1877-12-26
CHRISTMAS DAY.
How the "Glad TidingS Were
Heard Once More.
AND so THE SEASONS PASS.
Crowded Sanctuaries and
Rapturous Music.
A JUNE SUN IN DECEMBER.
CHEEKY Homes and Laughing
Little Folks.
THE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
~
Good Wishes and Good Dinners
All Around.
Crowded Sanctuaries and
Rapturous Music.
A JUNE SUN IN DECEMBER.
CHEEKY Homes and Laughing
Little Folks.
THE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
Good Wishes and Good Dinners
All Around.


ing with 1t all the recollecons and associations Of the
past. celebrated yesterday with great soemnity
in the churches OF this city and vicinity. IL s not
often that Christmas Day makes its appearance
without being heralded by fall OF snow and sharp
frosts; but this year II was ushcred In bright
sprng-liko morning, with slight coating of white
frost on the ground which entirely passed away boz
tore the warm rays OF the MONDAY sum- Christmas
without snow appeared to bo almost an imposs.bty
10 the mind Of the New Yorker and yesterday morn
Ing, at tho nrst peep of dawn. when the little
crcpt Of their cots in their bare feet to pay tho
accustomed visit to tho stockings hung up the night
before Tor Santa Claus consideration, they would
have believed tnat Christmas had really arrived
u they had not found the gifts which served to
mark the day in their juvenile calendar. There was
another curious feature yoar will be
bercd by the children for years come, those
that were fortunate enough to tho respected Santa
Claus making his morning rounds distinctly state that
ho wore brown bearskin ulster and there not a
particle OF snow to be seen about him.
Christmas, although holiday, is not day to lie In
bed, especially If there - family Of children in
the mouse, the youngsters with the lark and
soon commence Christmas carol on ponny horns tin
whistles and jewsharps that fal to shake out
all the sleep from the veriest suggurd There
excuse yesterday to remain bed, when you threw
your windows open in tho morning the clear sharp
mir and cleaning appeared to invite out
Joy The most unreasonable OF days known for years
this climate. II Rip Van winkle had awoke yoster-
day morning, alter sleep OF many years, he would have
concluded that the month April with q rather
accountable covering late hoar on the ground
The inviting appearance Of tho weather appeared to
Tell on the people, as about ton the morning the
sidewalks were crowded with pedestrians vending
their way to the various churches
The streets were filed again with people shortly
after twelve when the churches emptiedof their
congregations. Central Park presented curious con-
trast compared with tho soene last Christmas when
tho bells rang the frosty the gayy coored
slcghs dashed over tho crisp white snow, and tho
lakes-onc enormous sheet OF ce-wcre crowded
with skaters Of both sexes gliding about and cut7ng
on. all kinds OF inexpiicable figures Indeed, yesteT
day there nothing about the Park TO indicate
season Of the year. Just before dusk thore q
rushing TO and fro In the people hurried
home from the theatres TO get ready tho Christ
mas dinner, to many the most important ceremony
OF the day. There was not perhaps. quite the dis
play this season IN many homes whore a few years
money lavished on such occasion as II
they always expected plenty Yet again there were
many homes where bread lacking TO qaell
the pangs Of hunger. There was doubtless great
deal oil suffering to be found in many quarters.
The inmates Of the public institutions enjoyed thcir
bountfui repast, embracing tho traditional turkey,
plum pudding and mnce pic There many lam
lily reunions where relatives met who had not met In
twelve months. The old people looked smiiingly
nt tho bright and happy faces Of the young and their
thoughts wandered back TO years oy, whom thoy
themselves were In the spring Of lie and everything
woro a rose-colored hue. Many Of those however.
that strangers In the city, with their homes in
foreign countries out Of easy reach Of tho city,
passed their Christmas night at the theatre others
with large families Of little children went of to tho
Christmas pantomime and kept awake all night BY
private rehearsal the part tho children Of every
thing thcy had seon the stage.
The attendance tho theatres during both matinee
and evening not large as that which usually
celebrates Christmas performances. Tho exceptions.
II such they may be Called were the Broadway, the
Park, tho Grand Opera and the Eagle At the latter
tho audience, which included many children, were
enthusiastic over tho pantomime and transformation
scenes The broadway, the Fifth Avenue Booths, the
Park, Union square, the san Francisco's Waliack's
every place of amusement, In fact spread iu table
Of pleasure, but there were few IN attendance and
lever still to enjoy the evenings dessert Everybody
seemed to be making. ''Merre Christmas" at home.
The streets became very livoiy the hanas OF the
clock approached midnight. and when Christmas Day
had passed good many the streets convinced
that the Excise law not stringcnty enforced
80 prevent every rocking roysterer from enjoying
hts cup OF comfort in quiet way in pubic saloon.
IN THE ToMBs.
Tho gloomy corridors OF tho Tombs were bright and
shoeriu aud Tor the time being the unhappy inmates
almost forgot their misiortunes in tho general
pr cssions OF cheer and goodwill heard every hand
The sun shining in through the grated apertures
lighted up the cells and dspelled by its warmth the
moisture OF the whitcwashcd walls The inmates were
av nEa fhan al and fnr laur fhp oh
cry OF "Morry Christmas!' echoed from cell to CELL
Tho keepers kindly overlooked the stringent rules OF
everyday life, and the prisoners gladly avaicd
themselves OF the privilege. Az baifpast ton O'Clock
tue cell doors opened and the prisoners
permitted TO range themselves In convenient posi-
lions TO hear the sermon by the Rev. NJ.
Bctka anu 70 listen to the singing OF dozen young
ndics VINO had volunteered Tor the occasion. ihe
remarks OF tho reverend gentleman wero listened 10
respectfully by the motley audience Almost every
crime IN the calendar was represented IN tho ranks
The buriy burglar and the tmic sneak thie tho muir
the stolen goods, the iorger and
ten pickpocke tue cmbezzcr and tho dog fighter, the
bgamist and the confidence swndler, all were present
There wcro mon among them who u year ago, before
their real characters were known TO others than
themselves were honored and respected. Prominent
representatives OF this class noticeable in the
Gently convicted insurance officials. They stood on
tho same level as the most desperate OF crminals
Tho same moral truths spoken by tho preacher were
NIKE applicable TO them and their degraded compan-
idns The singing was Inspiring, and even when the
IN the chorus tie effect not altogether unharmo
NOUS "Hod the Fors,n "Heaven Is My Home, and
many other popular hymns were sung. The services
lasted until nearly twolve O'Clock Al tho CONCLUSION
the prisoners were sent back 10 their cells.
All was hurry and hustle in the prison kitchen.
Warden Quinn had given orders that the Christmas
dinner should consist Of turkey and chicken stew,
with plenty OF vegetables and he had particularly in
Btructod tue cooks 10 see that the food was well
cooked Extra COOKS were employed amt Deputy
Warden Finley personally suporiutendcd their work.
Three large boilers were used Tor making the stew
lhc ingredients were 300 pounds OF chicken, 400
pounds Of turkey, one barrel Of potatoes loo pounds
Of Gour 100 pounos Of pork, with onions and Spices
The steam emerging IRON the mammoth
sayory and nlled tho prison yard. AT half-past
twelve O'Clock there arrived from Jefferson Market
Court a van full of prisoners.
I'VE have been waiting for you boys" exclaimed
one o the keepers as he opened the let them
out Ono exceedingly secdy looking prisoner, whose
attenuated form aud sunken cheeks told oil many u
day Of fasting, shifted the air as he alghtcd from the