The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-12-02
The Opening of Winter.

December opens with pretty sharp though
clcar weather, aud the city looks bright and
active. To the north and west of US snow
has already fallen and even SO far south as
Norfolk there was light snowstorm ON
Thursday night. The indications are that
wo shall get it hcrcabouts before many
days. and 1t will not be welcome, for snow is
a nuisance In n great city, though II is true
that 1t performs service IN cleaning the
streets, duty which the Street Cleaning
Bureau seems to lntrust chiefly to the forces
of nature
With the advent OF December the fashion
able world begins to prepare for its winters
round OF festivities and tho drcssmakcrs
and miliners. the caterers and flower sell
ers anticipate n prosperous trade. The first
great event Of the season will I've the ball to
be given at the Academy Of Music ON the
18th Of this month. under the auspices OF
the Society Of the Crescent and the Cross.
This society has undertaken tho humane
work Of raising money for the alienation Of
the suffcrings Of the sick and wounded Of
the Russian and Turkish armies. II rightly
proceeds on the principle that it is a. much
our duty to bind up the wounds OF MOham-
medan as Of u Christian, that III the cause Of
charity no distinctions can reasonably be
made between the conbatants vino are now
devastating Asia Minor and the Danubian
principalitlcs Indeed, the Turks more need
our aid than the Russians. for their military
medical service is lamentably deficient. and
their provisions for the care Of the sick and
wounded are entirely Inadequate TO their
wants. The Russians have, perhaps, no oc-
casion for boastng Of their medical organ
lzation. but 1t IL better than that Of Turkey,
and throughout Russia patriotic women are
banded together to furnish necessities for
their disabled cuuntrymcn in Asia and on the
Danube.
The Crescent and Cross ball will be an ex-
cecdingly elegant and what is called an
exclusively fashionable affair after the gen
eral style OF the Charity ball, which is one
Of the regular features Of the season Of
winter gayety. II has been projected by peo-
plc who will assure its success, and the
fund OF the society will be large gamer by
reason Of the eagcrness to obtain tickets.
At DELMoNlCOs several entertainments
have been already given. ana his ballroom
has been engaged for the usual assemblies
and other fashionable balls. Many people
who can afford the expense. find it less
troublesome and inconvenent 70 avail them
selves Of Mr.. DrLMoNIco's ample facilities
for large entertainments than to turn their
own houses upside down to receive their
friends. II Is probable that this practice
will steadily increase, for 1t has SENSE and
reason on Its side
The theatrical season has opened very
well. New York has genuine novelty and
object OF Interest in the talented Young
actress, Miss MARY ANDERSON. Though she
exhibits some OF the crudities inevitable In a
player who has not been long Oh the stage,
her presentations are remarkable for their
power and artistic perception. There is IN
her the promise OF brilliant histrionic
career. II is a pity that her ambition leads
her to undertake some parts which lack
great attractiveness, and that she thinks
It necessary in the interests of her art
to dshguIe her youthful beauty u make
herself up as Meg Mrriiies, that old bag
whom CHARLOTTE CUsHMAN, through her
genius, made satisfactory to playgoer-.
Perhaps II would have been Just as we'll
II with her the undermining character had
left the stage. Certainly 50 handsome
young woman rs Miss ANDERSON might
wisely refrain from rcvivins it, when there
are SO many other parts In which she can
shine, without transforming herself into
an ugly old woman leaning on crooked
stick.
On the 18th Miss FANNY DAVENPORT be-
gins star engagement in Sha,lce pcarcan
comedy ut Booths Theatre. This hand
some actress is very successful in modern
comedies which do not require any great
display of deep feeling, and her stage dress
Ing is always very elegant and becoming,
but she perhaps makes mistake in UNDER
taking the plays OF SHAKESPEARE. She j. am
bilious. however and doubtless wishes To- be
regarded as something else than II depcter
Of pert and snowy woman of modern 80
ciety, and the ambition IL honorable.
At Wnllack's False shame an udnira-
bly, acted play, Is near it, end. Mr.. SorHERN
Is amusing the public al the Park in llor-
nets Nest" At the Eagle Mis- LADlA
THOMPSON makes much lun in piN Palr"
and at the Union Square The Mothers So
cret." powerful play, Is proving success
ful. 1t Will thus TIE seen that there Is plenty
of amusement tOr those who ENJOY the thea.
tire.
In the way OF music we have Dr. LEOPOLD
DAMRosCH's symphony natintes. aud Mr.
THEODORE THOAAss symphony ruhearsals
and concerts. II j. rare that better music
has been heard in New York than that gwen
by these accomplished conductors. and it is
gratifying 10 know that tine fact Is Hppre-
eiated. aud their ciloit- properly rewarded.
The winter, therefore,. upcns pleasantly
md the better condition 81 business though
1t is still unsatisfactory. keeps the people
In pretty fair spirits.