The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-12-27
Cbristnus i'm Portland.

The Christmas of 1877 will long be remem-
bered in Portland as one of the most delightful
of days. The weather was cool but not uncom-
fortably SO, and the sun warm and bright all
day. Instead of there being the usual amount
of slAighing the streets were dry and hard, and
those who took carriages found fine driving.
The streets were crowded with people all day
and the Christmas trees were we'll attended.
The ice on the basin was in excellent cond-
ton and in the afternoon there must have
been Thousand persons there. The approach
was surrounded with carriages and the scene
was very enlivening.
The morning services at the churches were
well attended. The early service at st. Luke's
was very attractive. The Cathedral was beau
tifully trimmed with evergreen, the columns
supporting the nave decorated with emblems,
the front of the chancel adorned with Gothic
screen surmounted by cross, and decorated
with hundreds of candles, whose twinkling
lights contrasted prettily with the bright moon
light that streamed through the great rose-win-
drow in the rear. The super-altar was adorn-
ee with beautiful flowers
The decorations at St. Stephens, although
not extensive, were well carried out The
chancel arch, and the arches of the nave were
prettily festooned, and, in the rear of the chan
eel, Christmas trees were erected. Wreaths
were suspended from the gas brackets and the
font was decorated with Southern moss. The
rector, Rev. Asa Dalton, officated
At the Catholic Cathedral the altar was
ablaze with lights and bore the legend Gloria
in E1cezsis. On the east side of the altar was
representation lof the Manager and the Christ
child, with guardian angels lowering over it.
The shrine of the virgin was brilliant with light,
and bore the legend due Marie. Bishop Healey
was celebrant of mass, assisted by Fathers
Doherty and Ryan. Father Bsaugard was
deacon, and Father Bradley master of ceremon-
les. The music under the direction of Mr..
Jantz, the organst, was particularly fine. The
usual choir was augmented by chorus Of Sc
voices, and an orchestra Of five pieces led by
Mr.. Grimmer.
AtSt. Paul's the church was prettily trimmed
and Rev. Mr.. Sill officated.
AT the New Jerusalem church Rev. Mr..
Smythe preached from st. Luke XII, z: 'Be-
cause there was no place for thee in the inn."
AT st. Dominic's mass was said at five in the
morning by Father McKenner and at 1O.3 by
Father Finnegan. The Bishop oficated at the
evening service. The choir was under the d.
rection of James Watts, who is deserving of
special credit The music by the organist,
Miss Fanny Eagan, was very fine, and called
forth high praise.
The inmates of the Aims House and City
Hospital enjoyed very pleasant Christmas
Judging from an inmates letter upon the affair.
After hearty breakfast those who had friends
in the city were allowed to visit them. Others
went to the basin to skate. At noon poultry
dicner was served. While the male portion of
the inmates were enjoying themselves outside
Mrs. Merrill was visiting the sick and infrm
women and making them glad with toothsome
eatibles to suit their several conditions. The
children were not forgotten and many gar
ment was distributed among them.
The Chestnut Street Methodist Sabbath
School held Christmas festival at their church
in the evening. The exercises consisted of |
singing by the School, duets, recitations, &C.,
all of which passed off in a very creditable
manner. Two large Christmas trees loaded |
with some 400 gifts flanked the platform and
presented brilliant spectacle. Old and young
shared 10 the distribution, and many wers
pleasantly surprised, especially two gentlemen
who had aUeU experience at Duck Pond last |
summer. One of them can now catch his own |
fish.
The Christmas entertainment at Congress |
Hall, by the children of Perham Juvenile Tenn |
pie was largely attended and generally enjoyed |
An attractive programme of singing, dialogues /
and recitations was offered. The Christmas /
Tree was bountifallY laden with many beauti-
jul and valuable gifts. Every member of the |
Temple was presented with present, and Off /
,ers were especially remembered with valuable |
gifts. TWAS happy time for the little ones.
% mentioned the one held at Pine street church |
the first one held for ten years. The pastor,
Rev. Mr.. Clark, received a fine gold watch and |
Mrs. G. was the recipient of sewing machine.
fhe trees were loaded with good things and the L
'xarcisas hy the children proved very interest
ng. ---------f
The Warwicks drew good houses both after |
,oon and evening, and the fremen had an en- |
oyable time at their dance at Lancaster Hall. |
The fraternity dance at City Hall was crowded |
~ the best people in the city, and delightful |
evening was enjoyed.
There was very little drunkenness noticeable /
IN the street and the police made but sixteen /
arrests. An unusually small number of acct /
Tents occurred. A lad named Savory fell on /
'he basin and broke his left wrist. A man out |
morse too quick and the carriage was overturn-
Ind the occupants thrown into ditch, and /
we're but slightly injured. A lad named Fenly /
Tell on the basin and hurt his knee badly A /
nan named Patrick Harrigan was getting out
If boat at Union wharf when his foot slipped Il
Ind he fell backward into the boat, breaking
lis collar bone.
The Welsh residents of Ligonia celebrated /
With an old-fashioned Welsh festival, and last
ID all day and in the evening. Mr.. Richards
vas chairman. Among the features of the fes-
ival was some impromptu speaking. The
names of number Of young unmarried men
we're put in hat and then half dozen drawn
nut. The young men were brought in separate
y before the audience, and each was called up
IN to make speech on "The Merits of Good
Wife," subject chosen without any prepara-
ion. The one who made the best speech to get
| prize. Then there was singing of old Welsh
ongs, and lots of Welsh games, all competitive,
md prizes were offered for the best singing and
peaking One girl, named Becky Thomas.
,orn with only one arm, bore off the prize for
he best knit pair of stockings, in which the
was all woven, not stitched on af-
erwards.
Death of Joseph Harris.
Died in Durham, Mass, the Goth inst,