The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-12-25

DECEMBER rs. 1877.
Child, "The Baby's Stocking" by Mary
Snead, and between them came "Song of
the Brook by May and Mamie ElIyson.
Ill these little four. year-olds did their part
admirably, and were warmly encored.
''The SIeigh-Ride and Chorus" was one
OF the merriest things that we ever heard.
BY an ingenious device, the snow came
down upon the gay party, and they, gather
ing it up, rained down the snow-balls on the
audience below. The closing piece was
spoken by Master Howard Jones, and well
did be present the difficult "Legend OF st.
Nicholas" :.
The exercises closed by the appearance of
Santa Claus, applauded to the echo, who
dispensed the gifts which hung upon the
trees. Everything was admirably conceived
and as handsomely executed from the be-
ginning to the end, and it will be long be-
fore we shall enjoy happier evening than
this introduction to Christmas under the
auspices OF this Sunday school. The closing
OF the infant-c!ass exercises was the signal
for a sumptuous entertainment OF the
whole school in the basement under the di-
rection Of Fl. K. Ellyson, the superinten-
dent, and the lady managers.
LEIGH-sTREET BAPTIST.
The annual meeting OF the Leigh-Street
Baptist Sunday-school occurs to-day, when
the election Of officers will take place, speak
ing and singing INDUCED in, and the schol-
ars treated to "goodies" appropriate to the
season. Superintendent Turpin will pre-
side.
We take this occasion to notice the very
handsome and tasty manner in which the
school-room has been fitted up. The paint
ing, executed by Montgomery, is much
admired for its neatness and excellent ap-
pearance; while the benches, made by Glib
son, are all that could be desired.
On Sunday last the officers, teachers, and
scholars numbered $50 persons.
SERVICES TODAY.
Divine service will be held in the Epsco-
pal churches 1sgenerally at II NJ. At st.
Marks The hour for service has been fixed
at 1880 4. VI.
At the Catholic churches the usual masses
and other services will be held.
THE BOYS AND THE NOISE AND OTHER
JoYs.-Christmas in Richmond was inaug-
urated some hours in advance Of schedule
time by the soul-soothing notes of tin-horns
and nerye-composing bursts OF fire-crack-
ers. The demand for the former instr,l-
ments could hardly be supplied by the
storekeepers. II they had but known that
Il number OF crusty old bachelors would
write notes 10 the newspapers attacking the
vested rights Of the boys and pleading for
their own tender tympanums they would
have had or hand larger supplies OF horns.
Well, they knew that the youthful mind
would find no delight in horn-blowing un-
less it annoyed somebody. With the first
complaints from the old bachelors sales be-
gan in earnest. Several hundred tin
ners who had about struck off work
for the Christmas holidays were sent back
to their benches, and were able, by dill
gence, to produce by II O'Clock last night
enough horns to keep the Juvenile popua-
ton from being absolutely wretched to-day.
The explosion of tire-crackers on Broad
street last night reminded many battle
SCARED veteran Of his war experience.
Afar off-Way up III ScreamerSyille, per-
haps-Would be heard the sound OF one
solitary cracker, as if picket had discerned
the advancing enemy and fired off bis gun
and retreated. Then would follow the
irregular firing of the skirmishers, then the
volleys OF the lines of battle as they closed
up to each other, and now and then the
deep-mouthed utterances Of baby
waker," representing the discharges of the
artillery. The boys had a jolly time Of it..
Tt was good enough war for them. It may
not have been fun for all grown people, but
good. .natured people not too far past the
meridian OF life remembered that they were
themselves boys once, unless it happened
that they were girls, which made a great
difference.
The boys will have to have their fun out !;
but one day ought to suffice them. Ger
tainly those who are responsible for the
musical" demonstration cannot COM
plain. II they are so unwise as to do so,
let them take care that no boys are about.
Failing to do so, they will have serenade
such as tLey will long remember. Last
night the police made some arrests Of horn
blowers. Light fines were imposed upon
the uniortunates. We shall see to-day what
good that course has accomplished
The ladies OF the families residing at the
Exchange Hotel have provided for the chill
dren Of the house an elegant Christmas-tree,
upon the branches of which are fixed a
great variety OF pretty presents. All the
young folks have been remembered, and
when they visit the parlor this morning
VIII unu tHeiI JuVeuile EeaitS DcallHS WIFI
delight and. gratification.
The proprietor OF the Exchange will
spread to-day a most sumptuous dinner for
his patrons and invited friends. The ST..
james Will do likewise. Thanks to each
for an invitation. q.
The tiremen were all on the alert last
night, momentarily expecting that their SER
vices would be needed. Hitherto we have
passed the Christmas ordeal Of fire crackers
and sky-rockets with small loss in the de-
struction Of property, and the watchful-
ness OF the Fire Department. on this occasion,
it is hoped, will be productive Of the same
desirable result.
The proprietors of the James River
Brewery, Messrs. D. &. YuengIing e. Co.,
every year send us kes of beer OF their
best brewing. The article is one of the
best and safest OF Christmas exbilarators.
rSo the friends called in to give their verdict
sav.1 Lager beer" and "Christmas
cheer" rhyme well. II there is an absence
OF "musical rythm and surge sublime" in
these columns let it not be supposed that
Yuengling's liquid is at all deficient; but
rather let it be attributed to the true cause
reportorial abstinence.
CHRISTMAS AMUSEMENTS.-TheT Texas Jack
combination commenced an engagement 1T
the Theatre last night, playing Thrice Mar
r;od and SCOUTS of the Plains-both sDir-