New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-11-30
GENERAL FEATURES OF TIE DAY.


prsAGRYrABLR WITHOUT. But FRIGHTENED BY
CHARITABLE GIFTS AND FAMILY REUNIONS
WITHIN DOORS.
Thanksgiving Day is essentially home les
tval in spirit aud family reunions need not depend ior
their success upon the elements II is most fortunate
that this is So for the face OF nature has rarely worn
more fordddng aspect than yesterday. during INC
early evening of Wednesday there seemed some shShV
nrospect that the next day would be fair but the clouds
grew thicker the night wore on and at about
three in the morning the rain began TO fall not win
cheerful vgor but IN slow, melancholy hopeless drlz
zle At no time during yesterday however was tno
rain n drenchng and there was H'ue uii'
entity I'm getting about the city in comparative comfort
Frorn sucb dreariuess without great relief to
turn 10 brightness within the house. aud even the eo
ouence of metropolitan preachers could allure only
small mart Of tho population to the churches Religious
services Yesterday were very general For the most
mart clergvmcn preached in their own pupts upon inc
sieplfcanco Of the anniversary and the causes Ior
peoples gratitude. There is not as much 10 attract
1,orsous Ia the churches on Thanksgiving Day rs on
Christmas the other holiday Of the year which includes
RELIGIONS observance as well as feastmg and johty for
the elaborate music, that IS such delightful and
characteristic feature Of Christmas seldom hndS q
prominent place in the services OF thanksgiving Day
At several the city CHURCHES, however those III az
tendance yesterday listened 10 dscourses OF unusual
interest
the occasion for the exercise OF kindness and the chay
which spring, from sympathy, NOT from conVehtohan'y.
The numerous institutions which exist for the slltuai
and temporal benefit OF The poor classes make every year
more earnest effort 20 render The day happy one 20
those upder their shelter. Yesterday there were
seryjces of social or religious character IN nearly
all ~ Them and q houuuful dinner male tie
afternoon short. The usual additions were maze
10 the prison bills Of fare, and Incarceration was thus
rendered rs comfortable possible In the beso"ai oil
private charity much was done yesterday TO make the
dov nm ENJOYABLE one In very many instances capital
supplied labor with turkey, and il is safe TO say 't Il
anyone in the city went hungry to bed il was because no
one with means 10 relieve destimtion knew that hs
assistance required
Thanksgiving Day is not festival when MAKES 'he
city externally gay There is especial reason Tor the
display Of flags and no watke memories ca lof process
sions aud military parades. The season Tor excursions
Is over and tine dinner hour nteriercs with prmoh'ues
and drives even when the weather is most taN"Ia-
be Yesterday the rain kept nearly every one
n. home whom dire necessity did not drive
hrood and tine CITY has never looked more deserted
Arrangements ha been IL FOR few outdoor enter
tainments such as Ie-matchcs at Croedmoor the ath
lec sports the ScOtiSA merican Club. and the fox
hunt on Long Island, and the storm was doubtless a
great dsappolutment to those who mad hoped to enjoy
them under clear sky. The theatres afford the most
popular diversion on Thanksgiving Day. At most Of
Them two performances gwen yesterday ana those
Who are ordinarily unable TO attend theatrical perform
ancos had opportunity TO witness the plays OF the
season.
OF the richer members Of the community doubtless
large majority remained yesterday at home with their
families The day is not one Cor parties aud RECEPTIONS
bur rather of reunions OF the family circle at home,
which the gloom without made all the brighter and
deayer.