New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-12-26
MARKED FEATURES OF THE DAY.

LARGE ATTENDANCE AT 1HE CHURCHEs-THE KEEN
AIR PREVENTS OUTDOOR sPoRTa-SCENEs AT
THE CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS
1t is doubtful whether there is another holt
day that is looked forward with many peasurable
anticipations both by Old and young as Christmas
There are holidays that celebrated by different ma
tiops for various reasons but Christmas ia day on
which all ChristendOm reoices in song and thanKsgV
ing To the old IL is day OF rest recreation ana sOcla
enjoyment Families thai have long been broken are
once again united and the joys and sorrows OF the past
and the hopes OF the future are dwe upon with mingled
foBdness and regret Friends OF bygOne wears and once
familiar spots are VISITED and pleasant memories are
revived On the other hand, the day, which has been
anxously awaited for weeks and months, has peculiar
charms and delights for the younger moBbers OF the
family. Everyone knows how ayaTeiously every dlme
has stored in the little banks. that some presents
may be bought for loved friends or relatives ana
what an OF mystery has brooded over the household
for days And who could number the bright and happy
faces OF those who, almost before the sun was up yes
terday morning found some Ongwishedfor trinket IN
capaci0us stOckingsf
The church chimes out merrily yesterday morn
ing upon the clear cold air. deying the biting WIND
to do its worst The day dawned bright and cold ana
he who ventured out in the early hours found
he had TO face nippng and eager air." Nor did
the fierce gusts sweeping about the corners anu
playing havoc with everything that loose during
the entire day. few feecy cloud were blown along
Of the snow for winch the bows have been longing
At an early hour persons began to ne seen III tGe
streets, hurrying to the churches in which early
masses were celebrated, ana laIer thrOngs were en-
entering the churches in which elaborate musical pro-
grammes were TO be rendered The interiors If most OF
churches gally decked out in evergreens ana
flowers pleasing TO the as the rich music was 10
the In MANY churches OrchestrdS and wellkuown
singers secured for the occasion gave an additional III
forest to exercises TIE theatres, many OF which
extra matnees given, well filed usual, by
the amusement and fun-lOying portion Of the COM
munlty.
During the entire day the city wore deserted appear
anee There little of the outdoor festivy that tine
street Arabs Indulge in because the excess
i've cold drove them under cover or caused them to
gather about fires To many boys, tHe order OF
the Commissioners torbidding skating at Central Park
was disappointment Special e1ertons were put
forth by the various charitable and benevolent
institutions Of the city make the day one to
be remembered with pleasure by the poor who
come under their charge. at the several
missions hospitals houses Of industry and boys
lodging houses. bounliu dinners were served AT many
places an open house was virtually Kept, and the
marvellous way which the tCOthsOme viands dlsap
peared surprised even those who thought they had
gagged a boys appetite. 10 many cAeerless homes
bright faces and willing hands To help make te
day happy one, by Kind encouraging words ana sup
stantlal aid.