New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-12-27

There is inst now what writers who wish to be
fine would call an epidemic" of cOnflagrations.
Reports of fires reach from all parts OF the coun-
try. When the "devOurng element which Is
another approved phrase. destroys city, the
accounts are long and impressive, and the statement
OF damages in figures startling vet the aggregate
of loss by isolated fires during the last few DAYS Is
very large, footing IN not large number OF cases
taken collectively not less than 100000. Causes
in many of these cases are not given, but there IL
one cause carelessness, which for want OF better
may be safely assigned. Now and then mention Is
made of "a defective fine" which is carelessness
in the concrete. IL would be very easy to
preach about prudence and caution. Dut the
best warning Is to be found In the
facts. The present hard weather naturally
leads to the employment of higher temperature ID
warming bindings of all kinds which require to be
warmed and the result is greater danger and more
frequent burnings. Very few houses yet anything
like careful inspection at the beginningof Winter,
so that hues which are defective remain so, and
heating apparatus which is dangerous is not made
safe, as it might easily DO at small expense.
There are men of such prudence that their houses
are not likely to take fire from any fault OF their
own but they are not many. The world will go on
trusting to good luck until the final cOnbagratlon
but protest against such intatuation will not be
in vain If here there t shall home or life.
Although Christmas Day has passed. there are still
opportunities for udicious alms-giviug and the in
teligent relief Of the poor. The severity of
the weather mast have occasiOned great deal of
suffering: and whether the current prices of fuel be
high OF low makes little difference to those who
have no money at all. There was good deal of
begging in t.. streets on Wednesday, and many
appeals were made which IL was unpleasant to re-
fuse aud hardly iudicous to respond to favorably
But those who suffer most keenly shrink from pub
lie appeals. and prefer to risk health, or life even,
rather than sink to the dreaded level of mendi-
cancy. II is hard that at this happy season
there should he cold or hunger in any home how
ever humblc all the charitable societies feel this
and are doubtless working according to the means
at their disposal but after the stimulus OF Christ
mas associations has passed away. the poor will
still be with us. and the demand for relief still be
urgent Now is an excellent time for gifts of money
To those societies about whose stewardship there
can be no observation-disclosures gives in this way
makes general Christmas present to all the poor
of Now-York. II we can do good personally so
much the better: if we cannot or will not, the good
ought TO be done by some accredited deputy.
Since the discussion about the Sunday opening of
the Centennial Exhibition, nothing respecting
First-day observance has occurred in Philadelphia
more notable than the Free Dress Rehearsal" last
Sabbath at Fox's Theatre. in that city. No money
was taken at thu door, and consequently the
house was crowded. The regular performance was
given. the police contenting themselves with so
much protest as contained in an order TO ex-
tinguish the lights in front of the theatre There
was law enough. however, TO stop the business, If
anybody had been 50 minded; and if there should
be repetition of the experiment no doubt it will
be stopped. Here in New-York. some of the minor
theatres come very near to a weekly violation of
the Sunday law; and might be shut up, if anybody
cared 10 move in the matter.