The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-01-02
Another Year Turned on the
Hinges Of Time.
ACCOUNTS OPENED ON PAGE 1878
New York's Merry Acceptance Of
the Change.
RECEPTIONS AND REClPROCITIES.
Good Cheer, Good Wishes and Fresh
Start for Everybody.

The new year has been ushered In and installed
with the customary rites and obscrvances Tho
midnight chimes announced the birth Of 1878; tho
infant was welcomed by the Juvenile and emotional
denizens OF New York with blare of nshhorns and
discharge OF firearms, lasting fully an nour The
enthusiasts then retired to tho arms OF Morpheus
and Silence held her sway. save whore tho songs
of those celebrating the advent OF tho new year not
wisely, but we'll, rang out on the crisp. frosty
air. ne sun IN the morning shone from cloudless
sky. aud New Years Day had come again. Never
the old Knickcrbockers established the custom
OF calling upon their neghbors In Amster-
dam was tnere more propitious weather
The air dry ana just cold enough
to mako exhiarating a walk In tho streets, which
tho winds Of the two previous days had rendered
clean a barn floor. However, there were not
presumably SO many calls made as In former years.
Whether this was duo to dislike Of the annual GUS
tom, growing out OF its notorious abuses, or to the
depression in business, which has made economy
necessary in every household, It Is certain that many
who formerly kept open house contcnted themselves
with suspending outside their doors basket for the
reception OF their friends cards. On Murray Hill this
outward sign of "Don't ring the bell. please" was
encountered quite frequently by the passers by, and
in other parts of the city it met with occasionally
in the side streets Tho plethoric condition Of the
previous evenings local mail bags indicated that
many prudent paterfamilias and quiet-Ioving
bachelors had determined to content themselves with
sending good wishes writing to their lady friends
in lieu Of making personal visits On the east side
| of town and in the quarters Of the middle class
there was moro general observance OF the calling
custom, and the sunny sides Of the avenues were well
| filled with young men in their holiday attire IN
duging in laughter and repartee they made their
way in parties Of four or i've, from house 10 house.
| These generally we'll behaved though some-
times rather NOISY There q noticeable absence OF
the registering, dsordery bands that In former
made the streets dsagreeabe by day and night hide
Gus with their drunken songs Indeed, there seemed
to DO but little intoxicating liquor consumed In tho
city during the day. although the side doors of the
saloons all open 10 those whose faces were
known TO the barkeepera There were very fow
drunken in the streets, even at night, and there
was general atmosphere far moro suggestive of
Sunday than a rollicking New YEARS. Day.
FOR CALLERS.
Most OF the callers of the staid Glass; who set out
early to visit their friends, walked with the air OF
men engaged in solemn duty to society, which they
determined to fulfil at any cost AS The day
on, however, constant slipping of wine from house 10
house had the effect OF Frightening them up little,
and not few who had in tho most impressive
ner "sworn on'' tho preceding night went to bed
10 think OF thor heads this morning. Tho oxhorta-
tons Of preachers and temperance orators year after
year are, however, having noticeable effect; and
there many bountifui table which, for the first
time such occasion, bore glass Of anything
which would ntoxicatc The falling OH the
number Of callers and the charming weather
which induced many to VISIT their friends
on foot, made matters much duler than
usual Tor tho proprietors OF livery stables,
who usually reap harvest on Now Years Day. Hacks
were hired for much lower prices than heretofore.
drawback to comfortable pcdestranism some
thoroughiares found in tho thousands OF mounds
of earth and corresponding holes with which the
streets have been dotted by the energetic engineers
| constructing the rapid transit roads but the
| people clambored walked around these
thought of the benefit TO result therefrom. and went
| on their way content.
Nearly oil the theatres gave matinee performances,
| which were we'll attended, whole families going to-
gether, little onos and all, and there wis.,
to Central Park than any day the winter
season commenced. Altogether the day spent in
very pleasant, If more subdued, manner than usual
1t has been remarked that the practice of giving pres
onts at New Years is rapidly falling into disusc,
most persons now making their friends happy by that
means on Christmas instead. This act ana the com
parative apathy referred to- would seem to indicate
that the day and its customs generally are declining
In public favor; and this, despite few undcniably
bad features is TO be regretted. The laying aside Of
all worldly matters tor the day and ndulgng mutual
| handsnakings and good wishes exerts a benclcent
influence upon the community, and the "Happy
| New Year, and hearty clasp OF the hand extended
to the struggling youth or tho embarrassed and
downcast of business has often struck tender
chord that continued to vbrate all the year and
caused him to regard his fellow with kindlicr
feelings throughout his life. The decadence OF the
custom Of receiving calls extended TO tho public
officials IL has always been customary Tor the County
Clerk and the sheriff Of the county TO Welcome hei
friends and constituents at tho City Hail, where a
liberal supply OF refreshments was provided Yos-
terday the doors wero LOGGED and the officials were
| not present
Ex.GovERyoR riLDgS's RECEPTION
Many prominent gentlemen called at tho palatia
residence OF Ex-Governor Tidcn, In Gramercy square
to pay their respects Tho Governor hau not int nded
to formally receive, the reception being given by
ladies OF his household, bat tho numerous inquiries
for him induced him to make his appearance ana par
tlcipatc the New Years Fluctuations. For all who
called he had smile and kindly word of welcome.
The Governor appeared In excellent health and
spirits and went through tho continued process OF
Handwriting without evncing fatigue. Among the
disting uishcd republicans who called to pay their
respects william Cullen Bryant who received
by Mr.. Tildcn with much cordially.
| SHADES NIGHT
When the day had merged into a clear. starlight:
night tho city seemed to awaken to greater activity,
and the streets crowded. particularly OIL the
east side OF town All the theatres filed,
and the various halls were occupied with balls and
other entertainments, which were we'll attended. AT
most private houses tho young people engaged in
dancing, and the fash!o nable stay OF two minutes
was heightened to admit of tho gentlemen taking a
turn In the waltz before proceeding .heir way Of
course young Smith, as usual became dizzy from
making too many calls, ana late In the evening found
great difficulty In making his words understood,
although he was positively bubbng over with love of
everybody and everything: and WHOM AT hi fortieth