The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-12-26
CHRISTM DAY.
A Hird's-Eye View by q Democrat
Reporter.
On tbs Street, in the Churches and
Elsewhere,

The people awakened yesterday morning
with vague aenee of some radical change u
atmospheric conditions, which gradually
reached entire defnIteress and finally re-
vealed dark and harry Christina colo, III
fact. but colder still hy contrast with the
Shiny, reeking. enervattng weather OF III"
day before Tine ordinary weather seer, un-
skilled III meteorological lore was pregnant
OF suggestions 40 - the days possibilities,
nut II o'clock n. IN. decided tho
exciting question. and cold. drlz-
zIIng rain set III to make the hearts of
children snd md send pedestrians IN search
of warmer places The churches claimed
first attention. and thither the pious hurried
10 give fitting homage on the anniversary 81
the birth of Christ. The stores especially do
voted To Christmas luxuricR and gifts were
omen hriuht and early oh Canal street. and
displayed their allnrameuta tna gradually
increasing array " promenaders till the III
natured,
cHUHbIsH pl12IEH
interviewed and changed the aspect There
were purchasea vet to- lie made by the mGfsF
fnmiligs which had been neglected Or forgot
ten In the confusion ~ tho previous dag & IN
vestments, and on calculation y was dtsenv-
erred that tho presents would not 20 around.
or m Invdlous discrtmin aton had h"nn eSnr
Cised to the disadvantages 0f the laat-h born.
which must he repaired or complete happi-
neea is ont Of the question,
These amnhle dNinEa were conducted amid
the toot OF thenhigniions horn aud tn report
of the fire rtankpr, which commenced opera
lions ut an carly hour aud wont down aCnree-
Nv with the midnight boil. ~ tha confusion
and chagrin Of the 81 'rly hach"ler
Canal street was not quite 80 picturesque
NJ a happier condition ~ weather utght have
allowed. ne iigutel rlad closely n winter A.
tire took the place of the brighton cs'lnrs ~
spring which previously had prevailed. The
domestic economy which called forth thr
anxious matrnn IN q pilgrimage f. the tay
shop, the fruit stand or the laWnlry store,
was speedily reduced to ak artnoes by thn
coming Of the rain. ami then the crowda pen
Captiblv diminished. thn hnr.lier mrmhcrs or
the geHaa homo mainly occupying tho ban
duettes.
At an early hour the ha,-otllc"s Of
THE VARIOUS FllFArREs
were beeieged nv groups chiefly cnmpoae Of
ladies and children hut aa tile tino waSctl to-
ward Ia o'clock THIS ttrfrrer ri \ appeared In
large numbers, When the mniineeR had cnn-
cluded tho atroet irs presented animated
scenes each person lowering Ia this direction
OF home with fond Visions of u lsRN Ian dtnuor.
AT THE CHURCHES.
Divine services opened in some Of tho Gath
Ollie churches ny midnight mass followed
later on by low mass, ANA All concluding with
grand high mass nj 10 ~. m. The altara
were iecked ~ tlnweIe and evergreens. and
In each church wns an Hrtlsti representation
OF the stable ~ NcthIehanI. whore the Rn-
deemer was born. Man, nf tins Catholic
churches, "a. for instance the Cathedral aud
the JeSuita held III mlSa ~ midnight. bat
opened the Chri4tmRa 10y thla aNryce nj u.
IN. All had full choiis, aud each mass was
largely attended,
III the Episcopal churches tho usual sab
bath services took place. hut NIL were hand
somely decorated. and many artistic devices
OF biblical suggestion were wrought I'LL Tow
ers and avergrNcns. The came may ha anid
Of the other denominationnl churches cello
hTatiug the day, amt IN each Instance scr
mon appropriate 60 tho anniversary was de-
iivered.
IN TEE ASILITMS
of the city religious services were held, and
the inmates treated "a glorlous dinner
which they rapturausly enjoyed. Many were
gladdened by presents from charitable pa
irons, and all were happy under the genial
influence OF Christmas.