The New York herald., 1879-01-02
IN BROOKLYN.

IN BROOkLYN.
The day was duly observed the City of Churches.
The absurd custom Of discharging firearms at mid
night, to fire the Old Year out and the New Year
in INDUCED in to q most annoying extent. dis
turbing the rest of more sensible mortals and vio
lating the city ordinance. The streets We're made
lively the entire day and till a late hour
at night by men. young and old. in car
riages and foot. going from house to
house among their acquaintances. The curtains
drawn up in thousands of happy domicies
Bountfu tables spread for the entertainment of
the hurried New Year guests. Intoxicating liquors
are fast disappearing from the Brooklyn New Year
tables, and milder stimulants are replacing
on the streets. and but few arrests were
reported by tho police. At the City Hail. Mayor
Howell Comptroller Steinmetz, Auditor zimmerman
and other officials at the Mayors office from
eleven A. M. till p. NJ where they were visited
by several hundred citizens with whom they shook
hands and exchanged cordial greetings There were
matinees at the Brooklyn Park Theatre. the Academy
of Music and other places OF amusement and In the
evening well attended performances were also given.
Prospect Park and Captoline skating grounds were
well patronized.
MIR. BEEcHERs CALLS.
The callers upon the Plymouth pastor numbered
close upon thirteen hundred which, considering the
ing. may be regarded very large. 1t is almost two
hundred below the average OF recent years. The in
vitation to ladies, which was given for the first time
by Mr.. Beecher from the pulpit on Sunday, was ac-
cepted by fifteen of the gentler sex. These were
ladies' from the country principally, who, having
other opportunity of paying their respects to the dis
tinguished preacher availed themselves of that
of yesterday. The gentlemen who came to wish
Mr. Beecher "a happy New Year and many OF
them represented nearly all the social conditions Of
life, and included every age, from childhood to the
totterng old Many of these total strangers
to the Plymouth pastor and who until yesterday had
had no other acq uaintance with him than listening
occasionally to one of his public addresses Now and
then forgotten incident in his busy life is recalled
by the visitor and of these occurred i'll the pres
ence OF HERALD reporter yesterday.
Enter the paror gentleman with President
Hayes kind Of look and gushing, earnest manner.
Mr. Beecher receives him at the door with dignity
and frankness and while their hands are casped the
gentleman says
"Mr.. Beecher wish you very happy New Year.
sir, and many of them
Mr. Beecher bows and smiles.
"You don't remembrr me, sir" says visitor. "a
bow OF assent.) 81 crossed with you on board the
steamer when you came from England"
Mr. BEECHER-That is good many years ago.
that will probably call me to your mind. In the
saloon gave you some flberts and you said that if
we should meet again and would introduce myself
as Mr. Filberts that you would remember me.
Mr. BEEcHER-Mr Flberts, remember the ilberts
very we'll, but had forgotten you.
VIsIToR-Yes, We have much changed in appearance
since then.
Mr.. BEEcHER-Mr Filberts is, suppose. as the
atrical people say, your stage name Pray what is
your proper name. sir d?
VIsIToR-Plummer, sir; Plummer.
Mr.. BEECHER-Mr Pummer, you must allow me
Mr.. Beecher introduces Mr.. Plummer to Mrs.
Beecher ana the ladies' IN the adjoining parlor, and
says, in introducing him, This is Mr. Plummer,
ladies, hut call HIM Flberts," and leaving him
tell the story turns to shake hands with the other
callers who. during the ilbert story, have accumu
lated in the hallway and the parlor.
From eleven O'Clock to six there was q continuous
succession OF hand.shakers. 1t was borne, however
with Christian forttude, and when the outer doors
OF the house on Columbia Heights were closed on
the snow storm last night and the last visitor
thanked for his call, Mr.. Beecher seemed in splendid
physical condition, ready to enjoy his supper and
the quiet evening at home.
IN NEW JERSEY.
Out Of the one hundred and twenty odd thousand
composing the population of Newark less than half
q dozen persons celebrated New Years Day in the
police cells. There good deal Of tipsiness OBJ
servabe the streets, but not nearly much in
preceding celebrations. On the whole, the order pre-
served was creditsble Business, except in the
saloons restaurants livery stables and theatres Was
generally suspended. Five thousand persons enjoyed
themselves skating on the Bloomfield pond.