New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-26
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS.


y Christmas was more generally observed yes
:. . terday in this city and its vicinity than it ha
. been for years. For two weeks the street,
= and shops have been crowded with thrOng
ia of purchasers, whose expenditures were mos
Il liberal. The results of this outlay were seer
: yesterday in the cOuntenances of children, ra-
II diant with smiles, and in the faces of theiI
: elders, which were more composed but equally
= satisfied. Owing TO the general prosperity.
Y benevolent persons were able to crafty their
{ kind feelings toward the poor more largely
G thln in the years just past. and charity was
, given with open hand. In the lodging houses,
hospitals, asylums and charitable institutions
bOunteOus dinners were served to the inmates
I and many gifts were distributed. Church ser.
vices were also well attended.
OBSERVANCE OF THE HOLIDAY
GENERAL FEATURES OF THE FE,rIvArl-scgNEs ~
THE MfSsIONS-THE HOsPIIALs AND PRISONS
VISITED
The Chris mas cheer that cast its genial influence
over the city yesterday trumDued completely over
the depressing tendencies OF damp, foggy weather
and incXpresslblY slushy streets. The rain and mud
were held Of little account by the thousands Of
secnlar-mnded persons who "a hcrcd az family re.
unions and Sqt dCwnat happy Christmas dinners;
walks, covered With halfmc,ted snow, and the
filthy crossing, were more serious matters. Ser.
vices were held as usual in the Episcopal and Roman
! Catholic churches. EycTvrceus and rare flowers
decorated the a!fafs and The musical parts Of the
services were beautiful. Contributions were gen.
/ erous
The distinctive features Of the day however,
were seen best bv home Grc sides The feelings Of
love and goodwill that recently have flied
the streets and avenues with eager thousands utcnt
on purchases for dear ores, cnimiuatcd yesorjay,
| and in almost every family j)you5 surprises made
/ tie day happy Fox days preceding Christ
/ mas the city has been Ike great b' '.iar. Tho
! shop windows cleaning with attractive wares
from all parts OF the World tie throngs that filed
tae centres ot trade, the mysterious bundles and
packages universally carried, all told a story thar
was to be interpreted on Christmas Day.
Yesterday the streets were comparative deserted.
The rush of trade aud the anX Gus scdrch for gifts
had ceased. But in thousands Of homes by day
break bare feet patcred eagerly the lo0rs AID
childish laughter and excIamaJicns If delight spoke
of stockings well filed by SANTA Claus. And sur
priscs awaited older children too at the breakfast
table and the happiness caused by unexpected gifts
nus' well have repaid the disconlor Ol hours spent
in crowded shops.
BOUNTY FLOWING THROUGH THE MISSIONS.
Much charity was dispensed by benevolent
wealthy persons, who in their own happiness were
still mindful of those who poor aud eau do little
to make themselves their children merry. The
Missions of the city were the channels through
which this bounty generally flowed. A Christmas
dinner provided by Mrs. John Jacob Astor tor
the inmates of the Girls LodgingHouse. No. 27 st.
arA's-plaCe About forty persons pIrlOOk of tho
turkey and Accomplishments, which served
at l o'clock In the evening there was a Christmas
tree which was handsomely decorated aud loaded
with useful presents. lhis was presented by Alder
man Charles II. Marshall After the distribution of
the presents games and danciug occupied the even
ing IN the course OF which ces aud cake served.
y Sunday school service was held at i u. m.. ie
the Wilson Mission. at No. 125 ST. Marks-place.
Addresscs were maGc by the Rev. Thomas j. May
ard the Superintendent, Henry Johnson Abont
$50 childcen present, each OF whom was pre-.
Sented with candy ana frut.
Ten or eleven hundied happy children poured
through the doors OF the Howard Mission, at No 30
NewB0wery. between the hoars of II and l, 20
partake of its hospitality. The youngest of these
were sent to the scboOl-room III the basement. and
the Older pupils occupied the chapc'. IGsrOOm was
trimmed with evergreen notices. be-
speaking a hearty welcome and 4 merry CHRISTMAS.
On the piatfO was huge Christmas tree.
liOm the branches Of which We're suspended bags of
candy and chains Of popcorn. At the
base of this were piled boxes containing more suo-
stantial presents. The exercises opened with
a prayer by Mr. ThompkDs the superintendent,
after which the children sang numDerot hymns.
There were some visitors present, 10 the happ-
ness TO which they had contributed. 1 he presents
were distributed at = O'clock each Of tn. cEildEen
a %
clothes. An excellent dinner was then serve I. In
the evening dinner was given 20 tneir parents.
The children who attend the Five Points Mission
SCHOOL, at No. ~ PIrk-St, were only comparatively
happy yesterday. Thanksgiving - the great day of
the year for them. Thea they are stuffed with Iur-
key aud mnce lie, While on Christmas tbey are
Ieted on confectionery ana frdit. Six hundfcd of
hem however, presented themselves AT the scnool
Yesterday, and they were each presented with bag
containing an apple. an orange. Il banana and some
nuts ra,ltS, popcorn ana cake.
The 400 children az the Five Points House Of
Industry at No. l3j Worries. enj,,,d an enter
alnment III he afternoon consisting Of music aud
ecltatIOns after which they were gwen "a Ginner.
}hrstmas at this institution continues Tor several
iays Friday the children oil received clOIhing;
yesterday they were dIned Monday they are 10
eceye bag of candy and tTJt; Tuesday, WHAT
yer remains from tbe feast ls 10 b, dl,i.inuted
mong those who are able to call for IT.
AT ST. Barnabass Home, at M. 800 Mulbcrry-st
here were communion services IN the morning.
he cha plain. the Rev. James II. Appleton preached.
n the afternoon the doors opened 10 the poor
f the neghborhood and nearly hundred hungry
len, women and children sat down ~ n turkey din-
er: tuesday the Sunday children will have
heir Christmas tree, aud Thursday the nurses and
nidren of the House will be entertained IN a SINH
lr manner
At the American Female Guardian Society and
Oine for the Fnendless, at No. 80 East Ihirticth-
:. more than 100 children pariicpatc IN tba
hustmas dinner, in the presence of a number of
itrons and visitors. On Chrstmas-eve a festival
as held IN the chapel. Two trees were loaded win
esents, which were distributed among the chill
At the House of Reception of the New-York Ju.
'nlle Asylum, AT NO. Ol West Ihlrteenth-st,, din
II was provided for over ninety boys under the
large of +. ID. Carpenter.
The festival at the House OF the Holy Fam.
7, at No. lo6 Second-ave consisted OF mass i'm the
apei at "a a.. at which the eightyiive young girl
mates OF the institution, the sisters and patrons
the society were present. and the presentation OF
eful and ornamental articles from a Handsomely
cOrated Christmas tree. In the afternoon lavish
Dner was served.
swsBoiS AND STREET WAITS MADE HAPPY.
At the East Side Boys Lodging House, at Henry
d Gouverneur-sts. $50 boys sat down yesterday
sernoon TO a bounteous dinner, which was provided
them by Major Phillip Schuyler After the din.
r there was nm entertainn,enf or-,pgoa h.,,h~