New-York tribune., 1881-12-26
CHRISTMAS ON SUNDAY.

CHARMING DAY FOR THE FEsTIvAL-oHURCHra
BEAUTIFULLY TRIMMED AND FULL OF PEOPLE
SOME OF THE SERMONS
An old song says that Christmas comes but once
year." 1t would be almost safe to say however
that sdeh Christmas as New-York enjoyed yester-
day comes only once in lifetime. The rose on
coudless sky, and it ushered in an Indian summer
day. The air was delicious, and the cold snap" on
Saturday night had dried the pavements. please
some persons Christmas must be accompanied by
snow, sleigh-bels and skating parties The out
ward forms of winter they deem as indispensable to
the day as the mythical visit of Santa Claus
or huge roast turkey at the cheerful family
dinner. But there are few who, remembering
distinctly the slushy streets of last Christ
mas, the dull leaden skies and fitful squalls
OF snow on the feast day in 1879, and the biting
cold the year before would be inclined to regret tho
absence of Winter yesterday,
The fact that Christmas fell on Sunday gave
qnieter air to the city yesterday than it wears on
most festival days. There was less fast driving on
the bouevards and the iquor-stores not filled.
The theatres closed for the first time in eleven
years on Christmas and there were no crowds hurry
Ing to them in the afternoon and evening. 1t was
in 1870 that Christmas last fell on Sunday. A.
Oakley Hall was then Mayor of the city and tho
FrancO-German was undecided. The workmen
from the opposite ends of the Mont Gents Tunnel
were just within hearing distance of each other.
In New-York the day was cold and bitter, while at
Richmond, Va, the Spottsford Hotel was burned,
and several persons lost their lives because
the fire-engines were frozen. THE TNB-
UNE of the following day commented on
the fact that poor people were all abba
to enjoy cd dinner because provisions were not
30 exorbitanty high as the year before. 1t quotes
as matter of congratuatiOn the price of turkeyaS
which was from 20 to 20 cents a pound; quail
sold at So 80 dozen.
1t would be too liberal to say that nearly every
went to church yesterday, but more went thanis
usual, even feast days. On Christmas few persons
at all religiously inclined stay at home; while
those who Indifferent in regard to purely relg-
ious matters are attracted to places of worship by
the prospect of hearing fine music, and Of seeing
beautifully decorated altars and possibly hand
some women well dressed. The streets filled
in the morning with church-goers and in the after
noon with ali kinds of persons taking advantage Of
the delightful day for a walk drive. In Gen.
trail Park there unusually large number Of
carriages seen for Sunday and the walks
crowded with pedestrians
There very few target companies out, most of
them having reluctantly postponed their festivities
until to-day. The merry little bands of bows from SIX
to fourteen years of age who go begging through tho
streets. were rarely Their tin-hOrns and masks,
however, will probably appear in great numbers
to-day. The continued prosperity of the country
has rendered it possible tor the poorest abOrer
to provide some kind of feast for his family.
While for those whom misfortune has rendered
able to work. the kindness of charitable New-YOrk
will take shape to-day at mission hOuses news
boys homes and public institutions
On Thanksgiving the Tecentness of President
Gsrtied's death plainly cast gloom over everyone,
and yesterday revived memories of his life, his work
and his death among thousands. But time and the
consoling thought OF the position in history which
the way in which his family has been cared
for, have greatly sOftened the grief of those who
not his personal friends There expressions
however Of bitter disgust at the spectacle presented
at Washington when the miserable assassin wished
a boreaved people "a happy Christmas
In Brooklyn, the attendance at the Episcopal and
Roman Catholic Churches was exceptionally large.
rhe bright sky and clear atmosphere tempted many
persons out of doors, and in the afternoon Prospect
Park and Reservoir Hill had many visitors. Tho
Ocean Parkway and the Sackett Street BOue evaTd
were gay with bright equipages. and even on the
sands of Coney Island many persons drove at low
tide.
Oh istmas was observed in quiet way on Staten
Island. The special services In all the churches
were generally largely attended. Beng Hospital
Sunday, liberal contributions were made. The doc
orations were elaborate and the music fine.