New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-01-02
oBsERvANCES IN THIS CITY.

FINE DAY FOR GRTrING ADoUT-FRwER CALLERS
THAN IN PREVIOUS YKARs-BRILIIANT SCENES
WHERE THE sI.EIGHING WAS FINE.
An unclouded sky floods of sunlight and crisp.
bracing atmosphere made the first day of the new
year meteoroogically perfect. Out OF con-
sideratiou, doubtless for the unhappy NOR
tails who felt obliged to brave the
weather in broadcloth and low cut waistcoats.
the intensity of the cold wave abated with the close
of the old year. There was sufficient chiness left
" the air. however to suggest to the prophetic
mind OF the physician an outcome of pneumonia
and bronchial troubles among the thinly clad callers
who rushed alternately throughout the day from
heated rooms to the cold streets. Put in
view of the experiences of Thursday there
was disposition toward general thanksgiving
that what might have been was not.
From midnight. when the new year was ushered in
with the Changing of bells the shrieking oil whistles,
the sputter of fireworks and the sharp discharge OF
guns until sunrise, the weather seemed to moderate,
90 that prospective callers on getting up found
reasonably comfortable temperature; and the morn
ing salutatiops of Happy New Year" were un-
marred by the prospect of day of suffering.
The day was very generally observed throughout
the city, Stores and Offices closed, an
unwonted quiet reigned DOWNTOWN. The roar OF
incessant traffic had ceased. 1t was possible to
cross Broadway without lingering in suspense on
the curbstone and then boiling under horses noses
in peril Of ones life The busiest streets were cOm-
parstively deserted save by occasional groups OF
idlers and policemen. The centre of animation had
been shifted. and double tide of life was poured
into the uptown streets and avenues. AT the
hour yesterday when the men who cause the activ-
ity in the lower part Of the city usually come down
town. many q one was posing before his glass ar
ranging the folds of an immaculate tie, aud strug-
Cling to think of something more original to utter
than the ordinary compliments of the season. The
long lists of calls had been carefully made out, and
were contemplated with weary sigh. Those who
possessed private equipages felt calm in
ward sense of satisfaction and superiority.
Others less fortunate combined their
forces and secured carriages or sleghs
which were filed with jolly crowds, while those
with whom motives of economy had weight trudged
manfully from house to house on foot. The side
walks, az a rule, were in good condition, and the
snow was so hard that it was possible TO pass even
the crossings dryshod.
Fortunately the weather was not warm enough to
melt the snow, which had become so firmly packed
that the sIeighing was excellent. A New-Years
Day with good sleighing in New-York is enough OF
q novelty to be thoroughly appreciated, and accord
ipgly everyone who could control pair OF
runners put them into use. The spectacle offered
lin Fifth aud MadisOn-aves. and the interesting
lstreets WAS exceedingly brilliant and animated.
Among the black. like carriages seighs darted
TO and fro, of every size and from, from light
cutters and Russian turnOuts to comfortable three
peated family conveyances Fiery horses. stmu-
dated by the cold clear air, whired the seighs rap
idly over the creaking snow, while the foam flew
from the bits, and the mOuntings OF the rich har-
nesses sparked in the sun. Long red plumes waved
from the dashboards of the sleighs uttered from
tho harnesses, while the glossy black and white of
the robes enyelopng the drivers added to the pic
turesqae features of the scene.
The number Of callers. although not nearly as
large as in past years. was still great. They dot
ted the sidewalks or bowled gayly along in sleighs
and hacks They rushed wildly up and down brown
stone steps, tugged at door bells in frantic haste.
md heaved signs of gratlfed relief when the sig
nifcant basket was discovered outside.
SPECIMEN CALLS.
The sight Of these baskets likewise brought joy
20 the Prov ling street boy. BY him they were re-
sgardcd az fair game.
Lets get some cards. suggested o RAGGED little
fellow pausing before Cyrus w. Fields house III
Gramercy Park.
"An right
! The two then crept cautiously up the steps,
plunged their red, Rrimy hands into the dainty
basket, and scampersd off around the corner with
varied collection Of cards whose trusting owners
had fancied that their discharge OF q social duty
would be recognized and appreciated.
At another house. evidently closed. several street
Arabs had made mp their mind to pay a call. They
were armed with greasy cards, setting forth the
morits Of various cheap restaurants aud liquor shops
Marching solemnly up the steps. they deposited
xheir valuable trophies In the basket. Just then
policeman came into sight. The pretence Of dignity
Was suddenly laid ASIDE and the callers" ncoDti-
psntiy TOOK to their heels. The policeman
being port!y -. and nd. Of - an apop,lsotic
ourdhng threats after them as they rapidly In
ureased their distance. When they reached n safe
corner one Of them turned. He spplied his thumb
20 his noee, extended hls fingers and made mys-
MipdmilI shich appeared greatly 10 increase the
The rsgastion call. as made yesterday, could
be Described In Q few words: After
tns osss T's rns S"s minute sSs
hat to servant and IN being announced; two MN
utes in exchange Of compliments; three minutes in
vleasapt dalliance with rcfresnments fwhere there
IN esght minutes. II statistics OF New YEARS. calls
could be prepared. melancholy interest would at
4aoh to the number OF times each hostess hears
acty the expressions an well a. 20 the amount
81 DOgrishnens taken oy man with . large ealing
ton sbowe the extraordinary bowers 81 endurance
ooeasionally manifested by the human body, Oh
aAts yoses tbs lnyigoratinG DouloD has come into
Hskine Che reasonable allowances Of halt gill Of
bonlou 70 call, end the further hberl estInste OF
eigbty calls IN the day. u viii be seen that tho
caller. st the conclusion Of bis rounds staggen
nSasrneath shs ve.gks q I've quarts Of sou,lion.
Uisiics Messenger boya delivered D large number
81 eard3 Yesterday Belonging 20 men VINO had not
1znbitsesI, energy OF desirs enough 70 make Gala
e.xTRAsr wrrh ExicKEgBoCKEk DAYS.
The brilliant receptIons in elegant draw