Morning journal and courier., 1888-12-25
VERY MERRY XMAS.

HOW It Will be Celebrated in This City-Many Good Dinners-Chrfstmas Trees the Churches -On the Streets.
 It seems as though Christmas was going to be celebrated in New Haven this year as it seldom has been before, and everyone meets nothing but happy faces and pleasant smiles wherever one happens to turn. At the pub- lie institutions the day will be appropriately observed.
 THE HAPPY ORPHANS. The children of the New Haven Orphan asylum will be treated to 8 fine turkey din- ner to-day and other delicaciss. Tomorrow they will have big Christmas tree and everyone will receive something. sEAKEN's BETHEL.
 A Christmas tree was the center of gay party at the Sesmen's Bethel last evening. Singing, recitations and refreshments were afterwards enjoyed.
 AT THE JAIL.
 The prisoners at the jail will be given day free from work and also taste chickens and other fine things.
 AT ST. FRANCIS CHURCH. At St. Francis orphan asylum mass will be attended early this morning and the "Ad- este Fidelis" sung. A Christmas table will then be attended. Vespers will be rendered in the afternoon and large Christmas tree will bring joy to the hearts of all the little ones in the evening.
 JOY AT THE ALMsHoUsE.
 The festivities at the almshouse commenced last night, when Dr. White gave stereopticon exhibition. This was followed by two act ,J ;, ( obo foIyo nv the female inmates of the institution. GOOD TIMES AE THE HOSPITAL.
 At the hospital last night bright Christi mas tree was under the direction of Mrs. Bar rett, Miss Du Bois and Miss Ida Beecher. To- day there will be fine dinner, and with few exceptions the 101 patients will be able to seat themselves at table.
 COAL.
 Agent Preston of the Organized Charities will make present of few half tons of coal to the deserving poor.
 CHURCH MUSIC TO-DAY.
 The church music for to-day in the several places of worship is exceptionally fine. In the Episcopal and Catholic churches there will be given, in connection with the other impressive services of Christmas day. special musical programmes.
 AT ST. PAUL's.
 For the morning service at St. Paul's full anthem service will be rendered. The choir will be assisted in this by MT. Ericsson Bush nell of New York city.
 AT TRINITY. A fine service will be carried out at Trinity under the direction of Organist w. H. Hed- | 1 | for the morning service.
 ASCENSION CHURCH. At the Church of the Ascension the morn ing service will be very elaborate. The boy choir will number forty voices.
 CHAPEL STREET CROWDED LAST NIGHT. Chapel street was crowded as it seldom is all day yesterday, and in the evening the streets were nearly impossible. The stores upon all the principle streets were crowded with purchasers. At Nicely & Co., .'s the sales were greatly in excess of last year. Between and o'clock the store was literally jsmmed. At F. NJ. Browns, Howe & Stetson's, McIu- tyre & Co.'s, Munson & Carpenters, Gen Ford's and other establishments big sales were also reported. It is merry Christmas to all.
 CROWDED TRAINS. Every train on the Consolidated road was heavily laden with people yesterday making their Christmas journey and nearly every passenger carried several bundles. The Christmas travel commenced to be noticea- bly, heavy Saturday afternoon, and all the express trains were delayed by reason of their load of human freight. Yesterday the capacity of the road was taxed to its utmost. \ The trains were not materially delayed, the | expresses being only a few minutes behind | their regular running time. All the mails | were unusually heavy, every mail pouch con- taining heavy packages.
 THE GUN CLUB. The New Haven Gun club will hold tour nament at their grounds to-day. The twelve events and all sweeps will be divided into four prizes. Blue rocks and the Keystone target will be used. Shooting will begin at 9 o'clock. I The club officers are: 0. E. Longden, presi dent; J. Fl. Gould, secretary and treasurer; directors, G. Saunders, L. Widman.
 AT ENGLISH HALL. A large Christmas tree gladdened the hearts | of the children of the Gospel Union Sunday ! school as they gathered in English Hall at o'clock yesterday afternoon. Packages of candy and cake were handed to each of the ! children with their presents and most hap py afternoon was enjoyed by the little ones.
 Fair Haven Jottfngs. The Rev. D. M. James of the Second Con- gregational church is spending few days with friends in Baltimore. He expects to be | back by next Sunday. The stores will be closed to-day except the | grocery stores, which will be open until 10 I o'clock in tbe morning. The postofice will l be closed as usual on holidays.
 CORAL WORKERS. Fairy Entertainment at College Street
 Church. The Coral Workers of the College street | church have prepared for their friends very unique and pleasing fairy entertainment, en- titled the Rainbow Prince" under the diree- tion of Miss Mary Weld. Mrs. Newton, in I the part of Grandma Gray, is surrounded by a group of merry children who are afterwards I transformed into fairies, and in their light | fairy costumes, illuminated by the eolors of | the rainbow, present 8 beautiful sight. Mr. Fred Lloyd will sustain the part of rain- I bow prince and Miss Florence Holmes that l of fairy godmother.
 The musical part of the programme will | consist of piano and violin solos by the Holt | children, Bessie Lewis and Maurice Minor. This entertainment will be given, to mor- I row, Wednesday evening.
 MISS HUNTS WILL.
 Hew sIOO,OOO is Distributed. BRIDGEPORT, Dec 24.-The will of the late I