New-York tribune., 1889-12-20
CHRLSTNAS PRESENTS FOR MEN.

If the people of this town had anything to say
about it, there would be less rain and mud for
Christmas shopping; but they haven't IL Is
doubtful if the streets Of New-lork were ever
much mudder than they have been for the last
few days; still. the female portion of the popula-
tion has shopped right along through 1t, with
zeal born of desire to provide the male portion
with slippers and penwpers, smoking-Jackets ana
dressing-goWns.
II is not probable that the average woman is
ever called on to indulge in any deeper or more
earnest thought than when trying to think OF
something new in the way of a Christmas present
for husband, brother or some other MEMBER oil
the sternor sex. We are assured that the list OF
suitable holiday presents for men is exceedingly
short. and though every woman makes resolu'e
struggle for something new each year, IL seems
to be n fact that she is usually Obliged 10 come
down to pair of slippers or smoklnS-lacket III
the end.
It. is said on good authority thai there Is
nonulor Young unmarried minister of thriving
cbrrcb in this city who now has siXty-two pairs
81 sinners and fifteen dressing-gowns the ac-
cumulatons of a nine-year pastorate' an average
Of six and eight-ninths pairs of slippers and one
oud ,vo.thirds dressing-gowns for each year. The
cvnrcssion on the face of the good man as he
susvevs slippers saacSad up about MS oed-
,oom like niles of bark outside OF a tannery' Is
said TO be unutterably painful But lew men arc
caIIcd on 10 digest, as it were. as many snppeIS
80 +bis. still most men are well provided win the
harmless necessary slipper. II the man "noSe
christmas is to be made glad SMOKES as nleh
sometimes will, he may DC gwen q"
r,aorschaum pipe, or clSu-hoi' Vi
como sort of smoking-set, IL Ilueeu
no is not already as well provided WIN uhese
as others are with slippers. The iadN VINO iS
soolinc to GLADDEN. his Christmas may e'eh' II 'iio
lnou, his favorite brand go so far as 10 HiNc "i'
= hoy of cigars, though this Is NehluiihS VI,
| delicate ground. Men have permanently hnJui'O
| tber health before now in smokihS' from 'on'e
of dutv the cigars selected by thelr
| hrt thoughtless wives But some Hcn Wv no'
| smoke. and some women refuse 10 eiiooui"Se S'o
9-S kohit in others who do, which cuts oil
n"' ,,or % suitable presents in many cases.
TIe thrifty dealers in holiday goods come 10 the
~ this season with long lists of presents
,as ~ mon ranging from the pocket postage-stamp
- 20 n bicycle or roll-top desk. Yet these
49,, thouoh inviting, are frequently unsatisiy-
; We believe that it is often fact II we
| 80. no allowed to express an opinion. that rather
90, much efeminacy is allowed To creep into
| ,he seIcction of present for many men man
| is giyen a volume OF Keats in an edition du luxe
who would better appreciate a double-barrelled
shotgun, or an etching Of Milton debating " Para
! disc Lost" when he was hoping for good bird
dog Mention was made in these columns some
time ago of a wedding in Kansas, where among
other presents of practical nature. was included
n good shorthorn COW, a souvenir from the bride
mother. Now it is doubtless fact that the COW
brought more pleasure TO the young couple thar
an oil painting of a Summer Afternoon IN the