Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-25
CHRISTMAS IS HERE.
ALL RICHMOND TO ENTER HEARTILY
INTOTHe DAYS CELEBRATION.
Kris Kringle's Trip Over the CITY Last
Nisht-Nolss and Good Feeling
Feasts and Presents.
Christmas morning J

Christmas morning
What worlds OF meaning these two
words express. and how numberless the
reco,lections they call forth
The tottering baby. with his well-filled
socket, cooling with pleasure over the
munifcent store left him by the wonder
full "Tsnta Taus." whose name he can
not even call plainly.
The child, Just beginning TO consider
and doubt the ways OF the patron saint,
and wondering how a chair hobby horse
or wagon eighteen inches wide can get
down an eight-inch chimney.
The youth who has advanced beyond
the striking" period. and looks on in
dignifed contempt at the faith evinced
by the little ones, but who spends
months salary cheerfully in sending a
keepsake TO some ones sister.
The father who in his child sees him
self over again, and is happy III his
pleasure.
The grandfather who, having nearly
crossed the allotted span, lives only TO
make happy those around him.
To one and all of these Christmas
morning has its joys equa!led by none
other in the world.
RIcHMoSD's BROADWAY.
The crowd on Broad street last night
was largely in excess of that of any pre-
vious Christmas-eve. From First to
Ninth (south side) was one dense mass OF
humanity. Large numbers of the men
and bows seemed to be under the inhu-
ence of the weather, not of the kind we
have had here but evidently OF what is
TO come tomorrow. Tin horns, from
tho automatic, which works by means OF
compressed air and does not have TO he
blown, upto the old canal-boat "tooter,
we're abroad. Even a few of the girls
we're "in it," but in each instance they
I lesseIed the seriousness of their miscon'
duct 10y having a neat little bow tied on
the horn. Watchmans rattles and bells
we're also brought into play. These were
| reinforced by pop-crackers of all sizes
the whole producing II combination OF
noises seldom equalled anywhere and
never before attempted in this city. II
the volume OF noise was gauge OF en-
iovment everybody must have had q
splendid time To their credit be 1t said,
however, there was no misbehaylor OF
any kind.
THE GRAND ROUNDS.
Kris Kringle Was abroad last night
and left tons of presents behind. All ot
the good children, and most OF the bad
ones, too, were remembered. The aver
age of early rising among the children
this morning will be unequalled by any
other day in the whole year, running
from about 20 4. NJ, and many happy
father before he sees this will have rued
the Ill fortune which caused him to IN
vest in horns, drums, fire-crackers, anc
the like for his young hopefuls.
Breakfast in most cases this morning
will he quickly disposed of, after which
the older people and many children vii
repair to the churches.
SERVICES IN THE CHURCHES.
In the Episcopal and Catholic churche
the fragrance of holly and cedar decora
tions fills the nir. 1t is an incense tha
floats the memory back to fsr-of days
and refreshes the spirit for the delight
fol lessons that tell of the Babe in tn,
Manger; OF the stars guiding the Wis
Men of the East, and OF that bene1ictiol
of profoundest love which proclaimed
peace on earth and goodwill 10 men
In the prayers, in the Scripture readings
in sermon, in priesty chant and chora
answer. and in swelling anthems, there i
glory 20 God in the highest and love 70
all mankind.
There will be services in all of tb,
Catholic and Episcopal churches, and II
one or more Of those Of other denomina
tons. In many instances elaborate mu
sical programmes, which we're published
in Sundays DISPATCH, have been ar
ranged, and will be rendered by choir
that have been in training tor severa
weeks. No attempts have been made n
elaborate decorations, but the churche
wherein services are 10 be held bav'
been tidily dressed.
DECLINE IN PRICES.
The markets yesterday were crowde'
with ell seasonable supplies 10 exten
sively that there was q decided fall II
prices Of perishsble produce late in th'
day. This enabled many q person Il
have a much moro pretentious Dime
to-day than they had anticipated.
There was no falling oil in the passag'
of bundles 10 aud fro by mail and ex
press, and the people engaged in thes'
two departments OF transportation vii
not regret that their heavy labors ar
about over.
GENERAL HOLIDAY.
1t goes without saying that this is gen
eral holiday. The banks and nearly al
the stores will be closed Sunday hour
will be observed at the post-oilice all tb'
State and city Offices except the Col
lector's will be closed. Captain Gun
ningham will keep his Office open unit
3 Z. NJ. as an accommodation to thos'
who have their taxes TO pay and canno
get off any other time.
CHRIsrNAs-TREEs.
Between this and New-Year nearl,
every Sunday-school in the city vii
have its annual celebration, which as
matter of course embraces Christmas
tree. Those OF Noore-Memonal an,
Leigh street Baptist churches come Of
tomorrow night.
CHRISTMAS OBSERVANCE AT THE Y. ". c. A
The yule-log will be burning from
A. VI. until 10 T. NJ. at the Young Men
Christian Association to-day and an al
tractive programme has been arranged
Refreshments will be served in the after
noon. All young men, especially thos
away from home. are cordially invite
10 visit the rooms Of the association an
enjoy the hospitalities extended to th
public.
HAPPY SCHOLARS.
The public schools closed at moo
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