New-York tribune., 1891-12-25
IN M1YY PLOTTING HOMES.

THE CHRISTMAS SPELL, THROWN OVER TIN
WATER IS on EVERY VESSEL IN THE BAY.
When the Wheels Of time roll slowly round ana
brno hack Chrstmaste again. the spell Of the great
holiday fI,s not only on the cities which cluster around
tho Raw and the wide rivers which empty into H. but
upon that great floating city which lies mooed at pen
along the water front and rides at anchor below Bed
Iows and Governors Islands. Ships from every nation
ar, there and the flags which wave from their stems
have blazed on every battlefield where, In name and
smoke has been forged the iron fabric Of the words
history Here they all are waving now In the Decemr
her wind over peaceful ships Of trade, shining together
in the light of Christmas morning, as If again, from
ont long generations over the world the voice Of Christ
said, Peace"
All along the river front the slips lie. There arc
great ocean steamers, In whose cavernous depths half
naked men toll in flashes OF lurid light and fierce heag
I'm their swift darngs across the ocean, While on tel
waveswept decks the faces of mucd sailors are stang
by the sleet swept Oh fierce winds through black snd
starless NIGHTS. and officers strain anxious eyes over
thu7dering sea- which stretches great kissing arms d
foam TO drag the ship down. Then the grim unloyelY
tramp the unpoetic master Of the commerce Of the
world and the graceful sailing vessel, which lifts iu
spars against the wntry sky and seems TO yearn once
mo?e TO feel the seas like proud steeds under IT, have
all the peace OF Cbristmastlde. Some have come from
where about the sunlit walls Of Rio Para, the palms
Christmas I've ats and the coffee blossoms lie like
upon the hsides. Others from regions where the
footsteps Of Odn and Thor still finger In the blsca
FROST and icy waves dash on barren cliffs which 70
Aect the scanty rays Of the winter sum-
But the sailor does not think OF these things. He
thinks Of his Christmas dinner which has plum duf q
an accompaniment with plenty OF plums I" lnto' It. lie
doesn't know how picturesque he is as he gathers 70
the midday meal strong and ruddy with that ndeana.
Ia INN ~ fha lie NC
knife the creature or his fingers, If they more
handy and he eats with animal savageness, but that
cannot prevent him from being picturesque. He 70
nearer to the great heart of nature than those who
dswdlc over elegant tables and the glory Of the sea
In him. He has met 70 face to face and conquered II.
and 1t loves him, and he loves ii. What place have
conventionaties OF table etiquette here All day long
no work is done. II 1t is sailing vessel or a small
steamer the captain dozes in his cabin after dinner and
the sailors after scribbing themselves until their faces
shine like ddy moons, put OF their shore clothes aud
wander in groups up through the almost deserted streets
With the captains OF the big liners Of course, it is d
feent They take their Christmas dinner on shore al
tables sparkling with glass and silver, the guests
PROBABLY Of passenger who always crosses with
Captain Soand-so,' and sits in seat Of honor at oA
captains table during the tip.
There Is another clnss OF the floating population Of
the Bay which must not be forgotten and that tho
canalboat village. On the Fast River front between
Piers Nos. and the canalboats lie thcky together.
In the stern OF each Of these boats is little home ard
a family not always small. These homes are as snug
and comfortable as one can imagine, and you may b
sure Christmas Is enjoyed there The children hang
their stockings up at night, Just sure that santa
Claus Will nnd mis- way down the galley stovepips
as they would be II there oldfashioned brick
chimney for him to descend. The families OF the
little village go calling on one another from boat 70
beat, the children about and compare Christmas
presents, at night the sound of the violin accordion
comes floating out from where the cabin Wlnooss
CLEAN bright, and when finally tile village 10 bed,
the waves from passing ferryboats make each home
cradle which gently rocks the inmates TO sleep as tho
bells Of far of churches In the city chime The hours.