New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-27
THE WORLDS CHRISTMAS.
SECULAR OBSERVANCE or THE FEAST.
SKATING WAS THE cnIEF sPoRT--ALL BUSINESS
SUSPENDED.

SKATING WAS THE CHIEF SPoRTALL BUSINESS
SUSPENDED.
Il took two days this year properly TO ceie-
brate the great Christian festival Of Christmas,
and Yesterday was the day devoted to its secular
Observance The day dawned cold and bleak
with a wind blowing that cut like KNIFE.
Toward noon, however, the weather moderator
and the winds of the north lost their piercing
qualities IN the country around New-iork ueie
was skating, and the ponds of Staten Island Long
Island New-Jerscy and Westchester were coVereu
with throngs Of whirling, swiftly gliding young
men and maidens whose steelshod feet cut INTO
the smooth ice and whose cheeks glowed WIN
the sharp kiss Of the north wind. Up at van
CortIandt Park also there skating. but on the
sheltered lakes Of Central Park the ice was not
thick enough for the celebrating sport.
All over the city workshops. stores anu factories
were closed and there was no sound OF business
arising in the clear and frosty air. The long
blne lines of the rivers and the cleaning expanses
Of the BAYS were almost deserted by vessels. Inc
great tide of commerce which GIBBS and nows
through the Narrows on other days was stayeu
Now and then q great ship coated with ice came
YEARLY up from the wintry ocean, or STORM
delayed schooner struggled into port linen 10y
sails were furled tired engines ceased theU 'ro'-
bling and the second Christmas day settled uo""
nm the ,yove-worn mariners II was 9oOc 70 6c'
into mort at ALL but doubly so 10 get IN on
Christmas Day, even though il vas only ITS secu-
lar celebration. In the city people went ANU
with their best clothes on, and made calls on Al
their friends The streets in spite OF the clos'"
stores. wore holiday aspect. and on every laco
was smile The day smiled with the people ana
the world was Swallowed by the white Wigs OF
peace 1t WAS day in which tho small boys
who delight TO roam about the streets reapeo
harvest They stood on the steps of the eleVa'cu
stations and said in jocose and confident man
rer 10 the passers-by Mister, give me some
thing for Christmas II was a command, not d
request. and the little rascals were promptly
obeyed.
Everybody who did not have turkey on ouhu'S
for dinner had it yesterday, and those VINO hau
turkey on Sunday dincd yesterday on roast goose
The worldwide whisper of peace ana good VIII
fell with bencdiction everywhere Nag Ntrcc.
and all the part of tie city which goes ny tna'
form was silent and deserted. and the bells from
Tho snirc of old Trinity we're heard over the wI9Ic
district clearly through the frosty air. ScarccN
a footfaIl broke the silence of the streets III w
drvnoods district and along the wharVes no ZIP
G;Sc6orgad lis cargo The spells of every race
and cline remained in the SHIPS ho.''S CIV u
Lrawnv crowds Of longshorcmcn kept ShriS1u.d d
Tho snlendor Of the winter sunlight tei upon 'c
snires and domes of the city and Hooded It's strec's
al FINALLY the sun sank behind the white walls
of the Orange fountains; tho evening nv, gHn
wreatbed in smoke the red walls OF castle VIII
lam and the secular Christmas was over