The morning call., 1894-01-02
THE YEARS FEAST
Brilliant Birthday of a
New Friend.
Thousands Take Advantage of the
Mild Weather to Enjoy the
Popular Festival.

Bent across the gllnting wavelets of San
Francisco Bay yesterday beamed the eter-
nal promise Of rainbow. New Years
day, so pregnant with fate for so many,
was being signalized by the most beautiful
symbol of hope known 10 m0rtals.
The holiday had opened dOubtfully.
Heavy rain had fallen early in the morn
ing before dawn and the Weather Prophet
had prophesied showers" Many an out
ing had been planned, many a party
formed, and yet the skies were overcast.
But the climate asserted itself. Through
the clouds burst the Dhalanxed rays of the
sun. the heavens cleared, and with the
exception of an occasional shower an ideal
New Years day succeeded. 1t was the
earnest of the rainbOw's promise.
AS consequence san Francisco prone
naded, drove, rode, bOated and basked as
the western Paris alone can. The cere-
mony of ''calls" growing rapidly obsolete,
still obtained among certain people and
pretty girls and stately matTunS enter
talned many merry party with true Cali
fOrnla hospitality. One crew of plug
hated young fellows in a gayly bedecked
coal-cart, driven tandem and freighted
with tin borns Of the most approved
fashion provoked particular attention.
They were making calls"
But there was plenty Of other amuse-
ments to engrOsS attention. The cables
groaned under the multitudes being
dragged out TO assist as the French say, at
the informal opening of the Midwinter
Fair the races at the Bay District track
or the rOllicking game at the Haight-street
baseball grounds. Others were destined
10 visit the Preside and the wild and beau.
tiful shOreline, where the bracing breeze
bore in a wealth Of life-giying ozone and
hrRnpht fFasn cnarE 10 IN n M
color TO the cheek. 1t was a gay company
that took violent possession OF the cars and
the only individual that looked cynically
at them was the conductor as he counted
his rich haul of affairs.
Then there were trips farther afield for
the enterprlSing. Across the bay to New
ark Park. the great coursng center,
jouTneyed some of the spOrtsmep, while
Others visited their favorite resorts in
Marin and Alameda counties. Some we're
buTne southwark, too. for the day was per-
feet and the promise good for the sunny
cheer holding out to the setting of the sun.
Perhaps few Of the thousands at the park
or elsewhere, sauntering along in the mild
radiance Of a California mid winter day,
thought of the frozen East and its con-
gealing terTOrs, but doubtless many OF our
visitors did. The ArabtanS. Turks and
other foreigners, so plentiful in the city
just now, must have been singing Il pean
Of praise which may yet find echo in their
native land and bring California added
fame.
Charity was not forgotten on this glad
day of the New Year. Bounteous dinners
were served at the Hebrew Orphan Asy-
lum and the Girls Directory and little cpl
gastria were systematically stuffed with
all the choice deilcacies OF the season.
Special services were held in various
churches, which never fail To accentuate
the import of the popular festival.
The evening closed with high social
rites. TayerD-keepers and restaurants
celebrated the great day, ushered in with
so much noise, with hbatiOns of eggnog
and offerings of turkey. while in the sacred
precincts of the home a good dinner, mirth
andlsn ciability aided in cementing the holy
ties of blood and friendship.