The Wilmington daily Republican., 1895-12-26
CHRISTMAS DAY.
1t Was An Unusually Green Fes-
tival Here Many Pretty Trees.

1t was en- unusually green Christmas
yesterday. Had 1t not boen for the extra
crowds on the streets and the Rr eeLs that
could he seen In almost every window,
one would hardy have known that the
great festival was ct hand. The warm.
mild weather did not seem inucn ike the
white ileecy Christmas that Wilmington
has been accustomed to. One result OF
tho pleasant weather was to bring out the
people. Alb during tho afternoon and
evening crowds thronged the streets.
In the churehes the music that wake the
echoes of the morning waa Of q character
that Convinced onelthat days when church
goer was pleased with 10 deums of the
simplest order, and when the most eiao-
orate festival music consisted OF little DO.
yond q very plain anthem ure indeed past
For the most part IL consisted OF masses
and compositions of the nlgehst type.
In the Catholic und Episcopal churche
the music was, Ss u rule. superb and
augmented -oholrs composing some OF
did masses OF Handel. Msnlslssohn and
Mozart amidst specially Impressive sur
roundings.
The hearts Of the unfortunates in the
Delaware and Homeopathic hospitals were
made glad yesterday. There was plenty
OF Christmas cheer and those in charge
did all in their power to make the day
Merry Christmas" for the patients. Pres
ents were distributed to all.
At the Delaware Hospital the Brother
hood Of st. Andrew conducted a service
In the afternoon. Beside private contrl-
buttons the managers presented the pa
| tlents with gifts.
The day was quietly observed at the
| Homeopathic Hospital. There was no SER
| vice of any kind. but the day was mono
| tha less enjoyable. The hospital was
| decorated and presents were given to the
I MI
| Clara Powell the small girl at the
Homeopathic Hospital. who wrote letter
to Santa Claus for doll, was remembered.
\ When she awoke yesterday morning she
| found near her cot a large doll sent by
1.-THE Morning Newss" staff. She was
greatly pleased and laughed and cried In
turns, SO great was her jsy, All day long
she played with the toy seeming never to
| tire of It, She has been at the hospital for
about six weeks and came from near New
port.
There were more trimmed Christmas
trees in Wilmington last night than were
ever seen before In some sections nearly
every house had its evergreen tree deco
rated with brilliant colors and pretty fam
cies. II only those homes which contained
children had trees Wilmington is very far
from being a childless city.
| That Is a pretty custom and kindly
one, which causes people to SO arrange
their displays so that they can be seen
from the street. Many lonely one last
night walked the streets and had the best
feelings within him moved by the gilmpses
OF good cheer and home life which the
raised curtains and drawn blinds allowed
Unfortunates who were compelled to be
away from home and loved ones were re-
minded that some such scene was taking
place among his friends. Those who had no
home recalled again their childhood and
gladder and happier times. Every one was
better for the sight and the trees and their
decorations with the joy that surrounded
them. were Just so many sermons that
were more effective than the most of pull
pit utterances.
The decoration of a Christmas tree is a
trlle now compared with what it was a
few years ago. Then many of the fancles
had to be prepared at home with great
pains and labor. Those articles which
could not be made within the household
were quite expensive. Now the cheap five
and ten-eent stores supply the decorations
at a moderate cost and the labor is merely
a matter of doing the fixing with an exer.
else Of some good taste.
In addition to this the trees themselves
have been cheaper this year than ever be-
fore.