Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-26
HAD GOOD DINNERS.
THIS WAS THE FEATURE OF THE
DAY IN PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
CHRISTMAS CHEER EVERYWHERE.
Great Dinners at the JnIIs and Peni-
tentinry-The OLD Veterans Enjoy
n Sumptuous Repnst-The Hospital
Attaches Enjoy Themselves.

Chrstmas-Day in the jails and the
penitentiary was observed in the con
ventlonal way. but in a way peculiarly
enjoyed Prison fare week In and week
out Is apt to pail upon one. to say the
least. and a dinner Of delicacies such as
usually make up a Christmas-Day COM
memoration repast is boon appreciated
20 the full The inmates Of all the crimi-
nal Institutions in Richmond were given
such a meal yesterday and to them
Christmas was. perhaps, as much OF
reality as 10 any class In the city, unless
fl was the little lads and lassies to whom
santa Claus Is still friend.
At the city and county Jails bountirul
dinners. of, substantials and delicacies and
altogether tempting, were served. Pork
beef turkey. and chicken were among
the meats; potatoes and other vegetables
were served in abundance, and cakes
apples. and nuts composed the dessert.
That these had full justice done them
goes without the saying.
Old-fashioned pork pie was the great
feature Of the dinner at the penitehuary.
A more substantial dish is hard to ina
CINE. but the most toothsome dainties
were not more enjoyed at dinners 10
which free men and women sat down.
me i've conyicts to whom pardons were
Granted by the Governor Friday went
borna Yesterday. and ere now are with
trair neople. 1t Is pleasant to contem-
mate upon the happiness OF their nome
Gathering. and interesting TO speculate
as 10 whether the knowledge OF thell
- l. IL Fag
good luck had anything 70 do with maklils
Chrtstmas dinner more enJoyaDle 10 thoSe
SIN under the ban Of the law. Inc man
With faith in human nature VIII thihN
that it did. 100000 ~,
the convicts. they had a full holiday
,rorl, In the shops being entirely sus-
pended.
THE VETERANS DINNER.
The dinner at the Soldiers Home was
one OF the most sumptuous ever served
there. though Colonel Bigger has gained
q raputation as q caterer for festal oc-
casi0ns. The bill Of fare, printed in yes
tercav's Dispatch. was a triumph, anu
tho veterans gave II a hearty endorse
Taent Of the kind such always receives
from appreciative diners. The fesuid-
tons were relaxed, as far as posslole,
and the veterans given the privilege OF
coming TO the city without permit. The
pleasure Of the day, however, was marred
tv the unfortunate difficulty between two
comrades. an account Of which appears
elsewhere.
QUIETLY PLEASANT.
Christmas-Day in the hospitals was
quiet one. but II is pleasant to know thal
Il was not gloomy for either patients or
attaches. The latter enjoyed bountlIui
dinners. with al the Christmas accesso-
rIcs and many OF the former that are
convaIescent were allowed 70 partake OF
many dishes not on their usual bill OF rare
decorations were prominent features OF
the dav at these institutions, molly ana
other cverereens bearing silent testimony
20 the arrival Of the season OF peace aho
good will.
THEY ALL OBSERVED IT.
So far az IS known. the doors OF the
City Hall we're not opened yesterday al
the officials observing the day by Keep
ing as lar away from work as posslDle
Two Of the Capitol police were on outs
there. and the same number occupleO
the Library building otherwise thes
were deserted. At the post-oihce .nt
usual Sunday hours were observed whicr
was almost a holiday for the carriers
and a complete one for tile most OF th'
clerks