New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-24
CHRISTMAS CHEER.


A GREAT SOCIAL AND COMMERCIAL INSTITUTION
THE METROPOLITAN HOLIDAY SUPPLE
MrNr AND ITS VALUABLE CONTENTS
CAUSES FOR REJOICING
OF all the glad days Of the year none are more
completely filed with happiness and unalloyed
1ov than Christmas Long looked forward TO by
old and young alike, il brings with each sue
ceeding cycle Of time new pleasures and varied
nxnerences From the commercial point Of
view Il marks the top notch In retail business
The workshops all over the world have been
kept busy throughout the twelve months pre-
cedine In order that Santa Claus may not dsap-
point his hosts Of admirers when the important
moment has arrived. The manufacturers or the
most costly furs. jewelry silverWare furniture
household goods in general. clothing' oress
eoods TOYS and novelties down 10 the smallest
article plan their work with their eyes fastened
on the holiday season Of the year. when the peo-
ple II a. no other time. loosen their pocket
book strings and invest in gifts for the members
OF their family and their friends.
II Christmas were blotted out from the calen-
dar the effect upon the volume OF the countrys
business would be more serious and disastrous
than the IMAGINATION can picture AS a COM
rnercial institution as well as a social one,
Christmas IL certainly Of the most success
fu, kent sacred by the human race The cync
and the carping critic may say that 1t has lost
much Of its popularity. but conditions do not
sustsin them There h not a retail store
throughout tho length and breadth Of this great
country that has not felt the glow and warmth
Of holiday trade The custom OF exchanging
gifts al this season may be said 10 have frmer
hold upon the popular mind than ever peiore'
II gains IN strength as time goes on
EFFECT ON TRADE.
In all Of the numerous ranihcatons OF tns
trade system Of the world there is hardly
branch that is not Influenced 70 certain extent
by IT, The fact that useful. practical presents
form a major portion Of those purchased every
December adds untold value 10 the situation
Tho Christmas spirit is rampant everywhere 1t
Is felt alike In the busting centres OF population
and In the isolated hamlets and villages or tne
plains.
For those who dwell in the metropolis the
Yuletide scenes are among the most engaging
~ the winter Here In this centre or pOpula-
ton this leader Of all American cities. with its
three millions and a half Of human souls. are
great retail Establishments which are almost
city unto themselves The finest display Of rich.
rare useful and ornamental articles and OF
thousand different kinds Of inexpensive trim
kets is TO he found In the show windows OF the
greater city. SHOPPING has been the ai-lmpor-
tant duty OF the hour. and FOR two weeks prior
70 the present date the streets have been nlied
with throngs OF happy INDIVIDUALS hurryihs iioIi
one bazaar 70 another in quest Of some one ar
ticle. or many Of them. perhaps. which are in
tended 70 bring an unexpected pleasure to some
one.
Even the railroad passenger service receives
a benefit from the day. All over the LAND the
schools are Diminishing for the holiday Vacauoh:
and thousands upon thousands Of students OF
both sexes and Of all ages have been transporter
70 their homes TO take part in the festlvltes
and 10 rest from the long siege OF STUDYING
which has been going on since the early DAYS or
September In apother department the rail-
roads are deeply interested because the express
business for the last two weeks has assumed
tremendous proportions, and In order to handle III,
eli the packages which have been sent to all
rortions of the civilized world II has been neees-
gary to hire extra help and put on more cars
GIFTS FOR THOSE FAR AWAY
The mail service also has had cause I" srum-
HE AZ the load which has been placed upon It's
.houlders The uniformed employees OF Uncle
Sam have peen going around with big strings
OF packages Of all sorts and sizes. ana e"'i"