New-York tribune., 1898-12-26
CHRISTMAS JOY ABOUNDS.
GENERAL CELEBRATION OF THE Hohl-
~ DAY.
LARGE CONGREGATIONS IN THE CHURCHES.
WHERE SPECIAL, oBsERvANcEs OF THE
DAY ARE HELD-DINNERs FOR THE

DAY ARE HE1D-pINNERs FOR THE
observation-disclosures TO-DAY
II was nt the churches that the chief ceebra-
tions OF Christmas took place yesterday FRO"
the hour OF 4:3O when numerous congregation
had come through the still dark streets 10 o''
Patrick's Roman Catholic Cathedral to near
solemn high mass until the last of the vesper
services the churches were filed with worship
pers all day long. In every church In the Guy
some special observances were carried out. and
in many the floral decorations and the musica'
services were extremely elaborate Almost WIN
out exception crowds listened 10 the Shr's''"a'
sermons and the Christmas music
There was the usual holiday atmosphere about
town. Despite the misanthropes and the cvhioS
the larger part of mankind still holds the opin-
ion that Christmas is a day to be glad upoh'
dav ON which TO listen with especial readiness
10 the kindly premptings Of the heart uas
more for smiles than any ether OF the oo'' nun
dreds OF windows in all parts OF the to"n' iio.''
the mansion Of the millionaire 10 the hunu'eu'
holding tenemen house in Orchard-st' ols-
p,ayed wreaths OF laurel or sprigs OF hon!,
while many pedestrians wore the red perry ana
Its green leaf in their buttonholes. The weather
kindly allowed the public by the au'horiues
who have these things in charge, was as nearly
peUect as 1t ever gets to be on CHRISTMAS III
tho city. The air was frosty enough withou.
being bitter. and the fogs and rains OF last week
were good enough to remember the DAY ana re-
main at a respectful distance.
The day was celebrated at the almshouses and
tails by better dinners than usual and at ST.
Marks Hospital the usual Christmas celebration
took place in the afternoon, but most OF the
festivals and Christmas dinners will be held to-
day.
Mrs Howard Gould will give a Christmas tree
10 $50 poor children at 2 o'clock this afternoon
at Berkeley Lyceum. William NJ. Fliess VIII
give his annual Christmas dinner to newspoys
and bootblacks at the Brace Memorial Logging
House at o'clock AT o'clock Will take place
the festival of the Auxiliary Committee OF the
German Hospital and Dispensary. The Woman
Republican Club Of the With Assembly District
will give a chldren's Christmas party at NO. eoo
Nin:h-ave. at o'clock.
n Willis James for the Children's Aid So
ciety. will give a Christmas dinner for the In
mates of the Tompkins Square Lodging house
The EOgg Lodging House for Girls VIII nave us
annual Christmas tree and dinner at o'clock
AT the Elizabeth Home for Girls Mrs. w. r.
Dodge. jr., will furnish Christmas dinner IN
the evening for the Chidrens Aid society
There will De seamans Christmas ceiepta-
ton in the evening at the Mariners' Temple. NO
Henry-st. The East End Christmas Tree As
socation will distribute its gifts at O'Clock MS
morning at the Amphion Theatre Brooklyn.
The Salvation Army will distribute TO the poor
under its care the food purchased by means OF
the collections raised at the street corners IN
the last fortnight.
To-day will be generally observed by a sus-
pension Of business. All the exchanges VIII be
closed. as will also the banks, and most business
houses will not open for business. The theatres,
however, Will hope to attract at their matinees
and the evening performances enough people TO
compensate them for the loss sustained last
week by the customary Christmas week busl-
ness ---.