New-York tribune., 1900-04-16
EASTER WE'LL OBSERVED.
FASHIONABLY DRESSED THRONGS FILL
CHURCHES AND STREETS
MUCH MONEY EXPENDED ON MUSIC AND
FLOWERS-WEATEER ALL THAT
COULD BE DESIRED

If Easter Sunday grows yearly to be less and less
important as many old New-Yorkers assert, Il
must have been truly great festival when it
in its prime. because the celebration of yesterday
general and hearty. both in the churches and
out of them. Indeed. the bright pictures presented
ny the fashionably dressed crowds which moved
almost ceaselessy along the principal uptown ave
nues and in and of the parks afforded some
basis for the question asked of her escort by one
young woman with especially large and
hat II wonder how those poor early Christians
managed 70 celebrate Easter satisfactorily in the
days before there any miIliners?" Neverthe-
less. there were not few who. gazing the
throng Of many nationalities and of decidedly
mixed social quality which surged along both sides
or fnth-aVe as the churches were emptied. sighed
for the days when ''the Easter parade" a
thing Of tiptop fashion and when the gowns and
hats displayed in 1t set the pace for the of
America.
Another reason urged for the decline of Casters
Importance it is declinng-s the fact that Lent
is less vigorously observed than heretofore In the
years when Easter marked the close of forty days
of real abstinence and self-denia wonder it was
looked forward TO longngly and welcomed effusive-
ly- But in these changed days, when Lent is only
an excuse in a great many for the sub
sttution of certain forms of amusement for others
Easter is hardly more than an excuse for bringing
out spring clothing, the giving and receiving of
flowers. and perhaps a visit to some church re-
nowned for its lavish decorations its beautiful
music.
Every aid which the weather could lend to make
a successful Easter present yesterday. The
sun shone bright, the air crisp and bracing.
COOL but cold, and the wind forbore to carry
dust clouds into the faces of pedestrians. be-
cause the streets thoroughly swept but be-
cause the air calm instead of boisterous. The
musical services in the churches elaborate
and ambitious Quartets in the chors
inforced, chOruses enlarged orchestras aided
the organs great sopranos and tenors were engaged
and famous boy singers were brought from afar
in 0ofTor priX-a disyrifI m he
of praise the solemn chants and the stately music
OF early masters. composed in commemoration OF
the Resurrection OF Christ, which comes at a time
fresh miracle by producing the beauty and the
bloom OF a new created world from the death OF
winter.
And how New-Yorkers did help that beauty and
100000 spent here this year for Easter
flowers. For church and home display the outlay
houses in New-Jersey and Long Island ;Il1 been SO SO
taxed With rush & Orders for Doh cut cut m ana
but pink and white azaleas pushed them hard, and
the predominance of all these long standing favor
I ties The only flower which seems be untouched
by the rapid changes of fashion is the purple violet
A Tribune reporter who made UP his mind to
view the throng from the top of Fifth-ave. stage
had TO wait a long time before he could win
do the thing that most of the stages runbled
along with only one or two passengers inside. but
with eager sghtseers But when the coveted
position gained what panorama spread out
upon two long wide and smooth bands composed
OF the round tops of shiny silk hats. They Dobbed
gigantic flower beds. The flowers were the
women's heads and they beat nature all hollow
in point of variety and wondrous coloring Below
| these top strata moved the great mass OF sombre
coated bodies. interspersed p1entifuly with gowns
OF many bright shades. And the briTliancy did
not end there; as far as that human flower the
! cerned. For this Is a year Of brilliant stockings
An An absolutely plain stocking is aim almost novelty
plentiful on the streets in dry weather as in wet