New-York tribune., 1902-03-31
EASTER IN GOLDEN HUE.
RICH, GENIAL SPRING MARKS
THE DAY.
FIFTH-AVE. PARADE TAKES To CAR
RIAGES LARGELY-THE CHURCHES
HAVE BIG CONGREGATIONS.


For once Easter. so thoroughly typical in the
mind Of Chrstendom of reviving strength and
found life and newly blooming flowers. and
trees and grass putting their erstwhile vernal
trappings that had been so long bestowed be-
meath the frost and snow-for once this Easter.
who so often disappoints the millions that have
waited for her so long and SO eagerly. begOwned
herself appropriately and warmed the earth
with her most gracious smile.
Despite the fact that Easter rarely comes so
early in the spring, faiTer or more genial day
could have been desired for the festival than
that which dawned over Manhattan Island yes
terday morning. The earliest risers saw with
pleasure that the clouds and rain Of the night
had vanished, and that clear skies and gentle
warmth proclaimed that Nature was herself 70
do her utmost to make joyous the celebration
of the end of Lent.
1t goes without saying that all over the city.
as in every great city of the country, the church
oHservances were elaborate. and that special
programmes had been in preparation for the
day for several weeks. IN every house of wor-
ship save in those whose supporters still hold
that the festival has an unorthodOx tinge and
hence is TO be frowned upon there were banks
upon banks of flowers. the Easter lily. despite
its reported scarcity this season, predOminating.
Everywhere the choirs sang again, as they have
sung for many years. of a risen Christ
Everywhere was spirit of brightness and cheer:
everywhere. too-and this is surely not the least
ton of Eastertide-rhis spirit Of conscious op-
timsn and zest in life was reflected in the very
best of clothes.
THE EASTER PARADE.
Nearly everybody goes to church on Easter IN
New-York if he never goes at any other time
of the year And If he does not go TO church
or, going. is unable to get in. by reason OF the
ba is he her VIII he
multitude that spend the two hours Immediately
following the close of the morning services in
promenading up and down Fifth-ave in order
10 be seen and TO see The order OF these two
purposes may be altered 10 suit the Individual
taste but they remain the same for all that.
OIdtimers who had not missed an Easter
parade-as the pOst-church promenade has come
TO be caIled-for twenty-five years. said yester-
day that it seemed to them that the function
was not the glittering affair that it had been
in former days. They complained that good
many Of the smart people who used TO walk on
Easter sunday though they rode every other
Sunday of the year had taken TO keeping to
their carriage on Easter Sunday, too casual
inspection of the carriages that thronged the
avenue yesterday bore out this statement
A glance at the throngs on the sidewalk. too.
added corrobOrative testimony. In former years
so crowded have been the walks that rank after
rank StrOllSd Oy so close as almost 90 lOUcn
those in front. So packed together has been
the multitude that it has been almost impossible
to accelerate ones pace without taking 10 the
street This was not the case yesterday at any
time during the parade There always
ample room 10 make ones way ahead Of those
who were walking more slowly
NOT THE SCENE OF FORMER YEARS.
There is no doubt that the Easter parade Is
more famous now than ever before and that
many people come a distance 10 see il as ever
before But they do not the same thing
There was the usual thrOng yesterday at the
broad approach to St PatriCk's Cathedral after
the morning service. The granite steps were
crowded for hours by eager spectators who
craned their necks at those who passed across
the street In their turn these observers were
observed by the pedestrians and by dozens OF
photographers. who levelled their cameras at
them from every available doorstep. Every club
window contained it's group of male spectators.
and the hotels that front upon the avenue con-
trfbuted their share of Observers But the ex
perienced were disappointed for they knew that
il was not he Easter day parade OF yore.
The most conspicuous features Of the morn
ing were the big Fifth-ave- stages, which were
loaded 10 the danger point with frankly curious
spectators who obviously. for the most
part from rural or suburban districts. and had
come especially and particularly 10 indulge in
LOW RATES TO ARIZONA.
March nd Auril the New York Central