The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-27
IDEAL CHRIS MAS
GREATLY ENJOYED.
Richmond Celebrated Thursday
as Not in Many Years.
FIREWORKS; DRESS PARADE.
This Former D.Lgh,ed the Children
tina Latter Pea ed wen and Won n.
Family Reu ..ons-1 he Th-a.res
Probationary tresents.
4 Christmas nay nearer the ideal than


Thursday never dawned.
snow and Christmas never will be dis
.ssac;atea FOR wears Christmas has
been wa. m in Richmond and people con-
Stailtly remarked. .Inis noes not seem
Ike |, nrIs mas; it is too VAIN; one eA-
poets snow.
The general prosperity and the unusual
generosity of the people III purchasing
presents Ior ffienus, both Gissant ana
near the happiness anu contentmeht "a
every one tostered the belief that TINS
Christmas would lar soFnass all 49,. 81, =
for many years past ms preuicl'oh
-,.e ,,ade and it came true to the fullest
degree.
An were prepared TO enjoy Christmas.
no matter what the weather was hut
when the snow came Christmas eve night
an Christmas Day dawned brisAt ana
cold with patches of snow upon the
keeping with every tradition Of the ho!l-
day, and left not one thing wanting 70
make happiness complete. Clouds stread
over the city about 8 o'clock and in The
afternoon and again big fakes OF snow
seli for an hour. " P. M thousands
of stars peeped down upon the eafth'
looking ..ae ull.e bonflres In the tar
distance.
THE EARLY CANNONADE.
Christmas Day began early with every
one. AS early as . o'clock the boom and
burst of cannon crackers were heard.
q little later lights fared up in many
windows. telnng the story that chiioTen
had already begun the exploration OF
Christmas ste kings for the gifts ana
surprises that Santa Claus mao iel.; ;
Packages. sealed and mys erious, had
heen coming into many homes since
carly in the week. OF course. these
were not opened until Christmas morn
ing but curiosity had been Whetted IN
fil threatened to cut through all me
patience of waiting un.-. Thurs 'aS morn
Ing. Many got UP as early as CLOCK
and Investigated their array VI ~ Gu -
and went to sleep afterwards win lh.iT
aanre nrecious gus close beside their
beds.
nav,igh. was announced by bonflres
and THE cannonatie Of pop-crackers IN
svery par; Of the city. the wfldest en-
.hus:asm and JOY among the children,
who were still in houses.
In many of the Episcopal ehuEches
communion services We're held at
,'cIock and not a few went to these
1undreds of the faithful uraved the cold
mn attended masses III the tathonc
Churches at 5 O'Clock in the morning.
Breakfast hour all over the city On
his holiday was clock. This was one
If the nosiest and llapp.est meals OF the
every one was laughing and telling VIVA,
i. had gotten, all talking as much a
ncc as consistent with politeness, and
% the mea! passed P obablr the next
top in the celebration after breakfast.
ana . second view OF the home presents
vas; to go to the house of friends ana
eshbo1s ard see what S-nta Claus had
st there OF course. the jcwerly and
uch things as could be worn were taken
10, CHI 2
cntinual showing and being shown 60
NJ on and above all a delightful chat
MUSIC AND DRESS PARADE.
Church at II o'c.ock was the rule. The
lusic in ali the chu. ches was execution
lily fine and the sermons appropriate.
Few prettier sights are to be witnessed
the city than the parade OF we'll
ressed men and hansomely costuned
omen, such as one saw after church
n Franklin and Grace Streets Many %
,e men. It IS true. were in business
aits-more or less rough and tumble
arbs but the women we in their finest
I'D best. and flowers. 'yiclets, lilies Of the
allied and roses. were to be seen in
aster profusion.
Flowers were unusually high. too, but
se boys were good" and went down
their pockets deep. and pulled on
lie coin For instance. violcts were
,nts apiece. or just twice as high as On
thanksgiving day.
The city was wofully divided on dinner
bur. Many made little Of the largest
rleys that money could buy at r.
tual 80 O'clock" while many others had
.e smallest possible lunch. and coaSef
spetites until o'clock These were the
mily reunion hours. and aside from tn"
sicurean enjoyment inseparab bly, connect
| with the consumption OF choice "iands.
ss meeting Of friends. long separated
rs pleasure u,''hout alloy and wander
lily retuvenating.
FIRESIDE AND PLAYHOUSE.
Evening and twilight in the home, and
en- the theatres or cards and social
ats before bright fires made the hours
: by until sieel, claimed its own
rhe two theatres wee crowded to their
most cara city at both performances.
Little drunkenness was seen en- the
scet. The absence OF unseemly con-
let at any time Of the day was note
.-thy But a quantity of liquor was
nIled in Richmond Thursday. and JUS
,e John held q great reckoning in his
urt yesterday. He was easy" hnweve-.
the simple drunlls.' for Christmas
es not come but once a year.
iarnily. not a serions accident from
ecraclers occurred. The day was al
sether aeliphtful. and as nearly the
,aI Christmas as the most faSti1i0us