The Washington times., 1903-12-20
CHRISTMAS WEEK N THIS
CITY A GENERATION AGO
By W. M. THACKERAY.

rotary Of War. and to General Sherman.
velocipedes were in fashion about this |
time, and haberdasher of Pennsylvania |
Avenue made use of one for Christmas
advertising to an extent that reused the
ire of one of the city newspapers until
the editor wrote That nondescript red
and blue velocipede which some un-
happy wight keeps meandering to and fro
upon the Avenue. and is intended to ad-
vertise shirt factory, is nothing more
or less than haring nuisance. The
Avenue was not intended to be put to
this use. If every storekeeper follows the
graceless example what a gracious spec
tacle the street would present. The
thing is only calculated TO brighten
horses and amuse the bootblacks and
the newsboys."
A Torchlight Demonstration.
on Wednesday night of the Christmas
week the Boys in Blue gave a torch
light demonstration in honor OF the
President. in welcome of the Congress
and to pay respects to the mayor of
Washington. They also paid visit to
the Vice President. TO whom the we'll
known representative colored man. John
NJ. Langston, delivered an address Of
welcome.
Among other events of the week, there
was performance an amateur opera
! company. composed entirely of young
men and women of the city. They were
mainly clerks in the different depart
ments and singers in the church choirs.
The performance was a very creditable
one. and the audience was composed of
the very elite Of Washington society.
who gave the young operate artists full
need of commentator and applause.
Firemen on Dress Parade.
The fire department was also in evil
j dence during the week, and INDUCED
in a fine turnout. 1t was a gala event.
They paid their respects to the mayor.
The Georgetown department was on the
right of the line. and was presented to
his honor by Chief Engineer Drew. No.
/ Engine Company, Joseph Paris fore
man, had second place. Then came No.
2 with "Old Charlie Hurdle" in com
mand. and the whole was an inspiring
scene.
Services in the Churches.
In the churches the usual Christmas
services were merged in the religious
ceremonies Of Sunday At st. Matthews
Church at the conclusion Of the singing
Of the "veni Creator" by L. E. Cannon,
a Christmas homfy was delivered by the
Rev. Father Gallagher. Of San Fran
cisco.
DIR. Newman preached at the Metro
politan Church. The President. Mrs.
Grant. Miss Nellie Grant. Vice Presi-
dent Colfax and wife, and Senators
Pratt and Harlan were present. DIR
Newman's text was, 1--WE have seen
HIS star in the east and have come to
Worship Him
Bishop Pinckney at Ascension.
Bishop Pinckney, whose noble life
size statue faces everyone as they
enter the sacred grounds of Oak Hill
Cemetery. preached at the Church of the
Ascension, which was then located on
II Street, between Ninth and Tenth.
Time-honored old st. Johns Church was
a bower of floral beauty on Christmas
Day The musical features were of
peculiar character. an admirable fea-
ture being a chant by boy choristers,
under the charge of Prof. Fairbanks
The well-remembered Father Walter
preached at st. Patrick's. Churches Of
all denominations. those Of white and
colored congregations, gave earnest OBJ
servation Of the day. There were not
able services at the Presbyterian
Church. on Sixteenth Street. Of which
the late Frederick Douglass was
member. The Shiloh Baptist Church
; and the African Methodist Episcopal
Church were also crowded. The choir
: music in All OF them was most ex-
cellent.
A Brief Jingle of Sleighbells.
The weather for part Of Christmas
week thirty-three years ago was bitter
cold. and in the latter part of the week
snow fell and was deep enough on the
street railroad tracks--horses were the
motor power in those days-to delay the
cars. The Avenue was for a while
merry with the sounds OF sleigh bells,
but the weather moderated and the
rain fell and drowned out their melodi-