The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-01-01
Death and Birth.

tRlteS unu u IHo
& them III the future.
Death and Birth.
no some the day and tho night That
marked the division OF the two calen-
$dar years was much rs other nights.
i THEY slept all unconscious OF heedless
II that year was dying and that another
lad been born. TO them tho importapt
problem was that they must rise as tlsual
and toll for daily bread. There IS a
practical sldo. as well as the sentimental,
the coming of a new year, one az
afectinE one temperament and announcer
Il the other.
The work Of one year was closed yes
@terdny. and that of the now will lomi-
Snally begin to-day though, in most cases,
f5itircally will not commence until To-
morrow II Is a comncndablc and pleas
ing expression Of the brotherhood OIL Iu-
man'ty and the sympathy OF man Win
4 rian that on this day every man mas d
Cheering ring in his greeting or his TEL
.l,w.rnan, and there is something cordial
n tne "Happv New Yctf" salutation so
generally exchanged BY acnunintances.
re- To the ladies ittmay be OF interest 10
notc that the new year is Il leap year.
and furthermore. that 1t Is the tlrst leap
year since 1885,, for the century year con
sisted Of but the usual 500 days. Accord
Zig to current pleasantly, the ladies' may
ROW propose to the gentlemen instead OF
having to await in expectancy tho over
i,lIres of, the sterner sex. Leap yehE leI-
+. tsrs and parties will be the vogue soon,
snim altogether, will tend TO add splco
OF inerriment to the world.
A General Holiday.
The day is national and State holiday and
will be very generally observed. Inc
x,,tN n
Il tor |. quorum. but 1t is admitted that
the effort will be a failure, MI the
I niher departments of the State and Fed
eral governments will be closed. noml-
nnlly at least, as will almost all tho
Offices of the railroads and other large
ccrnorations. The banks and financial
institutions will observe the day by clos
Ing their doors The city postotfice VIII
deliver mail but once, and tllat at ~
A. Nj Stamps can be purchased at inc
rostoffice only from 10 a. M. untll noon
Three collections VIII pc liitioe Ato'' t''e
boxes to-day
81 The revenue offices. courts and other
,,trices In the Federal building Will be
closed for the day. Tho railway Offices
win take at lcost n half holiday and In
+ many cases the abstinence from Work
Will extend aver the entire day.
Man, n,ercs% tile houses VIII close their
doors. or remain nolHll!aiiS olt''' ~ 80
fay is generally an unproftable one lor
BUSINESS. Altogether the holiday spirit
will eisll almost everywhere, inc hows-
7,aptrs will issue as usual at Inc accus'
S toned hours.
7Lasl night many social gatherings
z awaited the birth of the New Year. and
The participants wished each other a cor
dill happy New Year and many moro,
nc night many informal receptions ana
entertainments OF a private nature are
scheduled, Generally tho year Will D"
welcomed with social festivities
several largely attended and impress
3gsiye watch-night services were held ~ me
3 different classes, The consresatlo'is
gathered, sometimes two and three houls
before midnight, and awhited ''le up'
proach of the infant New Year.
The service was of the usual sort, Ihere
we're music and hymns and usually ser
mon from the pastor of the conHrega'
fition. AS the hour of midnight drew near
The scene was very impressive one. Inc
( people filling the pews sat silent anc
Z. awaited while the moments ana thalS
Tho seconds sped by. Joyous CHIMES
whereeyer there were such, greeted I'M
New Yoar when 1t arrived and gave GOO
speed 10 the old, 1.,,,
services OF this sort We're held at Cen
tenary. at Laurel Street, atthe church o
INC Holy Comforter and number o.
others, They were all unusually well at
tended.
Observation-Disclosures.
tspecial to The Times Dispateh)