Year: 1868

CHICAGO, Dec. oath 1868.


The people of the Garden City
are so intent upon the enjoyment o.
the holidays that the preparations fol
that event have surpassed all others ii
importance. If manager, minister OF
any other official is popular now is the
time presentations make their appearance
as tangible proofs of esteem. OLD
friendships are renewed and new ones
are formed, the Christmas carols strike
the tenderest chords of the human heart
and bring to view whatcyer there is OF
fellow feeling and charity. The poor
look forward to the times as short pc
riod of relief, and the affiuent more than
ever enjoy the luxuries of their position.
Looking back over the year, now al
most gone. the citizens of Chicago have
nothing to complain Of Fortunes have
been made and lost in many instances, but
the vast, volume of business has pro.
gressed most favorably. Growing with
the advance of time the city is constantly
making a record for itself. Different
from older cities in that it does not SO
continuously repeat its history, but is
continually striking out new course ir-
respective of the prejudice or opinions
of others.


Not contented with the almost COM
| plete network of railroads, the work goes
bravely on. The scheme for connecting
the Grand Trunk Railway with Chicago
is being revived; Some two hundred and
eighty miles are necessary to cross the
State of Michigan and thus furnish the
fourteenth line coming to Chicago. View
ing this the great Union Pacific and the
connection with Sioux City for the Terri
torial trade The next year will COM
pletely eclipse any Of its predecessors in
material prosperity.


Some important negotiations have al
ready taken place to make arrangements
for a direct trade with Mobile and
II Will lliC CIti-S anu
Cuba. These brief illusions will serve to
show how the arteries Of trade are grow
ing and strengthening, and what the Chi
cago of 1853 may be in 1878.


Never before did the votaries of skat-
ing enter upon the enjoyment of the ex-
ercise with more spirit, than this season.
The many rinks and parks of the city
are crowded with merry young folks,
reaping present pleasure and laying the
foundation of good constitutions.


The prohibitionists and the liquor party
are still arrayed in opposition. although
as organized political parties they are
just In their infancy. Both parties have
warm advocates in this city and from
present appc; RANGES this will be the start.
ing point and battle ground.


The business of foreign exchange from
Chicago is very extensive, and as your
readers may have occasion to need some
thing Of the kind, would call their at
tentlon to one of our lagest banking in
stltutions where it is made a speciality
I refer to the house of Geo. G. Smith &
Bro. 48 Lasalle street. Their connec
tons in England, France and indeed all
continental Europe are perfect They
are the sole Chicago agents for the Bank
of Montreal, desirable item of infor-
nation for those who wish to transact
business with Canada. This firm is one
of the strongest and most active in the
city, Their business is widespread and
their facilities for general banking busi
ness, as we'll as foreign exchange make a
connection with them extremely desirable
for country bankers, who will be treated
on terms asliberal as first class bankers can
afford


Notwithstanding there we're three
match games Of billiards this week, the
thing did not take. 1t is pleasing to
note the rapid growth of moral and high
toned ideas and, how comparatively little
attention Is paid to amusements etc, of a
questionable character. Do not under
stand me however, that all the people
are becoming saints, but the good are
constantly growing better and new recruits
are constantly being added.