Year: 1872

Announced by all the tranpets Of the sky.


The Christmas weather s noted above the rest
OF the year for the TACT that it is usually marked by
the bitterest cold and the deepest snow storms.
The present weather Is even exceptionally severe
and the recolections OF "the oldest nhabitant"
reaching back to the fall OF man, do not compass
any time when the snow npkes descended faster
from the sky or the wind wilder and more
keen than from an early hour yesterday morning
until the gathering OF the shadows at nightlail.
Yhe day after Christmas Is tradltionally one OF
oity less observed to celebrate the memory OF st.
Stephen the proto-martyr than in continuation
Of the good feeling and festivities OF the great
holiday itself that has just passed St. Stephen
was placed first after the Master In the calendar OF
saints because OF his having been earliest of the
apostles to seal by the shedding OF his blood his
testimony OF faith and love. His name, however,
u now seldom mentioned upon this occasion, ex-
cept in the solemn intonations OF the Church
vice. and so little is known OF his life that there
few old associations and memories to be revived.
In most OF the great civilized cities OF the earth the
day has been from time immemorial season OF
slcighng and skating carnival especially in st.
Petersburg and other northern capitals. In Eng
land. besides Its being the occasion for


OUTDOOR WINTER SPORTS,


lt is famous for the Institution Of Christmas boxes,
whereby it is known by the name of "Boxing
Day.n


After this Introduction it Is now proper to say
that ''hoary Winters yesterday seemed intent
himself upon appropriately Signalling the ami
versary, and did so by sending Of the most sud-
den and rapid snow storms ever known in this city.
So intense was the cold and so fast fell the fairy
nakes, looking like tiny feathers from the wings Of
angels, that the aspect Of the streets changed like
magic Long before the dawn Of day the snow
began to float softly and wavering down from the
sky, and rested daintiy upon the pavements, as II
the wind were doubtful whether TO leave them in
their delicate beauty In such rude quarters or to
sweep them further onward in its moaning course;
when presently 1t began to blow furiously and
whired the snow with wild antics in all direc
lions. When the flush of dawn fairly streaked the
East, the cold stones under loot were covered
deeply with the white mantle and the falling
clouds grew denser until the hand could not more
be seen If held before one's face than in the thick
est London !og. But the storm compared very
favorahy with that afiiicton OF nature, as it
awakened in the breast keen enthusiasm IN its
very wdness and bitteNcold The necessity OF
keeping warm appealed to the animal sense OF self
preservation, and the movements OF pedestrians
we're consequently OF the most brisk aud lively
sort. The dim outlines OF


"MEN, LIKE TREES WALKING"


who could be seen jaunting through the snow that
encompassed them all around, on the ground under





upon their heads and shoulders Indicated vaguely
10 the mind the idea that they were gesticulatlng
nnremittngly with arms and hands as they went
rapidly along to Keep going the blood OF lie in


SOME OF THE SCENES IN THE STREETS
were grotesaue and laughanle on Broadway
speaking abruptly but jocuary to one another
from the depths oil their bundling muffiers. One
an 1 n csa Gaerman with large
shaggy description and wearing high Russian
cap, was pushing through the snow with an ex-
and comfort. II ever there was true, veritable 1
picture of


THE GOOD ST. NICHOLAS


himself this was one, only lacking the long Dutch
pipe and the bundle OF toys on his back to make 1t
complete. But then it was the day after Christ
mas, and those things were not strictly necessary
20 finish his realistic equipment; Tor were not all
the gifts OF the holiday day old All over his
portly form was scattered


/ THE FROZEN STRAY OF THE STORM,
the lakes resting conddingly against the black
cloth as II to signify the friendship OF grufi old
Borcas under whose Icy nature there turks jovial
love OF the noble and brave. On the great fur cap
there rose pyramid OF the snowy gems that had
been gathering one by one, and had been ap
preaching in their accumulation TO lofty apex
ever since he had left the door OF his home 10 ven-
ture, with dauntiess good humor, into the storm.
Down Broadway he went with sturdy strides, but /
he paused once or twice, aud, putting his hand In
fiye-cent pieces which he gave to the Walls and !
wanderers who stood at the street corners and |
pleaded with the passers for small gifts to soften
their poverty. After each OF these stoYpages lie |
went on again more briskly but his face |
wore an expression more tender than that oi mere
good humor. AT last great laugh from the throat |
OF some hoarse pedestrian rang out in the air. st.
Nick was down. lie had slipped ana fallen over
an iron-covered coa-hole in the walk and lay there
@ moment, laughing at his own ludcrous mis-
fortune. The snow crown mad been shaken on
by the sudden shock. lie picked himself up and
went on. But The pyramid OF snow slowly re-
gathered and when last seen he was trudging
along with the same happy look. The question
then arose whether this was not the real 81.
Nicholas, going about, as he aiways does, TO mark
n Christmas


Throughout the day the storm rather increased
than iessened IN violence, and many were the COM
PARSONS made by weather-wise and hoary y-haired
old folks with former Christmas seasons. Despite
were driven ON Broadway by gentlemen who
usually make their business calls in their carriages
and there were also some bold adventurers who
careered behind neet horses through the Park aud
the Lane But all OF them were glad TO retreat to
their homes, and the shivering steeds felt blessed
There were q few


SKATERS on THE LAKES,


warmly clothed n firs and wrappings. and the ice,
when swept OF the snow, was IN splendid condi-
ti0Di but or course, the area That was open TO
pleasure seekers during the storm was very small
in extent.


The difficulty or the majority OF the people In get
ting down town was SIMPLY appalling. Few Win
tcfs OF the past IN New York ever presented such
exciting pictures as those oil half the population OF
che city striving ftantcally to make some progress
through the driving Storm when at every for.
ward step they slipped backwards and thus
exemplfed the story OF the country lad
who was unable 10 get to school until
ward an opposite point. Those who fingered by
their iresidcs with The fond hope that IL would be
easier by and by for them TO get 10 their places OF
bas ness were sadly disappointed. for the undated