The New York Herald Newspaper, December 25, 1855, Page 4

4 NEW YORK, HERALD. — JAMES GO'"“4pON BENNETT, ¥ROT-g1eTOR AND EDITOR. ae BFTICE F. Ye CORNER OF NABSAU AND FULTON STS particulars of which are gi%en in our account of the proceedings. Am ordinance from the Councilmen, appropriating $1,516,°86 additional for assesament and revenue bonds, was concurred in, upon recom- mendation of the Finance Committes. A report relative te srooving the Russ pavement in Broad- wey gave rise to some debate, and the subject was Bnally referred back. Tke‘Committee of the Board of Councilmen, ap- pointed to investigate into the character of the late ‘bids for erecting the proposed monument to General Werth, had another eeseion yesterday. Several par. ‘ties were called, whose names appeared attached to ‘some of the bids as sureties. Some alleged the use of their names as unauthorized, and pronounced the same as being forgeries. The committee propose to investigate the subject thoroughly, with the view to stop, if possible, the present corruption in negotia. ting contracts for city bids. Some of the parties in- executed with newinees, cheapness and Bee- VER TISEMEN T'S renewed wery day. AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. BROADWAY THEATSE, Brostway—Kixe Caanmunc— ws Mraeeon’s Wire, 9 . —— THEATRE, Bowery—Cur Boy or rus Dry MTRIAWISM. ‘Beon WS THEATRE, Ohambere stroet—Oniy 4 Penny i ‘a GOVEHNOR—TRIP PO NiaGaRa. bya nd THRATRE, Broadway—X. Y. 7.—Po-ca ‘eet ks—S0oeaT, 8 MI Ermorux Pas eens INSTRELS, 444 Bevadway—! BUCKELSY’S BURLESQUE OFERA HOUSE, t90 Broad- “sei Mowramsr. weg—Berasqve Orsas ann Nowro HALC,, 663 Broadway—Ermrort.n Musical Awe Reranekinueets. Sew York, Tucsday, Decembor 25, 1855. Malls for Huxgope BREW YeRK HERALD—SDITION POR BUROPE. ‘Sho Coffins mail steamship Baltic, Capt. Comstock, will ‘Werw Yorx Bums will be received at the following places in Barope— Rewvor— Aw. & European Exprees Co., 17 ond 18 Cornhill. Pame— do, do. 8 Place dela Bourse. do. do, 7 Romforl street. ” —Jobn Hunter, 12 Exchange vireet, Hest. ‘Sep contens of the European sedition of the Hematp ‘will embrace the news receive’ by mail and telogeaph s+ Be Mee the vious week, and to the hour of The Wews. We publich this mornin: a full account of the particulars attending the seizure of the eteamship Morthern Light by the United States authorities, acting under instructions received from ‘the Presi- Went. The District Attorney attended at the vessel im person, accompanied by his assistant, Mr. Joa @hinscen, and three or four deputy marshals, and in- formed her captain and owners that if she left while under detention, they would be acting in vio- Jation of the laws, and they should be held respon" sible for their condnet. In detiance of his authority, however, they started with the officers on board, and in the.midst of the most intense excitement of a Jarge crowd who had assembled on the pier. She met with no interruption till passing Governor’s Island, when she was stopped by the United States revenue cutter Washington, which brought her to, after firing three'times with blank cartridge. She was then boarded by gome of the officers from the eutter and anchored in the river between the Bat- tery and Jersey City, where she is lying at present: None of the passengers will be permitted to land until she is searched, for the purpose of discovering if she carries any concealed munitions ef war for Nicaragua. An arrangement has been made by which she will be allowed to sail to-day about twelve o'clock, the Nicaragua Transit Company having agreed to give bonds as security for the legal ebaracter of the vessel. Thus the matter rests at present. One of our Washington correspondents states that @ol. Parker H. French, the newly appointed Minis- ter from Nicaragua, presented his credentials at the State Department, and that Mr. Marcy refused to yeeognize him, on the ground that Walker's govern- ment had not received a proper endorsement from ‘the people of Nicaragua. Central American affairs and the alleged filibustering movements were de- Miberated upon by the Cabinet yesterday, and it was reeolved to use the most stringent measures to de- feat apy and all attempts to violate the neutrality Jaws. There is nothing new from Wasbington relative te the organization of the House. A sort of cate- shetical conversation occupied a portion of yester- @ay’s session, in which Mr. Banks somewhat @amaged his cause. A resolution to elect a Speaker by a plurality vote was again defeated, as was also a motion to stop all debate until an election had been effected. A vote for Speaker was taken. Banks re- ceived 101, Richardson. 73, Fuller 37. The House then adjourned till Wednesday. The Senate met, exchanged the compliments of the season, and ad- joarncd till Thursday. ‘The soft shelis held their primary elections last evening, in their respective ward headquarters, to ohoose delegates to the old and young men’s gene- yal committees; also members of the ward commit- tees, and delegates and alternate delegates, to at- tend the Soft Sete Convention, which isto assem- ble at Syracuse on the 10th ult. As the whole ar rangements for the affair were cut and dried, there was no trouble at the polls worth mentioning. ‘Last year the Custom House officers had a majority of ten in the General Committee, and it will be found that next year they will have even greater influence, as the Presidential wirepulling must be @one by skilful and willing hands. Tho names of delegates elect will be found in our advertising eglumns. We learn that his Honor the Mayor has concluded ‘$0 nominate Alderman Henry H. Howard to the office of Receiver of Taxes, in the place of Harvey Hart, ‘the. present incumbent. If any doubts remain as to the fate of the intrepid Arctic navigator, Sir John Franklin—whose exploits and cufferings have rendered his name more famous throvghout the world than will ever be that of the recognized discoverer of the Northwest passage— they will undoubtedly be set at rest upon the peru- wal of the narrative relating thereto, which we pub- Wish to-day. It is a briefhistory of the progress and results of an expedition sent out in 1854, under the command of Mr. James Green Stuart, a chief trader of the Hudson's Bay Company, to explore the region where it was supposed the remains of Sir John and his companions were to be found. The exploring party, after enduring the rigors of the extreme northern latitudes with incredible courage, suc- ceeded in reaching Montreal Island, where were found relics of the long-lost navigators, confirming the reports received from the Esquimaux by Dr. Rae, who was the first to publish the tidings of their fate. In connection with this subject we may notice the arrival at New London on Sunday of the English discovery ship Resolute, one of the vessels composing Sir Edward Belchor's squadron, sent out in eearch of Sir John Franklin, and which, having become locked in the Polar ice, was abandoned by thatofficer, She was fallen in with by an American whaler, the captain of which took possession of her. Her value is estimated at one hundred thousand dollars. Captain Belcher was tried by court martial, at his own folicitation, for abandoning his ship; and although not censured for his conduct, the tribunal to which he appealed, after a patient investigation, @id not justify it. We give elsewhere a report of the anniversary dinner of the New England Association, at the Delancey Honee, on Saturday. This Society repre- vents the Young America of Yankee-dom, and Giffers from the parent association, which only makes a grand demonstration once a year. The young men, on the contrary, have a library, reading rooms, &c., and have organized a society for mutual improvement and recreation, which we are glad to know is in 4 floarishing condition. ‘The Board of Aldermen met Inst evening. A pumber of important reports werg acteg on, the volved in the present matter will, doubtless, be brought before the Grand Jury. We give a report of yesterday’s evidence elsewhere. The Board of Supervisors met yesterday, but uo ‘ruminess of geweral importance was transacted. The sales of cotton yesterday reached sbout 1,500 bales, ¢he market closing firm. Common and ‘medium gredes of flour advanced about 6c. per bbl. }) Wheat sold only to a moderste extent, without change of importance in prices. Corn was lower, but tolerably active, the mazket having closed at about 9c. a 91c. for Western mixed.. Rye was in good export demand at $131. Pork was heavy, with moderate sales, closing at rates in favorof purchasers. Beef and laré were unchanged. Seles of sugar were limited. A small parcel of good to choige New Orleans, new crop, sold at Sic. a %c., and a small lot of choice Rio coffee at 124c. An ‘inveice of prime New Orleans, new crop, molasses, was sold, to arrive, at 49c. Freights to Liverpool were toleralily active, and among the engagements were about 50,000 bushels of cora and 2,000 bbls..of flour, at rates given in another column, To the Continent rates continued quite steady. The Birth of the Measiah--Revicew of the Events which Preceded and Followed it— Gar Own Destiny Pointed Out from the Earliest Ages. Onan anniversary which marks the grand- est epoch in the world’s history, and which is an occasion for joyful celebration throughout the entire Christian world, the mind naturally reverts to the remarkable chain of events by which the advent of our blessed Redeemer was heralded, and the systematic arrangement by which the providence of God made everything eonduce to that crowning manifestation of his In either speaking or writiag upon this theme, it is usual to take a strictly reli- gious view of the influence which Christianity has exercised on the social condition of man- kind. We purpose, for once, to deviate from thie time-honored custom, and to avail our- selves of the opportunity of casting a retro- spective glance at the world’s history, with the view of showing that the political revolutions and changes which are continually taking place in our own time, are only consistent fea- tures of that grand and comprehensive scheme of the universe which, from the remotest ages, power, has been gradually developing itself. There are not many minds which take the trouble of connecting the occurrences of dis- tant epochs with their every day experiences, or of deducing from them philosophical results. To but few readers of Biblical history, for in- stance, has it, in all probability, occurred, that the old Canaanite curse is as active in its ia- fluence in our own day as it was thousands of And yet there is no fact more Noah, it will be recol- lected, anathematised Canaan because he was associated in his father Ham’s crime of disre- spect. “Let God,” he said, “extend the pos years ago. easily demonstrated. sessions of Japhet, let Japhet dwell in the tents of Shem and Canaan be his servant.” According to Rabbinical tradition the patri- arch had divided the world amongst his three sons in order to repeople it, giving to Shem Asia, to Ham Africa, and to Japhet Europe. The prophecy had its accomplishment when the Grecian, and afterwards the Roman, de- scendants of Japhet made a conquest of Asia, which was the portion of Shem. It is curious to mark how through successive ages the con- ditions assigned by Noah to his children and their races have been fulfilled. Their de- scendants sepresented the three cuticular co- lors or complexions into which the human family was then supposed to be divided. The children of Japhet were white, those of Shem yellow, and thore of Ham swarthy, Accord- ing to the scanty geographical data to be found in the 10th chapter of Genesis, the country included between the Caspian and the Black Seas, and embracing Syria, was peopled by the Japetidw or white races, Arabia proper by the Shemide or tawny races, and the whole of the coast of Africa lying north of the great Sabara desert by the Hamide or dark races. When the 10th Genesis was writ- ten nothing was known of Hindostan, China, or the islands of the Indian Ocean, and of Europe little beyond the coasts of Peloponnesus and Thrace. Of the other divisions of the world including our own continent, it is of course unnecessary for us to speak, as they are in- cluded within the limits of comparatively mo- dern discoveries. If our readers wili take the trouble of glanc- ing at the map they will see how small a por- tion of the earth’s surface was comprised ia the world known to the Jews at the period referred to. Of this, although fewer in num- ber, the descendants of Japhet, the primeval filibuster and annexationist, obtained the mas- tery. From that time down to our own day, through all the changes that have taken place in the political arrangements of nations, the enrse of the patriarch has steadily vindicated itself. We find ourselves after the lapse of thousands of years, the unconscious instra- ments of its execution. Everywhere the white races are encroaching upon and possessing themselves of the patrimonial inheritance of the descendants of Shem and Ham. Ia this we see a striking iliustratioa of the providence of the Almighty, who, as Rollin finely expresses it, “Has from all eternity appointed the establishment, duration and destruction of kingdoms and empires, as well in regard to the general plan of the whole universe, known only to God, who constitutes the order and wonderful harmony of the several parts, as in respect to the establishment of the church, which is his great work—ihe end and design of all his other works, and ever present to his sight.” If we look back to the political mutations by which the early ages of the world were constantly disturbed, we will find the evi- dences of this fixed and uniform purpose, We are in the habit of attributing to the conquer- ors of antiquity an overweening ambition and telfish objects of aggrandisement, but the truth is that they were merely blind instruments in the hands of God for the accomplishment of a great end. The Assyrian and Babylonian monarchs, uch ag Peleser, Shalmaneser, Seana- cherib and Nebuchadnezzar, were simply the @reatures of his divine wrath, raised up to punish the the rapidity and magnitude of their conquests we recognise the divine will systematically directing the human mind towards one object. This accomplished, we behold the same omni- potent and all-forgiving Power breathing into the soul of Cyrus the inspirations necessary to of his people. In constitute him the deliverer of his people, investing him with the qualities necessary to the performance of his great task, and cen- ducting him step by step to its fulfilmen’, And s0 it was through every stage in, the history of the Jews, down to the pe- riod when it was considered that, the world was fully prepared for the ad'vent of by the union of the different na- tions through the medium of the Greek and Latin tonguee—a condition essen.tial to the general diseemination of the divine truth through tire preaching of the Apostles, Long previous te this gteat epoch in the world’s history, however, the descendants of the old filibuster had been accomplishing their destiny. By means of the invasion of Greece by the Hellenes, the victories of Alex- ander the Great in Asia and India, the conquests of the Roman proconsuls and emperors in Ger- many, Gaul and Britain, their power had been extended both east and west, and numberless races subjected to their domination. Chris- tianity imparted a fresh impulse and direction to it. Its divine light forcing its way through the darkness and ignorance in which the human race had been steeped, often preceded and paved the way for their encroachments, The gospel missionaries have in fact been generally the precursors of their invasions, and may be said to have constituted the vanguards of their armies. Even in China, where a system of rigid exclusion against other nations had from time immemorial been maintained, there .is reason to believe thut Christianity had pene- trated as early as the seventh century after the birth of our Redeemer. Although constantly proscribed and persecuted, ib has, if we are to credit the recent work of the French travetler, M. Hue, always succeeded in maintaining its ground there, and is probably the great political lever by which the Mantchou dynasty will be overthrown, and the domination of the white races established over that vast empire. In the history of British India we fiad the Messiah another marvellous exemplifics of the force of the patriarchal denunciation against the colored races. 1¢ is now about two centu ries and a half since the first modest commer- cial adventure which formed the basis of the East India Company set sail from Enyland. From that smal) beginning grew the colossal empire which Great Britain has gradually ac- quired in the East. When we compare the magnitude of the resulis thus achieved with the poverty of the means employed, h. we not aright to say that it is to the power of God, and not to the inherent force of man, they are to be attributed? The congnes: of Indie, with its countless populatious, by handfulls of troops, can in fact only be looked upon as another consistent feature in that grand scheme foreshadowed !» the patriarchal ana- thema, and which, as many believe, has for its final object the union of ai] branches of the human family by one faith and language. Wherever modern discovery has opened up new regions to the research and cupidity ot the white races, there we see the aborigines gradually submitting to their rule, or dying out before the influence of civilization. In the Asiatic archipelago, Australia and Polynesia, the colored race are obeying the conditions of the divine Jaw enunciated through the month of the patriarch, and yielding up their birth- right to a force superbuman is its nature, and against which there can be ne effectual resist- ance. And so it has been on our own continent, Ever since ita discovery, in the fifteenth cen- tury, the native races have not only been re- treating before the encroachmenis of the whites, but by some additional and inexplica- ble fatality, have gradually been withering and dying out whenever ibey have been brought in contact with them. Where the blood of the races has mingled, as in the case of the half breeds of South America, this process of ex- tinction has been arrested for a time, but de- generacy and feebleness are the inevitable con- dition of the amalgamation. When Anglo- Saxon energy is brought into more general competition with the enervated morale of the Central American and Mexican populations, it is probable that the latter will in their tura obey the eame ethnological Jaw which is anui hilating the Indian race. However this may be, it is certain that they will all, sooner or later, be brought under subjection to the des- cendants of Japhet. When, therefore, Euro- pean nations ridicule our popular political doctrine of “ manifest destiny,” they not only ignore their own history, but they wilfully close their eyes to the evidence afforded us by the Scriptures, that in acting upon it we are only fulfilling our share of the mission assign-s| cd to the white race. Accepting that mission in a)] humility and sincerity of faith, we will proceed confidently in the path chalked out for us, caring but little for the taunts and Jealous prognostications of those who have turned to profitless account for humanity the opportunities that the Almighty has placed within their reach. CuristMas AND NO Spraxer—Christmas is upon us, and Congrees, still without aSpeaker, has adjourned over—the Ho use til] to-morrow, and the Senate till Thursday--to celebrate this glorious anniversary of the Christian dispen- sation. The proceedings in the House yesterday render the solution of the ugly problem of the Speakership more difficult than ever. Tue motion to suspend the debate was voted down— the motion for the plurality rule was defeated by a decided majority; and with an experi- mental vote upon the main question, in which Banks fell down to 101, the House again igao miniously adjourned. We apprehend, from these data, that the case is out with Mr. Banks—shat the divisions against him are infusible and irreconcilable in his bebalf--that a majority for him is hopeless, and that a plurality will not be allowed; but that, asa last resort, the scattering anti-ad- ministration votes mutt fall in upon Richard- fon, or some other democrat. Without & pre- cedent in our history, this case will, at all events, be without @ parallel in its fina) settle ment, As it stands, we are prepared to enter upon the New Year without a Speaker, and to see the discussions upon the subject inflamed into a spirit of strife and bitterness ending in the most unexpected reeults. Meantime, for the relic! of thy President and KEW YORK BBRALD, TUBSDAY, DROEMB%R 35, 1866. Mons Fasmonasiz Rewicion—The Roman Catholics in the Second avenue, are getting quite as affected in their religious ideas as the Episcopalians on the Fifth. Vide the following advertisement:— Bg avenue, Mr. Badialf, the favorite baritone ringer of the American publle, and bis pupll, Mise Berndt, have kindly volunteered to assist the ofthe above church, be will commence in the morning at 103, 0’ evening at 7 o’elock. We should like to ask if the splendid bari- tone and his pupil are hired to worship for the entire congregation? Badiali has a good or- gap, and he can do it, no doubt. We presume that this entertainment in the Second avenue will draw quite as fashionable an audience as that at Grace Church, the programme of which we published yesterday. EEE THE LATEST NEWS. BY ELECTRIC AND PRINTING TELEGRAPHS, Arrival of the British Arctic Ship Resolate. New Haven, Dec. 24, 1855. ‘The British ship Resolute, abandoned in the Arctic ice, was brought by Capt. Budington into the port of New London yesterdsy, with all her armament, stores and equipments on board. She is a new and handsome ves- ve}, and worth $100,000, When found she hai drifted over a thousand miles from the place where she was abandoned, An effort will be made to bring her into this port. Horrible Murdex at New Haven. New Haven, Dec. 24, 1855. ‘The deid body of Justus Matthews, a workmann, was found this morning, in the western suburbs of this city. His throat was cut and his wrists weve tied. He was in the house of Rhoda Wakeman, and had been connected with a band cf Millerites, spiritualists, or something of the bind. Seven of hia brethren have been arrested on suspicion of having a hand in the murder, ‘and are nowin prison, Navigation of the Hudson River, Aunany, Des. 24, 1865. The river is clear of ice here, There ix some ice be- tween Coxsackie and Kingston, but not enough to pre- vent boats from running. The People’s Line of boats bar been laid up, The Hero left here at 3 o'clock fur New Youk, Death of an Exinent Boston Broker. Borrow, Dev. 24, 1855, P. P. F. De Grand, one of the oldest and respect- ed brokers of this city, died last night. On the an- nouncement of bis death tho Board of Brokers this morning adjourned till Wednesday. the delicate and perple~ issues pending be- tween'the’ administer dion a the British gov- ernment ; and bet seen the administration and Col. Kinney and Gen, Walker, down there in Nicaragua; 97a between the United States District Atte ney and Parker H. French & Co, here in N’ sy York, we do trust that when the House *'sall come together again to-morrow, all par’ gies will agree upon the expedient, at least , of a Speaker pro tem., in order that Mr. Pierce may be relieved of the arduous respoa~ ‘fbility of keeping the Message a secret, and that Wall street bulls and bears, and the whole country, and John Bull, Col. Kinney and Gen. Walker may know whether it is peace or war. Gov. Shannon having effected an armistice be- tween the belligerent armies of Kansas, we are relieved of our immediate apprehensions of the “border roffians ;” bat in Cushing, Crampton, Marcy, Walker, Kinney, McKeon, French, Jo- seph L, White, and all that crowd, “ our fears stick deep.” Christmas day and no Speaker! If such be the “ green tree” of black republicanism, “what hall we have in the dry?” If this be the pro- logue, what will be the millenium of Seward, Giddings, Weed and Greeley? Are we not upon the verge of a revolution? With this be- ginning, how long is this Congress to last? Bah! We turn from it to greet our readerswith a merry Christmas. Summing Up the Year’s Mistory—Interesting and Curious Catalogue of Foreign Events. In closing up the business of the memorable year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, we publish this morning an in- teresting catalogue of the leading misce)lane- ous events which bave marked its history among foreign nations, excepting the inci- dents and accidents of the Turko-Russian war, which we have reserved for a special chapter, to be published hereafier. We also reserve for another day the recapitulation of the prominent eventa, of all sorts, in our domestic history since our last annual publication of the same. In the foreign twelve months’ epitome, which we spread before our readers this morning,” there are some very curious and notable things. We find another Cuban revolution nipped in the bud, (including some bloody executious in the island,) through the extraordinary vigi- lance of Mr. President Pierce and his Cabinet; and we find our Commodore McCauley feted and treated at Havana like a prince, in con. sideration of the devoted loyalty of our gov- ernment to the interests of the Spanish crowa- We find Louis Napoleou in 1851 a special cousiable in London, dating in 1855 an imperial decree from Windsor Castle; and Queen Victoria doing penance for St. Helena at the tomb of Napoleon the Firat. We see the government of Sardinia annulling the privileges and ‘confiscating the properties of the Catholic church by wholesale; and the hitherto most reliable, devoted and infatuated Catholic government of Spain revolutionized hy the same heresy, and doing the same work of “robbing Peter to pay Paul ;” while the “perfidious House of Hapsburg,” faithlessin all things else, comes up at this crisis in a epecial and most remarkable “concordat,” to the ros- cue and the protection of the Moly Father at Rome. We look around us, and we see that military revolutions have been the general order of the day--that from Mexico down to Cape Horn our Spanish republican neighbors have been much more active this past year in cutting each other’s throats than usual, aad that the result is still the same—anarchy and continued civil war. In Nicaragua we find Col. Kinney and General Walker (expecially the General), making an excellent start in the introduction of the Anglo-American order of things, iv spite of the administration at Washington, and a man denounced by it as a filibuster, sending an alleged associate filibuster to treat with Marcy as the representative of a de facto sovereign and independent State. Whatever, too, may be the requisitions of the Clayton- Bulwer treaty, the Monroe doctrine, the Koszta letter, and Cushing’s letters on our neutrality laws, we can’t help thinking that this Walker and Kinney movement has yery much the look of “manifest destiny.” On the opposite side of the world, among the celestial anthropophagi of the Antipodes, we find the French bombarding Shanghao; the Americans and English fighting affectionate!y together in the extirpation of the pirates of the Malay sear, and the Chinese imperialists executing the rebels at Canton, (in quautities equal tothe hogs butchered in December at The Chippewa Indians. Wasmatox, Dee, U4, 1805. The delepation of Chippewa Indians, from Miouesota, had @ patient bearing this morning befyre the Commis- sioner of Indian Affairs relative to their gelevances. Weorher at Butfalo, Burraro, Dec. 2—9:20 7. M Weather moderate and calm, Leen snoxiag since tight o'clock this evening, and the promisox of #luighing are good. Markets. FUILADELPHIA STOCK BOARD. Puntapatvnats, Dec. 2A, 1865. Stocks doW. Pernsylvania State 5's, 8437; Keading Railroad, 483¢; Long Island Railroad, 1334; Morris Cannl, 13; Pewnsy!vania Railroad, 487%. The Christmas Piece st the Broadway « ‘Theaire, “King Charming,” a fairy extravaganra by J.B. Planché, war played last night to « crowded house. The piece wae Gra! played ot the Royal Lyceum theatre, Lon- ow, five years since, and is now re-produced at the Broadway, with some improvements and alterations in the text. Puns of mature age have been cut out, and tocal bite of to-day substituted, The story of King Charming—who wae changed inte a blue bird by a bad fairy, becnuse he wouldn’t marry her protege, bat re- maived faithful to his true love, sad finally succeeded in being sent by feiry exprons, with the rea) object of his adoration, to realms of rosewater fountains—is too well kxown to need repetition at our hands, Mr. Planché has dressed up the Countess D’Aulnoy’s plea sant legend with sparkling dialogue and taking songs ar sanged to popular airs. The adventures of King Charm- ‘ng, in numerous grottoes, palaces, fairy haunts, and other extraoréinary places, give an excellent opportani- ty for scenic effect, and the Broadway management have taken advantage of this fact to the fullest extent. In the first act we have a fine penorama, ty Heister, who, as a ashing and effective scene painter, has no superior. There is a little bit of moonlight effect on water and foliage, which is more like high art than anything we have ever teen in this style of work. Then there is a transforma- tion ccene which is very fine, and a series of movements by a Fairy Light Guard, composed of forty young women, who, in point of discipline, would be able to give a lesson cr two to some of our crack militia companies, The glory of the whole affair is, however, the last scone, the offect of which cannot be described. It is altogether new, and in the highest degree tastefal and brilliaut at the same time. AN that gaslight, gold leaf, gay coloring, many culoved fizes and a profusion of splendidly attired mon and women conkd effect, hae been done here. It there was nothing else worth seeing in the piece—and thore ia a great deal—this seene would amply repay one for sitting itout. It is alike creditable to the liberality of Mr. Mar- shal) and the taste of Mr. Blake. The mise en sone is beautiful throughout, and the dresses are superb. Wo have not spaee to enter into an analysis ef tho act- ing. Mrs. Watsop, who made her début here, looked pre‘tily a8 King Charming, and was dressed as we always Cincinati,) with Amerieans, English and } ‘ought rach kings ought to be attired—that is, without the rlightest regard to expense. The mannex in whichshe Fre Cc ci French complacently looking on. We find | .,, got up wae truly wonderful to behold. She abou! Johnny Bull upto his head and ears in his ware with the East India “border ruffians,” while Brother Jonathan is occupied in enforcing treaties with the Know Nothings of Japan, and American ladies are dancing in a temple of Japanese idols, with the faces of those wooden deities turned to the wall, that they may not blush at this desecration of their sanctuary by these beautiful “ outside barbarians.” We find our sailors relieving the shipwreeked Russians in the Japanese seas, and our merchant ships doing good service to all parties in this Russian war; for where there is cash, merchandise, or a market, there American enterprise “ goes in.” We find Commodore Breeze stirriug up a bluff British Admiral at Constantinople, and our Minieter at Athens hailed as a sor! of deliverer against the Turks and their allies, In casting about us for the natural pheno- mena ofthe past year, we discover by our re- cord that, like the nations around us, the “earth has been feverish,” excited and shaky. Our echedule of earthquakes will prove aa in- teresting study to Professor Meriam, and the accompanying volcanic eruptions, especially ‘«develope” a little more, both in singing and ~ sen Mire Manvers a9 Florina, sang her musi: very nicely—ia tect, he carried off the paluw, Mme. Ponisi and Miss Lit- tell acted with much splritand rim. The only fanit w> noticed wi © unavoidable ina theatre waere burlesq es are nos ally acted—that ie. the words were not rat- tled off qnite roplaly enough. The actors’ tongues will de witable encugh to-night, we will warrant. The piece went very smoothly for first night, and the second act wan especisily good, all the machinery work. ing vicely. It was a great success, frequently ana hear- tily applauded, end the mansger will be por ectly justt. fied ip pu'ting in a large line: “A blaze of triumph.’ It fs | that you can “take the children,’ and get reasonable hoar, Bowery Theatre—The Chip Boy of the Dry Dock. A new local drama of the above title was last night rro@uced at the Bowery thenire, which was filled from pittodome. A report having spread about the city in the afternoen, that Mr. Samuel Canty, author of a popa- Jar novel, slso called ‘ihe Chip Boy of the Dry Dock,’’ intended to bave an injunction put upon the performance of the drama, one of our reporters visited the theatre, tut feand that such was not the case. Nothing of the kind eccurret, and the play went off smoothly, without interruption. The drama, which isa very fair produo- tion, retains nothing im common with Mr. Canty’s novel, save the title and the names of the characters represent- ed. The plot is the sams as the generality of pisces of the sume stamp, There is a stera parent witha beauti ful daaghter, whe, a8 usual, dosa'at love the man her ; father desires, end f¥ consequently turned oat in Japan and the Sandwich Islands, will doubt- | or acors, to flow the fades the man less receive much of his attention. Inanda- } ot her cheice. The lovers are Guly wodded, and for tions, shipwrecks, storms, fires, explosions, | ®sbort time syend # very happy time togesher, A vil lain, who aleo loves the daughter of the stern parent, is plotting egainst their peace, end leads the husband to visious habits by inducing him to drink snd squander away his means im bar-rooms, lie. fc. wife endures 4 wonderful amount of misery, calamities falling in quick a one after ent and the sa are rednoed to the greatest poverty. In the proper time, however, the Villasy of the false fend te detened, the husbant tx ree formed, and everything terminates a it ought, in the triumph of virtae. Tommy Craig, the individual from whom the drama derives its name, bas very little to eay or do in the piece, finance, breadstuffe, &c., &e., fill up this most curious and memorable chapter in the history of the outside world for the twelve months now drawing to a close. We commend this summary to the attention of our readers. There is much in it worthy of, remembrance and reflection, and useful in guiding our speculations for the future. With the chapter in preparation on the Russian war, | 2¥t ‘s suppoved ‘0 bes very oxtariog, etl ter gro and the chapter we have also in progress upon | vaided, This character well ian C. a. The othe part Mr, and Mre, W. Wardand peng. respectably rendered our demestic affairs since the first of last Janu- ¢ other members of the com. ary. we shall have posted up the books for the year 1855,and be im resdinese to enter upon the “beavy business” of the momentous and still more important calendar of upon the threshold of which we are standing, with- out & Speaker, or asign ofa Speaker, without the President's Message, and without any very satisfactory proepect of ponte at howe or abroad, Watlack’a Theatre. Mr. Brougham's new barlerque “Pocahontas,” was suc. y produced last night, to a full howse. Itis fall n, and abounds in g New Cory Ieper. —We eee It stated that Charles *. Pea- body. Feq., has been appointed City Judge, to fill the va- caxcy wade by the resignation of Mr. Stuart. We think there murt te seme mistake inthis. We say that Joseph J. Chambers, £5q,, is the mea, THE CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL. How the Nativity of the Saviour was and 1s Observed—A Glimpse of Olden Times—The Observance in the City—Pium Pies, Piety, Poultry, Poetry and Prose. The birth of the Saviour, an event which occurred, if our current chronology is true, 1,855 years ago, will be celebrated in this city to-day with appropriate religiout rites and festivities, It ia s matter of some doubt with theologians whether Christ was really born at this time of the year or not, Many eminent antiquaries assert that this significamt event occurred in spring, at the time of the Feast of the Pass. over, while others again think the Feast of Expiation, that occurs in September, witnessed the advent of the Saviour. One of the reasons for supposing thet it did not occur in December is, that the mountains of Judea are im about the ame latitude as New York, and itis not to be sup- poned that the three wise men who saw the star in the Fast would do so unwise a thing as to be tending their flocks by the hillside, with the thermometer below the freezing point. However, wise men sometimes do very foohsh things: It was Pope Telesphorus who first de- signated the 25th of December as the exact period of Christ’s nativity; and however much historians and theo- logisns may dispute it, the populace believe it devoutly: and enjoy themselves immensely on i's annual return, It was at this time of the year that the Roman satar- nalia was held, when the passions of the populace were allowed to run riot, and drunkenness and free love to an unlimited extent were indulged in, That this is the sume festival we observe is evidenced by the fact that we recognize kindred customs and observ. ances. The decking of the houses and sacred edifices with evergreens, the yule logs, the eating and drinking, making of presents—all show it to be a continuation of the old saturnalia, The introduetion of Christianity, however, purged it of ita groveness, while retaining its Mindlier and more suggestive rites, and Obristmas with our forefathers was regarded not only as a season of mirth and rejoteing, but also as a time for devout and penitential emotions, It is almost impossible for an American to realize the strange superstitions and rites connected with this holi- day in the minds of Kuropeans, evpecially in Catholic countries, It faded on the crowing of the cock, Some ray, that ever 'guinst that season comes Wherein our Yaviouc’s birth is celebrated, This bird of dawning bees all night long : And then they ssy no spirit dares stir abroad; ‘The nights are whol a, then no plenet« sirtke, No fairy tekes, nor witoh has power to charm, So hallow’d aad so gracious is the time, It is, however, the most genial of all holidays, and its exsocistions are always pleasant, and are accompanied by festivities and tindly charities. The custom of ducking the churches, pntiic buildings and houses with Chrismas greens {s in old eye, ante- dating Christianity itself, The kit of evergceens used are the holly, ivy, cypress, bays, laurel and mistletoe. The Inst named was uever put up in churvhes, as it wae deomned w heatuentyh aud profane plunt, on acconnt of ite be'vg in euch favor with the Druids in thoir sored rites, It wan, however, hung up, mixed with white ter- vies, in kitchens, and whatever young female chencéd to stand under it, the young man present cither iad a right, or claimed one, of saluting her, and.of packing off we Darry ab eaob kedss, What, f ninmtor of deliguiful cam tome baye ‘allen into Gisuse, & be rare! With holly axd ivy, So gtepn aud #0 gay, We deek wp our bouress As fregh am the day; With bay and rosemary Aud leurel cousplote, «ne ” Te a king in comewit, Or 68 another otd writer bow i Lo, now is come out joyfal’st fost Let every man be joy; Fach roome with yule leaves is dseot, And every post with holly. Now all our neighbours’ chionees siwhe And Chrietmas blo:k# are burning; Their ovens they with bak’t mea! choke, And all their spite are turning. Without the doore let sorrow lie; And if for cold it hap to be, Wee'le bury’t in a Christmas pye And ever more be merry. The origin of Christmas carols is somewhat doubtful. Certain old fashioned religionists say that the Gloria in Becelsig wos the first, and that was sung to the Wise Men by the angels, when the star of the Fast was rising, but we won’t voucl > the story. In an old catalogue of Presbyterian docks occurs the following:—‘‘ A Cabinet of Choice Jewels, ov the Christian Joy and Gladnoss, tet forth in sans dry pleasant new Christmas carols, vit: A Carol for Christmas Day, to the tuse of ‘Over -Fidle and High Mountains,’ Christmas Dey at Night; to the tune of ‘My Life and my Death; for St, Stephitn’s Day, to the tune of ‘Oh, Cruel Bloody Tals}! for/New Year'e Day, to the tune of ‘Caper and Fich ip for Twelfth Day, to the tune of ‘0, Mother Rodger:?°f 2) The custom of giving Christmas boxedjw also an old one, and however pleasant it may be tothe recipient, it is certainly a great bore to those who have to contribate toit, If the poor always got the benefit ofthe gift it would be very well; but— Some boys are rich by birth beyond all wants, Beloved by uncles and kind, good 0! aunt When time comes round a Christiaas Dox the And one day makes them rich for all the year. But the most ewinently suggestive feature of Chrixtman fx the creature ccxs‘orte {t brings with it:— Now, thrice welcome Christmas, Which brings us gobd cheer, Mince pies ano plom porridge, wo and — beer; ih pig, coove and vapon, The best that raay ee So well doth the weather And our stomachs agree. All the associstions of this festival are of jolity ant feasting, and the cld books are full of stories relative to the goed time our ancestors had fa the way of choice eatin, They rerved up salmon, venison and wile. boars, By bundrede, snd by doxeus, and by souces. fegshends of honey, kilderkins of mustard, Muttons, and tatted beeves, and bacon swine; Herons and bitterns, peacocks, swan and bustard, Tea!, mallard, pigeons, wigedo», and, io fine, Plum puddings, pancakes, apple ples ond cnstard. And wherewithal they drank good Gercon wine, With meeé, and ale, and cider ot our own; For porter punch and negus were not known. Strange to say the Quakers, when they first came be- fore the public, were particularly zealous agatnet C! amas festivities, but more especially against « pie. A quaint old writer tates thet they against it as an invention of the scarlet whore bylon (the heretics); a hodge podge of superstition, Popery, the devil and all his werks.”” Buta truce to the past. Christmas, even with us, is franght with plessan’ associations, To be sure the yule log does not burn on the hearth, and the old wapersti- tions have nearly died out; yet it is still a carnival—a season of rejoicing, of friendly gifts which draw loving hearte nearer each other; and youth is gladdened while old age is pleaved by the tokens of frientehip and love that are interchanged. A walk through Broadway will ve sufficient to show that we are in the midst of the gay sensor. The windows fairly fash and glisten with the «plendid stores they con- tain. Here is jewelry the most costly, articles thet have taken cunning workmen months to fashion {nto their eu- ricus and Leautifal shapes, cilke and satias of wondrous texture and beauty, besides Li jouteire of ever dogs that bark es never dogs barked bef.re; deer that are very cheap; horses (hat sre always trotting and galloping Lut never advancing, but some of which will go very fast provided they are licked, not with the whip bat with the tongue; babies that never squall, and. pretty girls that can’t scold; elepbants on who ks it would be mporsible to get, ani gums and pistol that were never inter ded to go off; dolis that are undressed in the latest fashion; some of *hich look artivtic, aod others model artistic, besides others too numerous to mention. f course all this attracts the attention of the littl: onee, and the pockets of the dear pspas have to ‘‘euffer some” fn conrequence. But not only do the stores give evidence of the advent of Christmas: the markets, public buildings and churches also have donned a holiday costu ne—Christwas evergreen are everywhere to be seen. The morkets are bandsomely decorated with garlands aod fansifal devices. The pooltry, with which the stalls are overflowing, are bound with ribbons and mixed with rosemary and sweet herbs. We don’t apologive for mentioning the turkey and geere; it may be # “foul” subject, but then it is Christuas fair. ‘The theatres, the inside of the Roman Cathol!c and Episcopalian churches, and many private residences, ae also appropriately decorated with evergreens and flowers. There was high mass said at daylight this mornigg io many of the Roman Cathohe charchos, and this morsing services will be performed in them and in the principal Episcopalian churches. . al 1 'wenty. at wt St Slontans Cairpast toa ‘eltehy whan hcearts Grand Maep No. 12 will be performed with a doable choir and chorus, with additional organ accompaniments