The New York Herald Newspaper, December 25, 1860, Page 2

Jn many instances the privileg*s allowed to this merry despot were abused, and not unfrequently productive of fmmoraiity, ‘The institution ive f, even if we view it in {te most favorable light, is pucrile and ridienlous, adapted to the ages of ignorance, wh u more rational amusements were not Known, of at least not fashionable. A CHRISTMAS PAGEANT In the records of Norwich, England, we ‘ind the follow ing eccount of a Christmas parcaut, under date of 1640:—‘Johbn Hickwan, a worthy citizen, made dis. port with his neighbors and was crowned King of Christmas. He rod through the dressed forth in silks and Ouse led by twelve persons habjted as the iwelve months of the year, their costumes varying 0 reprxent the different seasons of Uhe your. After King Chro tas fliowed Lent, clothed in white gar trimmed with borring skins, on horse- Dack, the horse being decorated with trappings of oyster Bhells, being indicative that sadness aud a holy time Bhouid follow Christinas revelling, In this way thoy rode (hrough the city, agcompanied by numbers in va. rious grotesque making disport aud merrimont sotue clothed in armor, carrying staves and occasionally engaged in martial combat; others dressed as devils chased the people and sorely affrighted the women ant children; others wearing skin dresses and counterfeiting Dears, wolves, lions and other ani and endoavoring to imitate the animals they represented in roaring and raving, alarming the cowardly wad appalling the stoutest earts.”” THE MUMMERS, The wWaskers of ancieut times, or the mummers, as they tre called, were the never failing attendants upon Crist. at Bay, ond were the source of much innocent merrimont wad healthful laughter. They appear to have no espe cial councetion with the event celebrated at Christiaas, aad are probably of pagan origin; but at this soason all kinds of mirth appear to have been to) 1. Inia | true that the songs of these mummers had litte wisdom i them, and could only boast # very questionable kind still they were of immcase use, and their memo- rving of bigh respect. They evinced a joy- | ous and grateful spirit; they recognized the common bro- | te wus forgotten wud rhoed of and for ow z eines distinct anished, a e rich and the poor oe. | cupied a common I The good effects of tue celebration | of Clristmas are powerfully displayed in the following nar rative which we find iu‘ “durner’s His‘ gland”: — “Turing the s Orleans in 1428, the solemnities and | festivities of Christmas gave a short interval of repose. ‘the requesied of the French anders that they might have a night of minstreisy with trampets wad clar this was granted, and the horrors of war wore suspended by melodies that were felt to be delight- fu.” THE FETE DES ANES. Anciently a ceremony called the s des Anes" was celebrated in some parts of the Continent of Europe, of which no trace at present remains. The fete is thus de. neribed in the Gentleman's Mag —It was instituted virgin mother, but with cripture is by no means in honor of our Saviour aud bi reference to which event in clear (probably the tight into Egypt was the one commemorated). The ceremony was conducted by the bishops aud clergy of * Beauvais, who, from their manner, were without doubt actuated by sincere religion. They selected a fair young damsel, who rode through the streets mounted on a pal frey covered with svperd housings (we think this is a mistake—we believe an aas was the animal employed) and bearing an infant inher arms; the prelate following with his crozicr, and the ecclesiastics with tapers, till they reached the cathedral, whore the virgin was placed iu the banctuary. Maas wad Yon performed with the ac customed solemnity, at the conclusion of which th monks thrice imitated the braying of an xelaiming Hinham, ivstead of the usual Ite, missa et. Extravagant as this epectacle was, it united a splendor which excited the admiration of the people with a humility which awakened reai piety."’ An instance of the celebration of this festival occurred at Beanvais, tn 1225. MASQUE OF ST. @BORK There are some pastimes which, if not peculiar to this Beason, never fail tomake their appearance at jt. The play of “St, George” was, and still is, in some parts of Eng land, « g@Beral favorite with the juveniles at Christmas. It is very probable that this represevtation took its rise | “the Dole.”’ ‘They assumed various characters, grave as wellag | ealled ‘Going a 1 | | manner. NEW YORK HERALD, after whieh the verso ie chanted in chorus Then they + ringing of the bells of the church beneath them; and it dash the cider in the cow's fice, when, by a violent toss of her head, ehe throws the plum cake to the ground, and do! falls forward, it ls au ctsee that peat harvest will ood, if backward, that it will be unfavorable... This e commencement of tho rural feast, which is gene- rally prolonged (ul the (clowing evening.” ‘The 21st of December, or Si. Thomas day, is generally considered as the begiuming of the Christmas holidays, and in some places a morry peal of beils from the church on that day i called “rioging ia Christmas,” ‘This day may rather be distinguished a8 one of active preparations for the celebration of the coming solemnity, in reference to whieh the homely distich bas passed for centuries frou generation to generatiou:— St. Thomas divine, Yor baking, nnd brewing, and kHling fat swine. Several public charities are dispensed on this day in London and other places, to those deemed by the minister and cbureh wardens, or other parish officers, as worthy objects of charity. ‘There Is a practice common in Kent called “going a gooding,” which consists of sprigs of evergreens in lower being preseuted by poor women to their rich neighbors as 4 token of food will, and for these it is cnsiomary to present the donors with a gratuity of money iu recurn. In the same county the day is called “Doling day,” alluding, no doubt, to the offerings given by the poor to the rich, and which anciently were called In the Isle of Thanet there is a poculiar characteristic of this day—a musical procession, called | “Hodding,”” which name is probably derived from the ancient game of hobby horse. In Warwickshire the.poor wait upon the farmers and beg wheat, whieh custom is roing,”’ and in the County of Hertford and in Yorkshire a somewhat similar custom is ob- served; the day is, in these counties, called ““Mumping day.’ In Bedfordshire the poor are supplied with the broken victuals the day after Christmas day, Every country in Europe hus its special peculiarities, Our space forbids us to notice all of them; but the follow. ing bears 80 strong a rescanblance to the Lord of Misrule of ancient times that we cannot avoid meationing i¢— “At Selona, in Dalmatia, they elect a king at Christmas, whose reigu lasts only a fortnight; but, notwithstand- ing the short daration of bis authority, he enjoys several prerogatives of sovereignty; such, for example, as keep. ing the keys of the town, of baving & distinguished place in the cathedral, and of deciding upon ail the dilficultios or disputes which arise among those who compose bis court, ‘The town is olvtiged to provide him with « house suitable to the dignity of his elevated situation. When he leaves bis house he is always compelled to wear a crown of wheat ears, and he cannot appear ia public Without a robe of purple or scarlet cloth, and sur. rounded by a great number of officers, The Goveenor, the bishops and other dignitaries are obliged togive him a feast, and all who meet biu must salute him with respect. When the Cortnight is at an end, the king quite his palace, strips off his crown and returns to his hovel. For a leagth of time this pantomimical king was chosen frou amongst the wobles; at present his elec tion has devolved upon the lowest of the people."* ‘There is 4 custom practised in Sweden of hanging up in frout of every house, at Christmas, a small sheaf of wheat for the winter provision of the birds, who would withqut this supply perish with cold aud hunger amid the incle- mencies of a Northern winter. In reference to the Chrit- mas celebrations of that country, Longfellow tells us that “the Swedish peasants dance on gtraw, and the peasant girls throw stra at the timbered roof of the ball, and for every one that sticks in the crack shall a groomsmen come to their wedding. Merry Christ. mar, indeed! For pious souls there shall be church songs and sermons, but for Swedish peasants, brandy and nut brown ale In wootem bowls, and the great yule cake, crowned with a cheese and garlanded withapples, and upholding « throe-armed candlestick over the Christ- mas feast. They may tell tales, too, of Jons Lunsbrack- er and Lupkenius, and the great Riddar Finke of Pigs- aga.” ‘The Christmas ceremonics of the Greeks are thas de- scribed in “Swan's Journal of a Voyage to the Mediter- ranean;’’— “Their churches are adorned in the gayest entered one, in which 4 sort of rareo show from the Crusades, and that it was performed goon after | h the per the termination of those religions wars. B formance of this old drama,and that of the were made by bands of young men, who went from house to house for the purpose. “St. George” is still play ed in the western and northern counties of Englund, and a version of it is known in Ireland. Great variations of it, however, exist, and passages are introduced iv the most neonsistent manner, and Napoleon, the Duke of Welling ton, Alexander the Great, General Wolfe, and Oliver Cromwell, have, in different districts, found @ plece in the play CURIOUS CUSTOMS. Among the Curistmas customs that are still in vogue in, had been set up, illumed wit® a multitude of candige. ‘The subject of it was the birth of Christ, who was repre- sented in the background by a little waxen figure, wrapped up in embroidery, and reclining upon an em- broidered cushion, which rested upon another of pink | satin; this was supposed to be the manger where he was Mummers," | born, Bebind the image two paper bulls’ heads looked | wnutterable things. On the right was the Virgin Mary, ‘and on the jeft one of the Eastern magi. Pa per clouds, in which the paper heads of nsumber- Jess cherubs appeared, enveloped the whole; while from & pasteboard cottage stalked a wooden monk, with dogs and sheep, and camels, goats, lions and lambs; here walked a maiden upon a stratum of sods and dried earth and there a shepherd, flourishing aloft his pastoral staif. ‘The construction of these august figures was chiefly Dutch; they were intermixed with china images and miserabie daubs on paper. In the centre a real foantain, various countries we will first mention those of Ragland; | im miniature, squirted forth water, to the ineflable delight ‘and in no part of that kingdom are the festivities of | of crowds of prostrate worshipperd.’? Christmas more observed than in Yorkshire, There, if | The Germen popular customs of Santa Claus, the Christ- anywhere, we find a shadow of the anciont splendor and | mas stocking and the Christmas tree, are pretty weit ua- more than a shadow of the ancient hospitality. ‘The good | derstood in New York, and in mumeroug instances ob- cheer provided at Christmas is of no stinted quautity, ‘The Christmas pie, generally composed of a goose or two, with half « dozen fowls, &c., is a standing dish; aud yule cake and cheese are in general request, both theraand in tho neighboring county of Lincolnshire. The yule log, or Christmas brand, and the Christmas candle, are still Aighted, and the dish of furmety smokes upon the board. It used to be the custom for the bakers to present each of their customers with a smull went of wheat on Christmas Eve, and for chandiers to present them with a candice. ft is to be Tegretied that these gifts are im many places now aban doned, as it was very often the only time of the year that the poor were enabled to enjoy the laxury of a good candle. We have witnessed in Yorkahire the performances of Mumunors, and the play of ‘St. George,”’ as also a curious ceremony called the “Old Horse." Present time still popular in the county of Kent, where it This latter i¢ at the | little distance from the wall, served. However, we may give in this conucetion a de- eeription by Coleridge of @ Christmas celebration at Ratzburg, in the North of Germany, as it somewhat dif- fers from the manner of observing the same here. He says: — ‘There is a Christmas castom here which pleased and interested me. The childrem make little presents to theiy parents and to each other, aad the parents to their children, For three or four monthe before Christmas the pre- | girlsare all busy, and. the boys save up their pocket the | monoy to buy these presents. What the present is to be 1s cautiously kept secret, and the girls havea world of contrivances to conceal it—such as working when they are out on Visits, and the others are not with them; get- ting up in the mornigg before daylight, &c. Thea, ow the | evening before Christmas day, ope of the parlors is lighted up by the children, into which the parents must bot go. A great yew Dough is fastened on the table at a altitude of little tapers are dixed in the bough, but pot so as to burn it till they Js called “a hoodening,”’ from the principal character, | are nearly cousumed, and colored paper, Sc., hangs and which is “4 hooden,”” of wooden horse. ‘This ceremony | utters from the twigs. Ws thus performed:—A party of the youthful portion of the community, generally ploughboys, having manufa tured « wooden imitation of » horse's head, aillx it to a pole about four feet in length; a string is them attached to the lower jaw, and a borse cloth is tied round Sbe extreme port of the head, one of the party is concealed. This personage, by re- peatedly pulling aad loosening the string, causes the jaw 40 rige and fall, (hue producing s snapping sound ae he moves along, the rest of the party follow in succession, Brotesquely habitet, and ringing band bells. order they proceed from house to house, singing carols ‘and ringing their bells, and aro generally remunerated | and that which was moet faulty in their conduct. for the arawement they create by « largesse of money or | merly,and still in all the smaller towns and villages beer aud cake. A similar ceremony , also «till to be found in Yorkshire, ‘wad called the “Cld Ram,”’ cansiate of « wooden ram'* bead, (0 which are attached natural horns: « Jong cloth is appended theret», under he performer, who goes ou’ all fours, is con Cealed, The amusement oonsists in tho performer but Bing up against the spectators, whilet his companions sing Baitty Which specially belongs to this performance In the extreme Weat of Roginnd there is a custom of | saluting the apple trees, which is thus deseribed — “Im | the parents he gives them the inteuded presents, ae if ome places the parishioners walk in procession, viaitimy Ghe principal orchards in the parish. in exh orchard one tree tt selected as the representative (the rest. this Ss salated with a certain form of worts, whieh heve in | Bem the air of au incantation, They then either aprinkte | he tree with cider or dash a bowl of clter agunst a, to Ansure its bearing plentifolly the emeaing yerr. In other | places the farmer and his servants only aes ymble occasion, and after immersing apples in cider hing them 60 tho apple trees. They then sprinkle the tome with wider, and after uttering 4 formal imeunty they ance round it (or, rather, roand them), ad retarn to he farm house to conclude these svlerm rile wich oop) ous draughts of citer Another curious imtance of incwutation if this de keribed an a Christmas ¢istom whieh i# comma in Here Tordghire:——“Om the eve of old Christmas day there aro ‘Phiftcen fires lighted in the corndetie of meay of th farms, twelve of them in « circle and one rout « auch Janger and higher than the rest, amd im the centre ‘Whése drew are dignified with the names of the Virgia Mary aud twelve Apostles, the lady being ia the middie, and while they are burning the leborers retire into some whed or outhouse, where they behold the brightness Sho apostolic fame. Into this shed they leit a cow, on whose horns « large plum crke has beea tick, ant hav ing assembled round the snimal, the oldest laborer takes & pail of cider and addresses the following liar to the ©0w, with great solemnity — Here's to ty face, © hora, sad ty Sovwtae 6 gd Chip of corn Wheat, rye and Darley, and all eorts of gain, Aad nest year, we tee wl deine Ne beneath Which | present them with kisses | for the children, A scene of more sober joy succeeds, | #8 on this day, after an old custom, the mother says Ta this | privately to each of bee daughters, and the father to his | all the parents to some one fellow, who, in high busking, | S white robe, a mask, «nd an chormous Bax wig, per which | Christmas night he goes round to every house, and says | parents and older chiktren receive him with great pomp | they should have been bad children, he gives the parents a rod, and, in the name of his mister, recomurends them to use it frequently. old the children are let into the seeret,and it i curious how faithfully they keep it Bole, | enristinas eve, new style, visivad Under this bough the ebiidren lay out in great order the presents they mean for their parents, still coucealing in their pockets what they intend foreach other. Then the parents are jutroduced, and each presents his little gift. They then bring out the re mainder ove by one from their pockets, and and embraces, * * ¢ On the next day, Christmas day, in the great parlor, the parents lay out on the table the presents sons, that which they have observed most praiseworthy For- thronghout North Germany, these presents were seat by eonates Kneebt Ropert—that is, the servant Rupert. On that Jesus Christ, his master, seat him thither. The and reverence, while the little ones are most terri- bly frighteved. He them inquires fue the children, and according tw the charneter which he bears from they came out of heaven (rom Jesas Christ. Or, if When about seven or eight years CHRISTMAS SCFERSTITIONS. There are some curious superstitions in some parts of ‘Fogland in reference to this season. A potion prevails in Tevonshire thet at twelve o'clock at night, on Christmas eve, the oxen in their stalls are always fount on their knees ‘sen attitude of devotion, and that— which i mote singular—sinee the alteration of the style they continue to do this only oo the eve of oli Christuse day. It ie also believed that a noted thorn at Ghermbary blossoms on the latter day. An ofbOot from this tree, which hed Woon tranaplanted 10 another part of England, was once, on vy above two theagand With enterms amd candies, end nding no apport. whee of and, jt wae agreed by all Gut Deewmber 25 new style, could not be the right Chris day, and consequently they refused going to choreh. Yue withir became so serious iu the neighborhood that the minicters of the varios churches, inorder to appease the p opts, thonght \t prudent to give notiee that the old Oheictass diss ohonld be kept as before, Ins part of Nottinghamshire suere it a valley, ead to have been caused several hundred yeurs agoby an cart quake, whch swallowed up a whole village, together a th the chore 1 need 10 be the castors for poople ts acembl a this getang My waz | eusia fe the | Malaated ‘Was positively seserted that they might be heard by putting the ear to the ground anc hearkeuing attentively It is believed in some places that the bees sing on Christ- mas eve; and iv the mining districts the workmen de- are that High Mass is performed with the greatest so. lemnity ov that evening in the mine which contains the moat Valuable lode of ore, aud which is supernaturally lighted up witb candles iu the most brilliant manner, and the service chanted by unseen choristers. There ia a remarkable connection b ween the belief of the oxen kneeling and that of some Car'-tian Indtans meutioned in Hewison’s “Sketehes of Upper Canada,” After telling us that Le observed am Indian oreepiy stealthily along on a beautiful moonlight Christmas eve, who made signs to him to be still, he adds that, on ques tioning the Indian as to the cause of his conduct, the other replied, ‘We watch to see the deer kneel; (his is Christmas night; and all the doer fall apon thoir knees to the Great Spirit and look up.”” CHRISVMAS PARE IN THE OLDRN TIME, Who is there that bas not heard of the famous boar's head which in former times was an invariable dish ata Christmas tablet We have, in several old authors, r ferences to the honor paid to this dish, and we are i formed that it was adorned with evergreens and brought tw the table with music and dancing. This custom is still observed in Queen's College, Oxford, and tradition repre- sents this usage as a commemoration of an act of valor, performed by a student of the college, who, while walk- ing in the neighboring forest of Shotover and reading Aristotle, was suddenly attacked by a wild boar. The furious beast came, open mouthed, upon the you'h, who, however, very courageousl;, and with a happy presence of mind, is said to have “rammed in the volume, sad cried Grecum est, fairly choking the savage with the sage As we have stated, in some parts of England the Christ- mas pie is ‘an institution.” It is generally composed of geese, chickens, game, tongues, &c., and it is 80 spiced ihat it will keep for several weeks. It is, during the Christ mas season, placed on a side tabie, ready to suffer the at tucks of all comers. A mammoth specimen is thus de seribed in an English newspaper of 1770:—*‘ Monday last was brought from Howick to Berwick, to be shipped for Lon. don, for Sir Henry Grey, Bart.,a pie, the contents whereof are as Pollows, viz:—two bushels ef flour, twenty pounds butter, four geese, two turkeys, Lwo rabbits, four wild ducks, two woodcocks, six snipes and four partridges; “Iwo neats'f tongues, two curle Dlack birds and Six pigeons, It is supposed a very great curiosity was made by Mrs. Dorothy Patterson, housekeeper at Howick. It was nine feet im circumference at bottom, weighs about tweive stones, will take two men to prosent it to table; it id neatly fitted with a case, and four small wheels to facilitate its use to every gest that inclines to partake of its contents at table.’ CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK. As might be expected from the present troubled aspect of political affairs, in no department of business has thore been that extent of preparation for the Chrisimas holi- days that is usual at this season. Truo, the retail wade of the metropolis has scarcely suffered, when compared with the great prostration which has befallen many branches of wholesale business. But still, people have not got so much money to spend on Christmas pre-onts as in former years, or if they bave, they think it more prudent to husband it for expenditures of more real importance. The retail dealers seem to have a realizing sense of this fact, and to have made their preparations accordingly. ‘The well known-stores of A. T. Stewart, Lord & Taylor, Arnold & Constable, Lambert, Beekman, Bulpin, Albert Wise, W. R. Roberts, and many others on Broadway, Canal street and the Bowery, are filled to repletion with desirabie goods for the holidays, and bave been crowded with customers for several weeks past; but as a gone- ral thing goods are sold at greatly reduced prices. Some of the retailers say they have never done botter than during the present sea-on, and none of them complain of any great falling off in the trade, ‘The principal dealers in millinery , artificial fowers, &e., report a great falling off in the retail trade, amounting to at least thirty-three per Many of the muilliners have been obliged to discharge a portion of their girls, but this has mot been universal. In some establishments there has been no reduction of hands. The near approach of the holidays, too, and the fine weather of the first part of this week, seem to have stimulated the trade to some extent. ‘The large jewellers report a considerable falling off in their trade compared with this time in previous years, People do not buy near 80 freely a8 usual. They have a very large and splendid stock of goods suitable for holi- day presents, but still have not made that display for the holidays which they would have done in ordinary times. During the jast week or two the difference has been most marked. People who usually buy articles worth $50 and $100, this year content themsefves with articles that can be ought for $10, $20 and $60. There is this advantage, however, attending purchases made ‘this season. The prices of many articles of jewelry and Lijouterie have been much reduced, 90° that for $15 and $25 one can now buy articles that in ordinary times would be held at $25 and $35. In pictures, picture frames and jooking glasses, the trade seem to have suffered greatly from the oxiating po- litical troubles. At eight of the principal places in the city where large and elegant mirrors and frames for pic- tures are made and sold, we learned that the business is nearly at a stand still; that usually at this time of year ‘they are busy and have plenty of orders for work ahead; but that now their orders, even for city sapply, have greatly fallen off within four weeks past; and that many large orders, given say two weeks ago, bave been coun- termanded withiz the last four or five duys. The photographic, ambrotype and daguerreotype ar- Liste also feel the effects of the financial pressure to some: extent, though uot so largely. The business of some of ‘the galleries on Broadway has fallen off from a quarter ty abalf of their usual number of pictures taken. Other galleries, however, have not suffered near so much. Brady still keeps on the even tenor of his way, Bis rooms being as crowdeden ever. ‘The importations of foreign crockery were very large during the last year, and the sales comparatively smal. ‘The importers and dealers, therefore, have found them. selves, since the beginning of the present troubles, with a large stock on hand and no purchasers. In this dilemma they have adopted the only expedient in their power. This is to take off ai! their profit, and to sell their goods at a price that will merely cover the cost of importation. The trade in furs, buffalo robes, biankets, &c., uaually briek before Christmas, has not been so this season. Many people, instead of buying new furs for their wives, robes for their sleighs and blankets for their horses, have contrived to make their old ones last one more winter. ‘We learn from the principal dealers i the city that the ales of furs and buffalo robes have fallen off {rom thirty- three to fifty per cent during the last five weeks, com- pared with the corresponding five weeks of former years. Blankets seil better, for no humane man will let his horse suffer tor want of one. There is one fact in regard to furs, however, which people will do well to remember. The dealers in furs are selling now at the lowest possible figure, becanse they are anxious to turn their goods into money, on which they can make much more than by keeping their stocks; and next year, on account of the rise in fars in Europe, they will be much bigher here ‘than usual, In toys and fancy goods there is considerable activity, and ample preparations have been made for the holidays. We learn from three of the largest wholesale dealers in toys that their sales to the retail dealers have been nearly if not quite as large as iv former years The re tail deniers in the city generally say that they are selling this year cheaper toys, and much fewer expensive ones than sual ‘The dealers in confectionery report a buay season, and are doing about as much as ever. The dealers in fruits give varied reports. Most of them, however, say that the trade is not so good as in former years at this season. ‘The dealers ig wines and brandies report a dull season, almost without exception. bi TRINITY SUNDAY SCHOOLS’ CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL, The sweet chimes of Trinity church belle, sounding through the nmosaring crash of Browtway yesterday af ve ternoon, told that CBristmas wus at band, and assembled the chikiren of the Trintty Sunday schools to receive their customary Christmas @ifts Every Curistman eve | the chitiren assemble with their tiachers and friends; the ladies of the congregation provide some little gif for each; the euildren sing, aud an addres is delivercd to them by one of the pastors of the chureh. This was (he programme yesterday. Yesterday the interior of the eburel was decked with evergtcens wreathed about the pillars and festoouing the reading desks, ‘The vast @ilicr was mustes! with the hom of children's voices, The blaze from the Christmas (roe poored through (he half open floors of the porch, in which it wee caneesied, The Chanesi war ity was | tapers wi row fae TUESDAY, DHOEMBER 25, 1800, _ stained windows the fight flooded the upper part of the burch with a golden glory, and danced in fantastic, vart colored shadows upon the opposite wall. Gradually the church fled up, until only the contre aisle was kept clear. Bishop Potter, Dr. MeVicker, Drs, Vinton and Ogilby, Rev. Messrs. Sarrington and Dix, and other pro mio nt members of the clergy, appeared, and the services | began—Mr. Chase presiding at the Melodeon, Mr. Cutler at the grand organ and Mr, Aliffe at the chimes. ‘ihe Rev. Mr, Sarrington read the evening prayers, the Rev. Dr. Ogilby the lessons, the Rev. Mr. Dix the creed and conc! ading prayer, and the children sang the Cantate Dumino and the Denedice Anima Mea; and it was quite a Christmas festi val by itself to step away from the bustle and roar of Broadway to (he peaceful, quiet evening service. ‘The Roy. Dr. Ogilby said that, for the information of those friends who take an interest iu the Sunday school, he would swy that during the last year four hundred children had beon instrncted in the schools with the church, by forty teachers, Jeet it should be s\pposed that the children were gathered merely by the feast on St. Barnabas: wished to state that Fete cby Be ‘careful in the dis- tribution of their gifts; and at these times there seomed, of course, @ disposition to swell the numbers of the school, yet gifts were only given to those who had attended for a certain period. If the homes of thése poor children could be seen, all would be were given thie ray of Christinas light to-day. the ‘ts of the teachers been unbiessed by God. Dur: the last year twenty-five of the Sunday school childre: become the children of God, and coming before the Bishop had renewed the vows made for them in baptism, it amly remained for him, on bebalt of the children, to thank the Bishop, the clergy and tue corporation of the church for thelr Christmas gifta; she tone iting in the chorus, tho Rev. Dr. Vinton said:—God is love;’’ so says the Evangelist St. Jobn in the chapter read im this eon ng’s lesson, and rep, all the uni this is what Christuvs dec! In th» God's love is we bis 9 ~wyscar. We love ‘oot loved us." Christmas tells ug Chit ¢ world. Who was caida like'a bero,« warrior. or Jise a man of mature years? No, he was born + 4, as we were. He came as a chi) Christos tolls us that God is love, beca we Chrie. Wuem came to manifest his love for ua, In bia was boru the socoad Adam, the new head of our rac. He encompare: > in his love all men. None are so low that they cannot ¢ | him brother; noue so high that they cannot be laine the same remtion, Aad waen you read the getioa..y oi Christ—and 1 know children don't like to read that port of the Soripture—you will find that among Christ's éoccsto s wore men of all nations, and some Who bag cow /aiited (ae worst of crimes. ‘This was so in order tbat ali classes and conditions might ve en compassed in the sweep of his merey. St. John tells us that because Christ loves us we ought to love one another. That is why Christmas 1s 80 giad @ day. On thet day the angels sang “Peace on earth and good will men.’ Youand 1, and the child- ren of Africa, arc #)/ke brothers, and when we are regoue- rated and admitted vw Christ's brotherhood by baptism we are nearer brothers and heirs of Heaven. Just what baptism tells to the church, Christmas Day tells all the world. This is why we like to be children again to-day. ‘This is why this great assembly comes together every Christmas to join in your songs. AS we are but “children of a larger xrowth,”’ and as “the child is father of the man,’ so we de.ght to come here and furget our cares; to forget the civud at the South, once no bi (ban a man’s hand, but now frowning over the whole hea- vens; to forget the i sullenly bow oy the ‘North; and leaving all t ings with the- who “‘doeth all things well,” to come here with the children and thank God that Christmas comes at least ern ‘This is why Christmas is a feast day; why thore should be no tears vow; and why we love God and our brethren So we become reconciled each to tho other; 50 all anger departs; and so, giving to those who are poorer than We, all delight to see the poor come here to-morrow morning to receive their Christmas turkeys and dinners by our alme. There are your bishop; your venerabie friend, Dr, MeVieker, one of the old prosbyters; the younger clergy and the chorister boys, and here are the children; now let us all sing together the Trinity Christ- mas carol, while the organ and the chimes join with us. The congregation then sang, with fine effect, the follow: ing:— CHRISTMAS SONG. THe CHLDREN IN THE TRMPLE. Words by Rev. Dr. Ogilby; Music by Mr. Cutler. ‘Horanna to King David's Son, from the throne; Tn Christmas songs we bail His birth: Who brought salvation to the earth. Chorns.—Hosanna to King David's Son! (Organ) Hosanna to King David's Sou! Hosanna ip the highest! (The chimes.) Choir,—Hosanna he newborn child, Of virgin ther, meek and mild; In manger cradle see Him laid, whom the carth and heavens were made. nna to the Wenderful! Organ.) Hloranna to the Vonderful! Hosanna in the highest! (The chimes.) Choir, —Hosanna to the incarnate Word, In Bethlehem born! The mighty God ! Our hearts and tongues with joy should raise ‘Their glad bosannas to His praise | Chorvs.—Hosanna to the mighty God. Hosanna to the mighty ; Hosanna in the ’ (The chimes.) Choir.—With shepherds an Judea’s plains, With in their nobler strains , joyful rise ‘To join the anthetns of the skies ! Chorus. —Horanna, everlasting Father. tather Hosanna, pan: ; Hosanna in the highest ! (The chimes.) Choir.—Lat every nation, every voice, In Christmas Sie rece ceer © . Hosanna in the highest! chimes. At the covelusion of the singing the Rev. Dr. MeV: ¥ el then flags apd illuminated lanterns, urrounded bj of candies, dolls, skates and toy#, and as each igs lighted up with joy as the gifts wore distributed, as if catching ‘en canabt the inteet and phe andy en, ings; and the reporters—the ouly persons who packages ef candion Kindly" donated Uy" the ladle an Paskeaees of endies donated by the and felt as childishiy merry as they looked. PREPARATIONS FOR CHRISTMAS IN BROOK- y LYN. Fulton street and the other principal thoroughfares of Brooklyn presented quite an animated appearance last evening, fron the dense throngs who wero making their accustomed Christmas purchases, The butchers, poul- terers, grocers, confectioners, liquor and toy sellers, in particular, were extepsively patronized, and many of these places of popular resort, on the eve of the highest festival im the Christmas calendar, were filled to over. flowing till a late hour. All along the sidewalks heads of fwmilies, aud the junior members thereof, might be seen hurrying along with buge joints of moat, turkeys, ducks and other poultry, together with the necessary adjuncts, for the aceustomed feast, under the family roof-tree. Not were the fuveniles forgotten, to judge by the myste- rious brown paper parcels which could be discerned, ear- and 80 eheay very face bore a smiling countenance, in Of the pleasures of to-morrow, both on the Part ot the givers and o€ the receivers of the recus- tomed gifts. To. judge by the preparations that were eed tad s 's Work of it, tra. houretops and See are and bis may weil be ted to soot Ds the Beh are eee Seah to ‘one tithe of alone, he will have More stupendaous miracle that any attriba. It would, however, be mumeroas: 's whieh he “ne gh Vy ‘Ue Juvenile re: cipients, m order to is lusioe making the wari oemarates ate eee of r SS constrnetivenes, {icy arena, with hem OC Retin mp ee o€ the tin trusnpeds, Dlown 6F urehias, ambitious to male Before How. Judge Hilton. THE WINKBURGH JEWELRY « (Sm. Dee, 24—The plainti® in this ease caused the ab rest of the defendant on the charge of converting » quantity of jewelry belonging to plaintiff to hie own use, ‘The defendant moved to be discharged on the ground that the 'y in question was dispowed of by him as nent in € ia, ond that be had paid all thet was dae to the plaintiff. ‘The toatter was decided by Judge Milton. reduciag the pg teil to $1,090, and (Re order oo serra FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIA' Monpay, Dec, 246 P. M. The bank statement of to-day compares as fol- lows with that of last week:— Week ond’ leans. Xe Lee. 1b fist 40,172 Dec, 24... 182,162,200 Increase $412,127 Decrease This increase of specie is more than was ex- pected, considering the difficulty which has arisen in relation to the deposit of the British gold which has been received here. ‘The increasé of loans is small; that of deposits is large. The statement, as a whole, is strong, and indicates a position which renders it certain that, unless actual civil war should break out, our banks are in no danger. Money is unchanged. The market would pro- bably have been eusier but for the disquiet pro- duced by the disclosures of the great robbery at Washington. Russell & Co.'s drafts on the Secre- tary of War, accepted by Mr. Floyd, have long been familiar to buyers of paper; they used to sell with difficulty at one per cent a month when mo- ney was worth seven per cent per annum. We quote, as before, call loansG a7 per cent; first class paper, 1 per cent « month ‘The foreign exchange market is steady. Bankers are buying mercantile exchange at 103@ %, and selling their own bills at 10434 a 105. Francs | range from 5.38724 @ 45. There was very little done on the Stock Exchange to-day, partly in consequence of the approach of the holidays, and partly from the shock given to | confidence by the robbery at Washington. The | bears had many stories about members of the Ca- binet being implicated in the affair; Mr. Floyd’s resignation was positively announced, and Mr. ‘Thompson's and Mr. Cobb's names were mentioned in the same connection in severe terms. This talk had the eflect of causing a decline in State and the specniative railway stocks, After a dui day the munket closed weak, the following being the quo- tations 6's, 78.479; Tennessees, 75 a 77 | a €8; Canton, 14; Cumberland Coal preferred, 8 a | “43 Vacitie Mail, 82 a 83; New York Central, 74% | a %; Erie, 34a 24; Hudson River, 42%, a 43; Har- jem, 14a ¥4; do. preferred, 34a Reading, 35.0 24; Michigan Central, 48% a 74; Michigan South- etn and Northern indiana, 137, a 14; do. guaran- teed, 31% a $2; Panama, 117 a 117; Illinois Cen- tral, O44 a Galena and Chicago, 6444 a 4; Cleveland and Toledo, 1834 a 5; Chicago and Rock Island, 60 # 34; Chicago, Burlington and Quincy, 62 Cirewat’a. ‘The topic of the day is the great robbery of the Indian Trust Fund bonds in the Interior Depart- ment at Washington. Very little is known in Wall street beyond what was stated in the Heratp this morning; but the street is full of rumors. ‘The idea seems to prevail that the clerk Bailey is not the real principal in the affair, and that his name is being used to screen more conspicuous personages. We'presume that the matteg will be thoroughly sifted at Washington, and that the true offenders will be detected and punished. To- day William H. Russell, of the frm of Russell & Co., army contractors, of St. Louis, was arrested on charges growing out of the robbery, and sent to Wachington. It is evident that several per- sons must have been concérued in the robbery. There is a good deal of specu- lation in the street as to the amount stolen; judging from the free supply of all Kinds of State and United States stocks of late, it seems quite possible that the amount abstracted may prove as large as was stated by our correspondent—three millions of dollars. In looking back through the reports of sales on the Stock Exchange, it appears that the heaviest sales of State stocks took place during the ten days previous to the election. At that period there was a very large short interest, which was predicated on the probability of poli- tical trouble resulting from the election of Lin- coln. This intercst became exceedingly profita- ble through a collapse in the market, which was mainly superinduced by heavy offerings of State stocks for cash. These offerings cre- ated the greatest surprise at the time. No was coming from. It was conjectured by some that the bears had discovered some nest of stock, and were borrowing to break down the market. But the immense quantity of stock sold from day to day was difficult to reconcile with this theory, and people at last came to the conclusion that the public must be selling. This inference had much to do with the stock panic. As all facts bearing upon the matter must be of service to the govern- ment, we subjoin the principal sales of State stocks for cash at the Brokers’ Board during the ten ont. $64,000 “sim ioe “s aajo00 afouo 41,000 18,000 3.000 4,000 18,000 pos 16, 6,000 4,000 23 is is 62,000 — = 223,000 83,000 32,000 We have not included in the above table the pri- vate sales of the State stocks we have mentioned, or the public sales of Kentuckys, of which the ‘Trust Fund held $183,000, or of United States stock, of which that fund held $251,330. Both have been freely supplied for cash within the past sixty days. It is known that the cash sales of these various stocks have been so largely in excess of the de- mand for them that United States stocks have de- clined about 15, and State stocks about 20 per cent within the past two months, It is understood that the attention of the govei was directed to the subject of the robbery by appearance in the street, last week, of # large namber of new Missouri bonds. These new bonds—some #60,000— were sold at the Kroker's Board by Messrs, Jaudon; they represent their principal to be a man above suspicion, and assert that he came by them in the ordinary course of business. It ix .«atisfae- tory to know that, eventually, the govern- ment will not suffer, and that the thieves will not escape detecti Rach ot the bonds stolen was unmbered; and there must be in the Department of the Interior some record of the numbers. The government will thus be able to follow and reclaim the bonds wherever they are. The rule of law in «ach cases is clear —coveat enptor. Simultaneously with this disgraceful affair, wo bave to report that about 2,750,000 of the govern: ment loan awarded on the 224 October, and which should bave been paid up in fall on Satarday last, remains unpaid. [t is due to the bidders who paid their proportion of the award that the names ofthe defaulters should be mentioned. We believe that the principal delinquents are Mesars. Riggs & Co., of Washington: Messrs, Lockwood & Co., Thomp- son Brothers, Gwynne & Day, of New York, and the Lasalle Bank, of [linois. Mosers. Riggs & Co. to whom $3,000,000 of the loan was awarded, have, we understand, taken over $2,00,000 of the award (the loss on this amount at present prices ia about $300,000); they are directed by their customers to decline paying for the balaace, on the ground that secession of Sonth Carolina has altered the under which the contract was made, We cannot help that this quibble will not help the oredit of those who rety on it. If the secession of South Carolina had substantially weakened the resources of the United States, there might be some ground for the plea; buat no one pretends thet the thirty-two States which remain are not ax worthy of credit as the thirty-throe ever were, It is presumed, however, that, by-and-hy, when United States stock recovers, the houses which are now delinqvent will find it convenient to pay up the amount of their bide and take their souk. The bustnens of the Sub-Treasury to-day was as follows :— Receipts... aor cual Nia.00n Oe Payments . 180,999 6t Balance . 2,198,503 66 the Chicago Press of Monday night, December 17, saya:— ‘There is no business paper, oF next (o none, oft the banks, und the wholeaule trade of ; fact trade generally, remains standstill. The banks po pleaty of and the farmers have plenty of grain and produce of all kinds; but the markets East and West, and the de- ranged coudition of our fipaueial ailiairs, do Wot afford 6uf. for transactions. ixehang» continues close’ and firm at 10 per cent premmim sciimg rate. Buying, 9 9%. With present prospects @ change for the better can. not be expectou till attor the Ist of January. ‘The jntor- est on Jarg ninounts of individual and corporate indebted- ness then ialls Cue, and parties who are obliged to remit will be very to keep up the rate til! (he turning point is made. ear frequently that Boston and New York merchants write back to parties here tocharge them with one-half the exchange. ‘This i not only generous, bat it will prove the best possibje investment to the houses that. aly Gold is still dull, Buying rate, 9 a 934; sell- The New Orleans Delta of Sunday, December 16, says:— The bank statement mace up this morning com as follows with that for the Biller nrg ig last year:— te the ‘city, and ia a8 hbinetalure, at @ money (carrency) 1860. 1859. Dec. 15. Dee. 13. ference. $11,860,171 11,813,740 Inc. nos 16,326,061 21 Dec. 5,004,81F tray. 4 20; 429 Deo, 4, 19,879,079 25,574,601 Deo. 6,199,018 6,742,608 6,932,973 Deo. 1/190, Distant balances. 700,129 1,917,875 Dec. 1'217/746 2 4,024. . 1,129, market amen Nie coats Aeeaaanh witha y bills, and sellers ‘the day ‘vanee on the better classes; but the movement, indicating considerable uctivity, fell somewhat short of yesterday's operations. Prime names were taken at 90% at par, and }¢ percent premium for clear bilis, but some we re firmly held at. per cent premin other descriptions ceala be had "tt OT aoe'nee od with documentary evidence there were sales at 95 a 96, Dut extreme rates ranged froin 93 a 96% and 9655. were still stiffer, but with a timited demand. Sales indicated vo marked increase, and we must quote them languid ut 5.70 46.95 ‘There was some inquiry for time bilis on the Rorthern « ities, but. without y change in rates, and we still quote theuy quiet at 33% per cent discount, while New York sight has beem Very inactive at 4 further dectine, the market closing flat at a1 per cent discount at bank, and 114 414 per cent discount in the outside market. This will repew the intux of apocic, which had become partially susponded. ‘The following is a comparative statement of the banks New Orleans for (he past two weeks Dee. Vb. Dec. Exchange « Tistant bale Long loans. The pr of $846,551 im specie, and $468,655 in deposits; and a de- crease Of $774,388 in'long and short loans, and $418,166 im cireulation. ‘The poliey still pursued by’ bank inahagers must certainly be gratifying to many of their stockhold- ers, while it cannot fail to render the institutions them- selves perfectly independent of all political or other chapges that are likely to occur. It is questionable however, if the restrictive movement is not being carried too far, and whether self-interest, as well as good to the’ community, does not call for am immediate and considerable modification of the present rigid and op- é pressive line of action. The New Orleans Picayune of Tuesday evening says:— ‘The market this morning manifested tinuance the same improved tone thas ‘been apparent for noone days b ton was in active der with salea at Tull prices. The feeling is one of marked contcbnee ta = — the somewhat uncertain character of ire, extensive movement more cheerfulness in financial quarters, and the transactions in the ostaide money sino tba ar, was much sterling ‘ing, and clear 100 a 10044 , with some little at 101. ral ron from ® 100%. There tions in bills of range extending from ®6 a 97%. Francs were ter. We notice several sales at all the intermediate frac- tions between 6f.814; and 5f.70, and a favorite 5.625. This places the extremes from 5.850 ‘There were no transactions in sixty day bills York. Sight showed a disposition to stiffen, but with large sales of Al at 1\ discount. Short sight,14 a. 1A discount. The Philadelphia Ledger of to-day money matters:— e uained and £ ‘The money market is gradually becom: here is les sald. obost borrowing.” Bh cuiereenre aoe {queetioned bills remaining, is done at bank, #0 that the Tite Change in rate low 14 per cent a month. The following dividends have been declared : The Commonwealth Fire Insurance Company, remi-annual dividend, payable on the 2d inst.; the People's Bank, a semi-annual divideud of 3% pee cent, payable on the 2d of January; the Neptune Insurance Company, a semi-annual dividend of 3% per cent, payable on the 2d of January. The Boston bank statement of the present week compares with the previous one and that of the corresponding week of last year as follows:— H Danae. obnaes gaee Depo aNGIN NS Rate angen Ciroulation:!.!; 6/05/9001 /244/907 6,619,199 ‘The statement of the present as compared with the previous week & decrease of $444,209 ia the items of loans and discounts, $41,329 in spe- cle, $625,808 in circulation, and an increase of 9119,000 in deposits. The official monthly statement of all the Cana- dian banks for November exhibits a decrease in circulation for the month of $1,100,000; gain in specie, $4,500, and increase in loans, $1,180,000. Compared with the same month last year, there is an increase in circulation of over $3,000,000, and in specie of $1,500,000, The Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati Reil- road Company have declared a dividend of 64% per cent, payable on the Ist of February next. ‘The gross earnings of the company for the year 1560 (estimat ber) will amount to. #2000 US 5" 100 shs Erie 5000 de. 100 Hadsou R & foo Ite Harem iti Seth . . 4 2000 Had 53-300 Mich Central Kit. (000 Ja 0 & 6 do. ‘ Rs 1000 Chi & 0% 100 do. 495 R 1 RR 2000 LakeF&Wim bs 60 150 do. om @ 10 bs Mereh Rank. 905 200 Reading 17 Bank of Atuerica 106 6 Mich So pty 4 do 105% 100 Mich B25, 10 National 6 8 do... 1032 10 Am Exch *2 60 Panama RR MIN 100 Cum Coal $ 160 I Con RR Cy 175 Pac Mail 88 2 1 do, 20 Canton Co. % 100 do. oe to Bo 101 caev col s* 100 dos lab Teh bao Olen a 0 200 M8 TH O00 do. 20% 100 AO. 810 T5100 due 80 29} 280 Frie RR My sO do blo wo de. wy 100 do a S Sic: Sete § ” do in Me Jersey RR. 124 100 do, uM SECOND BOARD. $21600 U 8 6 100 MORAN Y Conkieto arg 3000 Miseon oe 12 Brie RR......... 86 Jono Virgins 78 «Chi, Bur & Gy RR 6s 2000 n,n 3 Tigh» w% 100 20 nO 200: s 8 of 2 Z is ie ia od