The New York Herald Newspaper, December 24, 1864, Page 5

style, and the coal fre sparkled and crackled a6 if to welcome bim. “Biess yout’* he orted, advancing towards us ou a sudden, ‘+if you can’t remember me I'll introduce myself! My name is Sante Claus, Kriss Kringle or St. Nicholas, How do gou do?’ And with this be eid out his band. H8 MOCKSTH AT OUR AMAZEMENT. Tne reader cam imagine better iat we can describe the astonishment of a sane apd practical man at havicg Buch an announcement made to him in so practical a place as a cally newspaper Office, and in this mest practi- caland skeptioa) year of Our Lord. Certainly this was n0 dream. The Hemaxp establishment is not a favorable \o- cality for dreams. Evéo the sleepy office boy had felt the force of shis axiom; for we noticed that be had takea bis cap and bis departure in a shamefaced way after usboring io the stranger, Sante Claus, forscoth? If our visitor had declared himself to be Hendrik Hudson, tirea of piaying nlacpins end waiting for another Bip Van Winkle among the Kaatskilis, and on « visit t New York to see the sights of the town, we might, perhaps, have believed Bim. But as for Saste Claus—imyossible! Evidently this was some mad old gentioman who had escaped bis keepers and was out on a masquerade. Still, while we were arguing thus, (he gas- lights kept on winking like mad, the flames of the cosl- fire leaped up and down in ffaatic sport, and our myste- rious visitor stood holding out bis little fat, dimpled hand. Woe took it. The best way to deal with insane Persons is to humer-them, ead so we took the offered Dand and shook it heartily. Bat, deopite tats concession, our face must have expressed our want of faith.aed our Dewiliderment; (or the stranger was immensely amused and made the room ring with the most rofticking laggh- ter. ‘Hol hol’ oried the Httle.man, ‘he don't believe He won't believe that Lem myself! This is too good!” And. with this our mysterious visitor threw himself upon @ chair, the arms of which appeared to embrace him most affectionately, “‘Ha! hal’? he cried agai, jumping up from his seat end stamping merrily about the room, ‘I bave know! im since he was 60 high—and he thinks mea lunatio!’” We seized the op. portunity to observe that he had expressed our opiaion perfectly; but at this he laughed louder than “Ho! Hol” the littie man shouted, holding his sido with glee, while the tears roiled down bis jolly face, ‘this ig too much, too much, Put away those papers, close your desk, draw your chair to the fire, and 1’ll con- vince you of my identity if you be a reasonable man, eod I think you are.” Flattered by the compliment, mindful of the best mode to treat madmen, and seeing no other course to pursue, we obeyed. He DISPSLLETH POPULAR BRROR 8. ‘The room felt unusually cosy and cheerful as we were seated by our mysterious visitor in front of the grate, and the fire, which bad been inclined to dieout before his arrival, now blazed up brilliantly, as if stirred by an fnvisible pokcr. ‘Sir,’ said the little man, “I know that it is against the rules of the estabiish- ment, but may I smoke?” As we nodded assent, ho drew an oli, large, meerschaum pipe from his pocket, filled it from an old fashioned pouch, and (perbaps acci- dentally) a coal of fire flew from the grate and set the tobacco aglow. ‘‘Now,” said the stranger, ‘‘we are quite comfortable, and I may begin.” Aud he did begin by biowing out an immense cloud of fragrant smoke. “+3¢e, sir,’ be continued, ‘the influence of popular super- atitions. They infect even so practical aman as your- self.’ (Mutual bows.) “If I had come down this fire- place you would have believed me to be eitber Saota Claus orachimney sweep. If you had caught me busy with your children’s stockings ta the dead of night, you would have thought me either Kriss Kringle or a burglar. If ‘you had seen me riding over the chimney tope in my steigh, drawn by Prancer and Dancer and the rest of my reindeer, you would bave imagined me to be either St. Nicholas or a passing cloud. Bat because I walk in ‘at the door, like @nybody eles, you take me for ‘madman! My dear sir, do you suppose that, because I ‘Dave lived several centuries, { am blind to she progress of the aget You might bave learned better from my toys, which I chauge aad improve every year, because.! am well aware that the children of the present day, who must have crying delis aod self-propeiling loo motives to please them, would not be content with-the rade weoden toys with which I delighted their great grandfathers and grandmothers when they, too, were little folks. Are my toys to bave all the modern improvements and Rot myself? The great, wide ebimneys and open fire places of olden times were navigable, a0 to speak. Uy bow could a stout, old chap like me get down this narrow chimney, (or instance, or up through those little holes the floor which you call registers? Sir, im the countey still use the chimneys sometimes, just for the sake of old oe oe ‘Dat fa the city you have uo chimeeys wide eooagn me, Bd the hot air would stifle me if I tried to get down; end eo 1 use the deers or the windows, whicil- ‘ever seems the more convenient. As for my sleigh. that fa ‘still necessary in some countries; but bere the rallroade quable me to travel faster. Why, bless you ! some peo. ple deliove that Hants Claas don’t know what a railroad is, apd yet there is the evidence to the contrary right under their eyes in the form of a toy train for children | Its just like those folks to try to talk me down as an old fogy, and to tell their cbildren ‘not to hang up their stook- ings, and Pa will bring them them somechiag’—as if avy ‘Pa’ alive could supply the place of the rex! SimtaCiaus!”’ With some show of indignation our visitor now puffed bis pipe profoundly. HB ENTERRTH INTO CONVERSATION. ‘Whether it was that the smoerity of the above remarks and the alr of self-consciousness which pervaded them had convinced us already of the ideotity of our visitor with the character he professed to represent, of whether there was something im the fre-light which converted us, we are pot certain; but he had scarcely conciuded his opening observations before we found ourselves tacitly admitting that he was Santa Claus in sober earnest. This is evident from the hasty notes which we thes jotted down of the following covversation. It began by our asking if his modern mode of entering houses by the doors or windows did not. expose him to detection by the children. ‘+Not at all,” he replied, “for the good children are all asleep.’ We then suggested that certain bad children might posst- diy He aweke on purpose to eee him. ‘I never visit Dad children,” was his briefand shrewd reply. ‘Satis. fled upon this point, we ventured to inquire how be maa. aged to select bis toys 80 as to piease'all tho little ones, *‘Just as you make paper to please every one—by attending to my business industriously,’”’ he avewered. ‘We asked where he procured bis toys. “From every country in the world,” said the littlemen. We begged to know, if agreeable to bis feelings, what bis Christmas gifts cost. ‘‘Millions aed milloas of doliars,”’ said our visitor, ‘‘and you can easily caicalate that it must be 0. ‘Take rich and poor together, I estimate the sum at five dollars jor every man in Christendom, and often that is tor little.” It naturally oceurred to us that he mast bave a tremendous revenue, and, upon our putting this thought Isto words, he replied, ‘So | have; more than a thousand petroleum princes combined. All the gold mines, the diamoad mines, the silver mines, the coal mines, the lead mines, the oll mines, and the iron, tia ‘and copper mines in the world pay tribute to me. Every form of industry is taxed by me once a year. Leta mea eedape every otber sort of taxation, but he cannot escipe ‘nine, What is more, few wish to escape It. No other tax feno wiltingly pald.”” The pride with which he said this “Wisit of Santa Claus to the - Herald Establishment. sOur Midnight Interview With This Mysterious Persenage. lo Looked, What He Wore, How He Smoked, and What He Said. *Oponing of His Black Valise of Books, Toys and Games. ‘The Way Ho Displayed “Heo and Talked- About Them. {MI8 ANNUAL TAXES AND REVENUE. ‘ries Kringle with All the Medern Improvements. “Sermon of St. Wicholas to the Modern Knickerbockers. ‘Read Our Report and Follow His Advice, &., dey ae IM THB BBRALD OFFION. ‘The Heeatp office, like all othor woll established inst!. «tations, bas its histories and ite mysteried? No upioter- eéting narrative might be made, for example, of the “wisttors to this establishment. [ts editorial room is a ore @ Stock Bxcbange, a Flour Ex or a Petroleum Exchange, but an Exehange for Wess, Those who freq 1ent it see, every day, men most distinguished in the arts, tbe sciences, the learned pro * feasions, the army, the Nivy and the Government Journalists, miiliousires, lawyers, lecturers, authors, ‘Bot0ts, generals, admirals, orators, politicians, ambasss- dors, senators, commodores, congressmea, financiers, colonels, merchants, noblemen, doctors, diviues, singers, ‘Giplomiats, dandies ‘ang men of the world pass in and ‘ut, each foteat upoa bis own business, The ourious Comontors, Jepuy, bind and General Hawthorne and Uregs, the Japanese p:joces ‘And the suite of the Prince o Wales have jostied each ‘Otber upon this Intellectual Cuange, while few celebrated ‘Andividenis of this eoentry or of Kurope have ever visited Sew York, withia the pest twenty years, without sp- ‘Dearing at the Herat vfllce, either publicly or incog. It ‘may veadily. be imagined, therefore, that we are nov ' @apityeatentahed at any visit, however unexpected; and Yet we confess that we were somowhat amazed at a per- ‘gonage whe dropped in upoo us a night or two ago, » © A MYSTERIOUS VISITOR APPEARETH. “Te Was just after miduizht, The editorial writers had gone to dream of fame in the bosoms of their had flotened thelr plotures of the “@nd’ night, and dispersed to their Bomes. The mts nod subscriptions. The dull thunder Srambling presses in their subterrsnean caverta + Gproke the stillnes of the nicht, Suddenly the outer door tne Edilorial Depa-tment opened. The sleepy Officioy sprang up from his desk and was instantly alec. What passed between bim and the visitor we Couldyt catok; but in a moment the boy made his ap- 000, riving to look as if be had never been asleep in is lifend briskly announced that somebody wanted to 00 thuitor, The bour was late; but the Herarp office {a alwa open and ready fur cows. Indeed, iate visitors re faty the rule than tho exception. It was with noex- POCtathof anything unusual, therefore, that we said, “Show p geatioman je.’' Upon the word, swift as a ‘ftagh, & yetertous stranger appeared be‘ore us. ‘BIS APPRANANOx PUZZLE US. ‘The sywger bad a queer, quaint and remarkable ‘aspect. Areat fur cap, i ive richest and darkest sable, covered hibead. An immense grestooat, trimmed with the same oles fur, rexcbed to his koecs and covered Dis body. ‘he fur collar of this ooat was upturned, 60 as tocover biface. Ling top boots, lined and trimmed with fut, Doverd his fect, In bis baud ne catried a biack valise. Avrst sight we surmued that he might be « mitesenger tom the Fm yeror of Russia, sent over by Professor Amlin, the Emperor's former tutor, who had taken comserable interest in the Hexatp during bis sdjearm &@, But, on the other hand, hie bieck ‘vilipe low suspiciou. As we had founded our Russa bypothesis upon the sable furs, so we § once passed to the other ex. ‘treme and dyeloped a now theory from the black valise. At the thoug an imasiaary odor of phosphorus filled ‘the room. Iytaps this was one of the hotel burners, ‘Hed his consence urgod bim to give us a full con‘ession, ‘to be publisyd special iv our next issue, and forever silence the tendiary prow? Or was this momber of the Devoted and a stranger in New York, who had ‘mnistaken our @ice for that of another paper, or possibly Of & mammotthotel? In the old times, whea wicked people hated th Hexaiy as bitterly as now but tried Other means to event its exposares, iaferoal machines used to be sent tous, andthe establishment and its pro Prietor had ofte escaped destruction by almost a miracle. Was there an iverpal macbine in that black cvaliset Those compctures wke some minutes to write ‘and nearly as many to read; but so prompt are the ope. rations of the mind that but ‘second or two bad elapsed ‘Defore we bad framed, woighd and dismissed them all, | je tndescriDable He wielded his pipe like a sceptre and and were courteously askin; the sirsnger to state bis | jooked avery inch a king. Noticing this, and anxious to -Duainess. draw him out still further, we epoke of the vast resjon- ME REVRALE'T AIS WAMB, sibilities of bis position, “You, yes, you may woll say “Bir, eaid the stranger, ** have often beard of the | qnat,” he ovntinued; “mise ts @ busy life, Assn as {Himaep, Since it’s fret iauel have read it regularly.” ‘Of course we bowod. ‘‘Yormust often have heard of me, sir,’ be oontinu: ‘inded, you have mentioned my ‘Dame im your columps not unteqrently and never unfa: -worably.”” Of course we bowed again ‘‘Now,” re \eumed the stranger, “dou”: sa; that you don’t know me, because that would be absurd!’ Absurd as it was, compelled usto say it ts politely as possible. 7," continued our mysterious visitor, in the oddest, and morriest little voice, “why, you don’t mean onn’t mean li—it’s all bumbug | Humbug or did mean it, and £0 repeated it more emphati ‘This scemed to take tho stranger quite absok; but @ moment be recovered his self-possension find proceeded. “Dunder und biiteen,”” sald bo— and we give his exact words: “That's what it ie to be ‘®@ Bistoriosl pertocage! You Have Meard of me; all the world has heard of me, and yet you don’, recognize me, 1 ofin’t belteve iif 1 won't believe it! Look.at mel” as ho paid thie the stranger, with a quaint gemure, pulled off bis cap, threw down bis valiae (which did not ex. Opened bis cont, and stepped in;the full glare ot the did look at bim, but were no wirer than derire, To seémed & litle Old man, sbort aud stout, ith the joliiost red face; a nore eet with the carbuncles generous living; snowy white bair, rnd tiny, brig winking eyes, fall of bevevolence ae@tun, Werventh bis he wore an o'd fashioned jacket, which opened the throat to disclose on equally old fashioned rafile, te he tutton bole with a sprig of fooked again, while qralighta wioked st him in the most familiar one Christmas is over I begin to prepare for the next, ‘There are new children coustantiy arriving, and some going away to Heaven, and some becoming young men and young women as the yoars roll round. Changes, you see, ‘il the whilo, and my gifts must be changed too. What wif suit @ child this year will not salt it next, Often, Ia those fast days, I loavea boy with @ top or a hobby horse, and fod him vext year with @ cigar ia his mouth; OF I present a little girl with @ rag baby, the next year she is crying for diamond earrings and loug skirts Peing @ father, you know how much troubie it is to take Gare of one child. Think, then, of the tofinite labor re. qutfed to take care of all the chifdron to the world, And that Is what I have to do,’’ The seme pride tn saying this; the samé flourish of his pipe and the game regal air, HF DISCOURSETH UPON CHILDREN. «4Bot, sie,” continued Santa Claus, after ® brief paves and n fow pulls of his pipe, “this ts to me, as you well observe, a labor of love. Bless the enfiaten! T lve them al, Rich of poor, sick or. well, are always pleasant to me. In tho sturdy Wttie toddiers I sée the fathers and mothers of future generations, and 1 thank Hoavem thut they, too, aré destined to come under my perondint care, Talk of the trouble of providing for obfidren} sir, it is’ out. Weighed a thousnid times by the pleasure, When my | ork ts over, tvexmnd und rub my bande with glee 08 I |, ee tho HEtl6 One, areiding Of the joys of Cbriakmen morning. The meookt 1 Gilet, the Curiatmas trees have bivomed with various gifts, and the tittle honds restiay, pexcetatty Gpoa their pillows are crowded with loviG) antleipations I tore te eee tie aR: rea erasting in their sleep. love to see them waking with the earliest dawo and clambering out of bed to see what ‘Sapte Ciaus has brought. Such great eyes at a wooden horse! Such sileat admiration of a popgun! Sucn bursts of ringing laughter at a jack-in the box! Such boundiess content as, it ted into bed again, thoy eee all their new treasures spread out upou the coverlid! And thea I love to watch them at their play. “How hard these little men aud women work at their amusements. ‘Their round, plump legs seem never to tire of ranoing Dackward and forward with’ s wagon or a tiny train of cars which bas tts depot wader = chair, Whet equestrians they are,and bow they ride their hobby. horses to and fro, over roagh roads for immoose dis- tances, to see some absent uncle or auntie! With what Patience they play the same games over and over again, and never weary! With what generaiship they marsbal their toy troops into Iine—these miniature Grants and Shermans! Their drums, their ratties and their tia trumpets, 60 odioas te most ears, make sweetest music to mine. No prima donna at the opers, puffed by Bobe- mians and applauded by the clague, sings eo delicivusly aso little girl putting her doll tosieep, And then,’ con tinued Sante Claus—bis face beaming like a sun, andthe Ugnts and the fire danciug more madiy than ever—‘‘and thea | love to watch the idinsyucracies of children, Here is one profoundly poadoriag over the astounding phenome. Boe of atoy dog that barks when he squeezes it. His sister, with adoil whose ory has an amazing resem Dinnce to the little dog's bark,. accepts the squeak. img as quite natural, anf does sot ponder a6 all, Adother little fellow bréaks bis penay whistle to see where the sound comes from This little girt forgeta ber candies in her maternal cares, while ‘that one teaves ail her dolls, and lets-her toy kitchen’ be- come terribly disordered, to stuff herself with bonbons. Hore a stout little ctiap who kicks his picture books into'a corner to make room (or his architectural designs. There ts another who, forgetting all else, sits absorbed in the lamentable history of Cook Robin. Auother is eipher- fog up the spots upon his dominoes, while his tittle brother flods no such fun as playing at ball. Lt is tho world im little, my dear sir, But the best of it is,’ said ‘Santa Claus, obackling to himself, ‘they don’t tire of my gilts, When school is out they como back to play again. ‘They go to sloop with their toy wonders clasped im their little hands, and I have seen thom die”’—and here the twinkling eyes of Santa Claus were dim—‘I have seen them die with their dear eyes turned to take a last took at some favorite plaything—the oldest and ugliest of the toys, you may be sure—as if they were sorrier to leave that than ail the rest of the world beside.” He BROOMETH MORE PRACTIOAL. After a silence of a few moments, we ventured to ask our visitor a few questions, to which we received the following roplies:—'‘Sir,” said Santa Claus, “it is, as you say, asource of regret to me that the obildren do Bot see me, although I sometimes think that they recog- nize me in their dreams. But many of the blessings of this life come to us from sources which we never behold, as rivers rise from secret springs; and, since it is so ordained, we must be conteut, You remark that my portraits do not do me justice. That must be true, or @ise I should not bave been obliged to introduce-myself to you. Still, as very fow of the artists have over seen me, I cannot wonder at their failures, Nevertheless, you must admit that several of them have hit my general ‘appearance pretty correctly.” There was a trifle of ‘vanity in this—ao unconscious pulling down of (110 waist- coat and stroking of the beard—but we affected not to mottos it. “You ask, sir, I amas busy as over, this year. Busler, sir, busier! There are so many sol- diers' children to look after, and alas! so many orphans. To these I am unusually tender, and it is the duty of every man to assist me. It is trde that I am not per- mitted to travel in your rebel States. ‘The ajas of the fathers sball be visited upon the chiliren,’ says the good book, aud Iam bound by shat. Ab, the brave olé Charistines.times tn the South are over until the war is over. The hearthstoves-there are desolate. Children ‘who Ought to be playing with popguos sre shouldoring real muskets im the rebel armies or lie still and cold be- weath thewod. One!’ of your generals wisely said that Joflerson Davis had robbed the cradie and the grave for troops. It is true, it js too $rue, of the oradie, as I weil Know. Oh, sir, it would make your heart bleed if! obuld tell you of the scenes I have witnessed fa Southern homes during the past four years, They wore dreadful, dreadful. Merry old man as Tam, it saddens me fo think of them, Well, I went South as long asl could. J gave the children such toys as were not contraband of war. I kept green the memory ef Sante Claus im their bearts for three martie! years. But now I find myself shat out at every point, and this Christmas they must do without me. Let us bope,” he added prayer- fully, ‘‘ghat before. another Christmas comes rousd there ‘@ reunited Union, a per t peace sud a Santa Claus for tbe children.” But, my good sir,” continued our visitor, changing bis tone and manner, “the hour grows late, and, like Hamlet's ghost, I must away at cuck- crow. Let us be praotical; allow me to explain my busi- ness here.” It was in vain we remonstrated and begged bim to costiaue his interesting remarks. It was io vaia ‘we assured him that we were not at all sleepy, and were only too giad to listen to him. The little, old gentiomaa had an imperative manner anda certain good-natured obstinacy withal, and he turued a deaf ear to our en- treatios. Jumpiog up from his seat and bustling cheerily about the room, im less time then it takes us 10 tell of is he fad cleared the office table of its multifarious books, papers and pens. Then, lifting his black valise from the floor, while we smiled at our incendiary theories of an hour before, he \ook bis place behind the table, like a conjurer, and motioned us to be seated in front of him, like @ conjurer’s audience. sir,’ said Santa Claus, “you aro not about 10 see ery wonderful; bat | want you to remember what you do seo ”” HE DISPLAYRTH ORRTAIN TOYS. ‘Ag he said these words Santa Claus opened his valise, and drawing forth a great number of toys pushed them rapidly across the table for our inspection, ‘+ These, sir,” bald be, ‘are of the usual ki Dut they are just the things for children.’’ There were balls and bats, stoves and spinning wheels, dolls and dippers, carts and eats, engines and cars, fiddies ava farm yards, guns and gingerbread, houses and bumming tops, jumping jacks and jacks in the box, lambs and looking glasses, men ‘aud marbles, nodding &..ures avd nutorackers, omuibuses paints, ratties and rocking unicorns and ewers, whips and walking sticks. ‘ H are more of the same sort,’ said Santa Ciaus, giving tbe Diack valise a cunning shake; and in a second the tablo was ogein covered with arks and animals, building Diocks and letter blocks, bows and arrows, companies of ‘etantry and companies of cavalry, doll heads aod doll bodies, drome and drumsticks, games in boxes, gold and silver beads, boes and hoops, kailedoscopes and menage. ries, maps and metamorphoscs, magic lanteros and skates, sicighs and spades, stilts and stables, stores and tes sets, furniture and forts, and hundreds of other things, which have maintained their popularity for years, and ‘may vefound at any toy shop. ‘*Now, sir,’ said Santa Claus, brushing all these things into a corner, U bbow you something wew. A porter is said to bave invented it in bis idle moments; but you and | know who put the iden into his head.” It was the figure of a little negro boy, dressed ia plantation atyle, hich was suspended over a vibrating board wire. “Lok at this,” cried Sante Claus, tap- tune, He beat the double shufllo, He was down on his knees and up again, He did the grapevine twist, Not Dan Bryant im all glory could accomplish better dancing. Roaring with laughter, we jequired the name ‘of this toy. * It ts called Jim Crow,” said Sante Claus, «and itis admirable, Here is another of tho same sort, called the gymnasts.” Two Ogures, sugpended over « emocth surface, wrestled with each other with a grace and a vigor never surpassed at the Olympian games or by the Hasion Brothers. “ Walking dofis,” oried Sacta Claus, setting them upon the tableas he spoke, ‘ and locomotives which wind up like a elook amd propel them- seives, avd steamboats which do, the same. Here fe @ neat thiog, and cheap.’ It was a set of Qinepins on a small tabla You knock down the eiepins With a ball, aud Ret them up by. pulling € string. —** Here's very perfect doll, took mt it,” said Sabin Cisus, Ib was & doll hak opened its eyes, sald papa’? and -“mamma,’ aod worea waterfall. The water fait made It took very Abie Bnd ridiculous. ‘Here {a good toy,” contioved Saute Glaus, It wasa magic wheel, Citoutar plécos Of padtetoart, raced upon an Axis and turned defore a mirror, form dancing figures fot your amoseinent. Ah,’ sighed Santa Claus, “it ie Dotiso easy as It KeemmD-t0 Invent a novel and ncespiable toy. Two or three « yeat are ali Tcaa depend upon, aod You have seen those dirsady. Here is & bew toy which Vi throw into thé fire, The man who mado It deserves the name ato, Sed) Ue mw mimio gallows. Think of a obild playing with that, Ugh Now /otumexemine ome. | books.” Baying whieh he quickly emptied aloof woolly ups and balla, battiodores, skipping ropes, bal- noes, LowNS, citles, bureaus, be“steads, don: fore: CodkACe. eniiTOUd trains and mooiN™ bows upon the NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 724, 186 floor, adding thom to the mincelianeses heap airoady there. e Ub ORITICIZSTH OBRTAIN BOOKS. Once more Santa Claus opened the biack valise, which eppeared as inexhaustible as the purse of Fortunstus or Holler’s magic bottle, ‘Here,’ said he, ‘is @ splendid Christmas gi't. 1¢ is a subscription for the new maga- nine called Our Young Folks, issued by Ticknor & Fields. Judging by the fret number, it wiil be the best periodi. oal of the kind in the couatry. These Rollo Books and Franconia Stories are vot new, but they are as yet ua- rivalled. Mayne Reid’s stories are all good for boys. ‘The Popgun Stories are really admirabic, Their author- She don’t instruct them too mucb, aud her morals poiat themselves. This ie high praise—aod there are the books. Hero we b the American Boy's Book of Games, Look at the engravings! Hore are Aunt ‘s Nightoap Stories—all good. Robinson Crusoe and ail the Dew Crusces ure indispensable for boys. Gulliver and Alsop Go together, All Hans Andersen's works are capt- tal for children, Oliver Optic's books can be recom. mended. fie has two new stories ready: the Soldier Boy ‘and the Sailor Boy, Ballantyae’s splendid works shiould bevead by everybody. Here are good old Sandford aud ‘Merton ia new dresses. Rummical Rhymes and Comical Raymes are vow and funny juveniles. Mother Goose's Melodies, in « dozen dierent styles of binding, you see, but’ as melodious as ever. Here is an edition on linea fer the benett of those children who try to seoure kno’ edge by eating thoir bovks. Alphabets by the hundred, sir,”’ ried Santa Claus, tossing them out. ‘Here is the Dewest desigu—an Alphabet of Animals. Cook Robia and the Frog Who Would A-Wooing Go are illustrated by Stepheus, and well dove, as you sec. Tom Thumb and Little Red Riding-Hood come ous together, and the story Of this little lady is freshly told im verse by Stoddard. Jalry tales incumerable are here; but Hans Andersen's are the best. Why, sir, that maa is one of the dearcet friends Ihave, He must have lived among the (airies, be knows thoir ways #0 i, And jet me tel! you, sir,” sald Santa Claus, dropping the black vali from which the beautiful books, and toys, and games still kept pouring, ‘‘let mo tell you that I pity the child who does not read such books, aad I pity the father who denies them to his children, 0, rare and marvel- lous volumes, more interesting than of the novels of alter Ire, more delightful than any of the other pleasures of cbiidhood! Happy the boy who builds buts with Crusoe, slays monsters with tho Giant Killer, and has Goody Two Shoes for a aweetheurt! Happy the girl who knows Ked Riding Hood like @ sister, and is sure that fuiries dance upon the grass-plot. Shuw me # man base enough to destroy these iliasions,’’ criod Santa Claus— hitting the table with bis fist till the toys jumped up and down imploringly, aud the woolly dogs chased the timid dolls about—‘‘and I'll show you a persou not fit to be trusted with a sixpence and totally destitute of a heart. Do euch men live? I am sorry to say they do. They live and cail themselves practical people, They live and deny my oxistence,’ cricd Santa Claus, striking himselt upon the breast violently, and apparently overcome by the enormity of the crimes which be rebuked, ‘‘Yes, sir, they live, and what do they meum by it? Do they find life such a Fomance—so soft, so delicious and so delightful, that they wish to cheat their children out of its purest aud pleasant est conceits, and rub them roughly against its realities before Providence requires it? Do they believe—psnaw, I bave broken half my toys!’ exclaimed Senta Claus, and 80 stopped speaking. MERRIE CHRISTMAS TO ALL. For the life of us we could not avoid laughing at thie sudden and ridiculous termination of what promised to be a most eloquent harangue. Without being in the least degree angry at us, Santa Claus joived in our merrimeut, and remarked with a cunning, side-long look, *‘You folks did better at the Hzxatp dioner, dida’t.your”’ However, ‘either indignation nor sarcasm could long remain ex: pressed upon the jovial face of our visitor, aud io & short time ho was chatting as volubly and agreeably as ever. “Sir,” bo began, “it is quite time for me to go, I Mave detained you too long, and you know that I have only another day in whiob to distribute my giits. I have called to eee you Decause you, like myself, haye, ia some sort, the people under your care. I provide pleasures. for the children, md through thom J influence the hearts of mon aud women. You influence tne minds of persons of every age and condition, and thus strive to benefit mankind. | visit the firesides but once a year, The Huzarp goes there every day. My responsibilities are great; 60 are. yours. What -1 am saying te you will be spread belore all the people of this country and many of the people of other countries within a few short days. That is a miraole, sir, which is equal to any that I'can perform, and « power whichI cannot excel. If youcan make anybody love Christmas more dearly, aod celebrate it more heartily, and cherish more deeply the lessons of benevolence it conveys, do eo and [shall thank you. Coming but once year, Christ mas binds all men together with a common faith and jaa common brotherhood, If there be # heart which doce Bot warm under its giow, that heart does not deserve to beat. Toll the people to remember the poor on that day. This great city, ta which, being ite patrou saint, 1 have a peculiar interest, bas recently fed lerge and dis- tant armies, and no mi ‘woman or child within its Deunds should be without a Christmas dinner thts year, Teach your readera to be generous. Let no mun hoid out his hand for elms on Christmas day and be refused. In your city aro the sick and the afilicted. Bid your readers visit them. There be those who ebiver with cold and suffer from hanger. Let them be relieved. Be sure that S.nta Claus is provided with the moans to enter every orphan home and mission in this metropolis he streets | see children, ragged and forlorn, bareicot and ebilled, who have vo homes which I may visit and no hope of brighter days. Let your readers be my agent ‘and make those children bappy. You spend millions a year upon your soldiers; you give fortunes to your genor- alg and your admirals; in publi¢ and private charitios you have no rivals on the globe—sco to ft, then, that the few thousands needed to give poor culldren a din- ner and a toy be not withbeid tos Christmas tide, Rich as I am, and strong ss | am, I draw my wealth from generous bands, my strength from bene loot bearts, Li they fail me, Santa Vlaus will be no more, May the day never come when 1 shail be forgotten; (or then I shail Know that the world is a9 longer worthy to exist, May the day never come when the gifts which pass between you in my name are those of the pocket only, upeccompanied by the sentiment which has them doubly precious for so many buodreds of yours. And now, goodby! A Merrie Christmas to You and to al” Before we could aoswer a word Santa Claus had taken his black yailse aod was gone. We beard no foot- steps 00 the stairs, 0 closing of the door, and saw no 0. © page out ioto the silent street. The books and toys upon the table and the note book in our hand were the only evidences that he bad really been with us, The gaslights settied into their steady flame. ‘he fire is the te fell emouldering into ashes. As we sat down to write out this full and true account of the visit of Santa Claus we eould but sincerely echo his parting bene- diotion;—A Maaaie Canstmas ro You aNd 10 ALL. News from San Prancisco. Sam Framcisoo, Dec. 22, 1964. ‘The repert of the Central Pasific Railroad, the Vallfor- nla end of the Pacific Railroad, shows that the earnings of thirty-one miles of the road for the seven months it bas been im operation were brag ge which 000 im geld was vet profit, Ihe road is graded for twelve miles {urther into the mountains The Wreasare received at ibis place for the last tea days amounts te pearly ove million an@ three-quar Currency avd coin bills ow the Atiautio cities are offer ~ Whonay aay, wih = ts | ane 0. spepgheharnemeditd lower rates of ia~ THE WEEKLY HERALD. The Cheapest a wepaper im t! “¥. ‘The Wrexiy “WD ready this (Saturday) morning, wii contain! — A full and intorestiog socount, by our; Spertel Corres: pondent, of thespiondia Trip of General herman through Georgia, and of bis. arrival near Savaunak, and of the Storming sud Capture of Kort McAllister, with its Garri- bid Gung, accom yanied with a Map of Savanvah and iia defenses; full deantie of ube BpPendia Victory of Gen, oral Lhomad at Nashvilio, resulng it (he Total Rowt and Destruction of the Rebel Army under General Hood, the Latest Dexpatcuea from the Army of the Potomac, and Reporté O€ the Mévemenis of the Union Armies ta ail sec tienes Proceedings of Congress; Tave News from Europe, Mexico, Guba, &¢.; Pooiry; an Interesting Story; the Fegbloun; Litoraty, Artistic and Solentific Itema; Face | tit; Musioal and Thoatrionl, Review (or the week, Vurlor ttee; intereating reading (or Farmore and Agrioaltur iste; Reviews of the) Money, Commercial, Dry Goods, Moot and Shoe, Horse ana Cattle Marketa, abd réports Of ait Other luteroating egoots of the woek Torms—One oopy, $2; Three copies, $5; Five copies, 85; Ton copies, $16. Single copies, in wrappers, five con ench, —A'limited number of advertisemants lt tty loseryed io the Waexty Usraun date by Botbing bed happeved. or ten days he will Gla at open ne LIBUTENANT EARLE This gallant officer and daring scout, who, it wil be remombere, was seriously aiow day nes, in an engagement near ‘Natones, and left io the "eende the enemy, bas been hoard from. It is now positively Known that he will recover, bis wounds Bot being of se serious a nature as was at Gret feared. He is #ti\ ia the hands of the exemy, in the meighburhood of Natchez, and is being well attendee to. ARRIVAL OF THM FRENCH WAW-OF-WAR MEGERE Tho French war stoamer Mogere, from Havaua, bas ar- rived io th , Off this city, w take the piace of the ae which will leave in’ day or two for Mar- Arrival ef the United States Steam Transpert Thomas A. Scott. Partioulars of General David- son’s Expedition. His Safe Arrival at Pasca- goula, Miss. The steamer Pauline Corneil, from New Orleans on the ‘15th inst, has arrived hore, She has w few bales of cotton, ‘The steam transport Clinton, from Galvestow om the 12th twet., bad arrived at New Orleans with three bua. dred and forty-two exchanged prisoners from Camp Groce, —_ P4 men, ye wer Ld had most wretched coa- ° deen with neceasar: ‘their comfort by the Sanitary Comm tasioa. thane grad a amilt.m aod family passed brace on the A late Matamoros paper states that reinfurcements had arrived at Brazos Santiago, swelling our force there to two thousand, fifteen hundred of whom are negroes. The rebels make juent satlies (rom Browasvitile, I fortified, gave numerous skirmishes with Capture ef Bleckade Runners on the Texas Coast. NEWS FROM MEXICO, wo, a, bo ‘The United States steam transport Thomas a. Soott, Captain O'Brien, from New Orleans 14th, via Key West 18th inat,, arrived at this port yesterday. Purser Van- dusen will accept our thanks for favors. Our New Orleans Correspondence. Naw On.xans, Deo. 14, 1866. QuNBRAL DAVIDSON AT PASCAGOULA. Despatches wore received yesterday, announcing the Qrrival at Pascagoula of General Davidson with his division of cavalry, from Baton Rouge. SUCCESS OF TH AXPEDITION. ‘The expedition has been eminently succoss’ul, and tts march through the enemy’s country las been mado with ‘scarcely a show of opposition. On the march large quantities of supplies of various kinds, which would have contributed to the ald and com- fort of the enemy, and ull war producing materials that wero found, whatever their hopin were destroyed. we Dreath « fragrant odor, exiax the fi Mumore which usually flow from « bad ead set of teeth. Sozodont is no convent genaation at once s0 de! “gota by by all druggists, Gitts, Comb he celebrated Cr: or with Appropriate Holtda: tostruction with amavement — scope is mailed, prepaid, for § beauufat Trasarele i preamecig i mounted objects for $3 26; with w4 odjocts for $5 5) alse bers yy Microsco; for int sta, flow sorvloeable hors: tho jaded and ex- | seeds, linen, bauk eae ‘nailed. io aa with te supply of rations, | objects for $3 60, by HENRY ORalG, tre street, floor, New York; also sold. by POWLBR & WEL Shor and BHELDRN & Cu.. $8 Broadway sag Condition to resume operations, RRINSTAT! way. Major Pitcher, of the Lighteentt New York cavairy, bas beou re.nstated and assigned to duty on the stall of An Estab 4 Remody.—“Brown’s Gonoral Koberts, obiel of cavalry, Department of the | pronchiai Troches” are widely Kaown ag an ectablished re Gull, GOING HOME. The Kighth New Hampshire in'antry regiment, kn‘ at one time as the Second New Hampshire cavairy medy for Coughs, Colds, Bronchitis, Hoarsenes# and other troubles of the throat and lungs. Their gosd reputation and extensive use have brought out imitatiéns, represente® out of service oo the 23d inst. It ig now at Natchez, ears the Colonel Fearing, of that regiment, bas been three and eight months in the service, having entet army ae lieutenant colonel of the Fourth Massachi Volunteors, a threo months’ regiment, The Eighth g Aneth: home with ous hundred and sixty of {te origiaal mem- has arrived Investigations. ‘There bas been a general overhauling of quartermas. tere’ transactions. Several quartermasters will be per- mitted to resign in consequence of these investigations. ON FURLOVGR, Colonel Sherburne, of the Eleventh Now York cavalry, leaves for Washington this morojng on a sixty days fur. Tough, His resignation, tendered some time since, will probably be accepted, and she new colonel of the regi: meat will be appointed by Goverzor Fenton. PRESANTATION. The numerous (riends of Licutenant A. B. Jerome, for- merly of the signal corps, and favorably known as a faithful officer in the Army of the Potomac, but more lately counected with the water transportation depart. ment here, uoder Captain Perkins. Assistavt Quarter. master, desiring to testify their high estimation for his + and geotieman cold isin” would nthe absence of HOSTE BITTHHS, which they caunot get the rebel beste hat remedy for the terrible nervous depression under wi they ate laboring, Wnat blessing to the loyal twat whe Be je {s sold everywhere in the No New York o| OK AW, 34 Fourts av. A.—“White’s Patent Lever Truss” will vel ture, Pi ree for a stamp. Positively cure repture, Fea BY s CO. 6 Broedway, tauen fo the Tasatanagt bg re nf ia vues yaad Roe} oth a ap elogan! wateh sa chaio. Lieutenant Jerome is now out of the service. nay DMN BROOKS 2 BON'D, ae Broadway, corner At Cost—A 922, Mink $80, Begum Naw Ontaans, Deo. 14, 1864. GAPTURE OF BLOCKADE RUNNERS, During the weok ending the 7th inst., six blockade run Bers were captured off the Texas coast, five by the Cho. oura, Captain Richard Meade, and one by tho Princess Royal, Captain Woolsey. Four were bound to Velasco, with do assorted cargo; the oihers were outward bound and Iadea with cottoa, The one captured by the Chocura bad two busdred and thirty-vne bales oa board, and the ieee, captarea by the Princess Royal, cargo of forty- At Det & C Ce." oor ncomtists, FERFUMBRY, TOLLEY AMT Chis ie, FANOY GOODS, de, A Present.—The mest for smokers is undeeneeey a i Hipiageemu hich be got uine at POL! Tirgre “6m Broader, sear atte ON we Pres A.— The Opinio: beet wie PeaLons MG —aoranoectinnoginnibeti Batchelorts Hatr Dea "me Bost {4 tue gw Sue The y™ per te ) United States steamsbip Sonora, of New Orleans, ‘Whiol left Brazos santiagoron the 16th’ of November (or. the above a ae captured at soa on the 8th, Ro Couture por eerie of ibe Tel a oa ect Were dalivered over to Lieutenant ecrew ve Are inten ont A Is J) command, She is a five vessel, aes ‘A single sfion stlayethe was built in Scotiand tor @ pleasure yacht, and bas beea seqececam fe ‘No family ‘we as Dews to the Otb inst. = is fey blockading fleet off Galves- Brant’s Rurascasy 3 Pa se cere ton, and: uo ment ‘whatever ts made of such © cap- nde ond Voogampiion. and all Laoag oak. Poi tare Book ise im the Worst 500,100 C! Bowl LBGGAT BROTHERS, 119 Nassau street, FROM MEXICO. It is stated that the ine tunperee Maximilian will shortiy pay « visit to Vera Cruz and Matamoros ‘A NEW TORT IM MXXICO PROPOSED, nae nda of tne Emperor's visit to Matamoros the fon ‘bea ae, Tt wilt give am opportunity to Geseral Mejie to lay be ac Rint, Batons Eater te ong fore his Majesty the laudabie project for uniting the bar senses feet eured by Dr. BABI of Jesus Maria with Matamoros by railroad, and to make Broadway. —— a a ag Such improvements in the apcho:age ground there ae ey be requir ee said to be the best port in the MS sage yd Bote. se, Pye ke | ‘tor an holesale rel 0. 6 Aster Howsm» jexican part as well for ite amplitude and The ig apouea v ty ite great depth as for ite security. In the Departments ot War end lunprovement, or perhaps in the Oilice of tho Engineers in Mexicu, must exist yet the details of ap official survey which the goveroment of General Arista, through his Minister, the late Senor Robles Pecuela, ia. = A CURB ABRANTRD. pais has the following 1 symplome— exnsed Lieutenant Coldnel M. dela Cuesta, of the sng Comsiant pain oF uneasizess at the pisof the see to make, ‘with the assistance of Mr. Dupuy, an |, especially, of nel and afterwards (7 General Cayotane basen mle Ah eg rikes G4SLVESTON. ‘a ere: Bince the 8th nat. large fires have occurred at Galveston, destroying & large portion of the city, No i Palptation of the Rese P with phlegm 19 the thros 9. Nervous alfoction and w tof w Neep at sha ‘and lose and wattage with grees. Gul et tie thousenda of cases of Dyspepala that bave T'S Creat American Dyspepsia Pills, not '@ warrant 6 cure every cfse, no rave ny youre’ standing. Gold drorgioy, everywhere, and at Ur. wisia Beoond street,’ Poi adelphia, Pa aed on tations = of obs bor. Beat by mail, "8 rT bs, seo er chemical, warepousay re farther partioulars have beeu received here. New Onceans, Dec, 14, 1864, GENERAL DAVIDSON'S BXPEDITION. Official news of the whereabouts of General Davidson has at last been received at hoadquarters. After a steady march through the beart of the enemy's country, with Ove thousaod “mounted raiders” (as the rebel papers say), and an almost unmterrupted advance, General Davidson has reached West Pascagoula with a portion of bis command ead requested that supplies be sens to that point. DETAILS OF THE EXPROITION The command left Baton Rouge on Sunday, November ‘2T, at seven o’clook A.M. The expedition marobed from there to Tangbipoho and-destroyed the Jackson Rajiroad five miles, burned ali the railroad Lag a bridges and trostie work. sparks from the bore iidiege Bred the town, anda tion of it was lceaevess ‘The track and railroad palldings were destroyed by the Second brigade of the First cavalry division, General Baile; ® peror, commanding ‘The Kleventh New York and. Second md belay oo ry ary sate pr sew jurah, co! Ne. 7 Clinton Hall, corner of Mighth street. dot ibe green } and Col Davis fotloguisbed tRemsolves throughout OCCUPATION, OF FRAMKLINVILLD, MinB ‘The same afternoon the force started for Frankliaville, Misa, Here. aumper of prisoners aod & mari were cap- tured. Theraliroad at wis polnt wae destroyed. "Seow commacd bushwhackod the whole distaace, a were killed, ®ut no men. MOF COLUMBIA AND WEBT PASCAGOULA. The command next crossed Pearl river te ne Pm Daliey’s sae i Pi ois preceae Cures. ‘Scalds and Inflammal most tnstaally. conus a dox, For sale at depot, 43 Liberty st qi 4 Styles Jae a saree at where several more. prisoeers aad pee eters brow: Bareiay street. Sold by ath yous theme dave soe, rene eieawenremgree | ne river, The jew 5 avis’ divisivo, 7 ad ok ‘cfossed over on ® pontoon bridge; and, it beiu Howara Ascccin lone jsonces io impossible Wo flauk fae enemy, who were'stationed | Nerraus, a apers nt freee Now: and reimbie. spere.ie & superior force, the whole command started for West Pascagoula: the Second New York in the moan- time skirmished with Lhe enemy, amb eovered the move meat vowe ‘THE BANKS OF THR PAsCAgeOLs. The eldest votorans state thas thoy nn saw auch ‘onde; they were almost impassable di the whole, waarch, owing to the jhe benex rains. Tbe mel Sona the expedition bas been most sucasesfully agoc! irty privates ve ofloers were re eee last soncente ‘Our lose was two killed and ot wounded. No gegoral engagement took piace. ARRIVAL OF THY SYRAMER CLYDE. The steamer Clyde arrived here tute ome eee ‘Wees Pascagoula, bringiog Captain Gray, of Geu. ban otal, ang a Burgess, ordaance affcer of tha cav 14 Lieut. Colonel Wilkesen, of the, dey New York ‘cavers. THR WG BLACK URMDOR, re le and Watenes—Of All Desert by oy ae 8. ALE Broadway. coe tone i ar gases there is petgat of magallionas way. ee 1 Knock! Vdd le. rateert ‘a ‘The bridge over the Big Black, 00, by the force Our, hearing. eeeee uae oy which left Vicksburg ene ct 4: ‘Since, will take; Keak hatter, ce Tae teat tas wet to rebuild. Beiore ay. pons ene ol Broads 1. Hood's aruny Gre Taronged © ; of five per St " Byigeey = company ~t ‘From Soothern papers [am able to givo. you additianal 10 become one veut news uf this expedition. nna onary. Ny hey = - iat wi ‘Reda, aioe, ‘ f Gueritine along the river still voptinys to be very weiich hae ajeondy vena Pall ti ~ ioe troublesome, ai they beve wimost ontirely ceased | '* pina have Von ‘pinathe eye velopment ot 1m fipiog upon vn Wanaporte Pitan eed dellars per acke, eidontkte tl On rides of revels Lined com: | fox “aiparoe ol aaa tt Sue quia od “these +) Sana received an see herr agbacriuoA,. Kia _aztiers the ori iaading in the commsalty. ” sich iovaret® ne dwell no 10. "The loss Is esbimne » mift, aod & pumber of oni narrowly escaped #haring ted at fly thoownnd dot FI Wor further particulars, we od ee ieee eens fm fame eur columns. Ab 9000 ue tho pews reached quantity, by anybody tt ton Rouge a cavalry ith 1M One mt f Goser, vomesnnd: a, eam ou gf xe mata otlected thelr #08 pe, ant parauiy of the raiders: Wor naan ne teed ee “On “saturday tig! or lan orvter morvVinte Wad tadhpod wih three valuable Burges (rom & livery stable Remember, F oNignt te the Benen Buehwhs are plandering and buroing ia the vie | rt to MAT. bor oNig i City OC tela No OS. Triend and (on auifor alike (rom | CO" AK LIN, at Assembiy Reoma, | their depredations. R mond =Boots, Sh: and War GRNBRAL v8 POUND, Overs +h ery variety aod Tee] at rednced price, | | 6. 6. General Canby i ravidiy recovering (rom the ofeets of rae! 180 Fultom st