The New York Herald Newspaper, December 26, 1868, Page 3

CHRISTMAS. Coneval Observance of the Festival in the Metropolis. we impressive Ceremonies in tho Churches, The Day in the Public In- stitutions, RR, = eae A Jolly Time 6a the Skating Ponds. The Holiday in Brooklyn, Jersey City, Newark and Elsewhere. . The Christmas of 1868 has taken its place in te ca‘alorue of the things that are past, and will in the rare be reverted to a3 @ festival season around Waieh are clustered many joyous recollections and. Lat i associations, Not the least pleasing re- tuembranice of it wiil be the thought that it was the dicst anniversary of the nativity of Him whose Ivent was announced neaaly 2,000 years ago as the of “Peace on earth and good will towards men” on which the signs of lasting “peace” and resurhing “good will’ have appeared for the nation & » thet anxious Christmas day of 1860, when people, startied from their dream of » and progress, listenea with throbbing for the clectric whispers that told fast the element of discord was spreading over, the rebellious South, as her States debated the doctrine of secession which the Palmetto had openly promulgated five days before. To - y minds the awakening of those memories of tue past lent Lo the festival of yesterday the interest and sacred import of a thanksgiving. Eight years of discord have rolled away and the dawn of the ninth is tinged with the warmth of the sun of peace Teturning to bring forth the buds and blossoms of a beaign aud lasting fellowship to the constellation of the States, And of all the cities of the Union none has more reason to rejoice at this joyous issue than w York, the metropolis of a hemisphere whose commerce Was 80 long paralyzed with the shock of war. New York did rejoice, and never in her history has a more harmonious observance of the great festival of the Christian world been manifested than that of yesterday. Business was Almost entirely suspended, and her 1,000,000 of souls devoted the day to prayer and praise and to fra- harbuags p pulse how <n, ternal intercourse, Her churches were decked ip the samptutye Bebath Wi the Fake ted of the advent of their Fotihdér ajoh earth, and the services were attended by immense and devout con- Courses of worshippers. Her citizens thronged her thoroughfares in living streams, and amity and good will to ail men wera the sentiments that welled up jn every heart. Qld associations were rekindled, / the unhallowed memories of dayg agone were buried, friéndships that human Saaelon had ofice. dissolyed Were cemented anew, and yows of caret. ness, faith and love were regiatéfed on the tablets of the human heart. The soul of charity went forth into the -stréets gathering in the hytgry and the faint, the aged and . the tender orphan, whom the curtam of adversity had veiled from the eager eyes of the trafficking world, and made them feel that they were not altogether forgotten. It was a carnival day, in fact, when the people felt that not to be happy and loving toward their neighbors was to be out of joint with all the rest of humanity, The weather was clear, bright and beautiful, and though somewhat eold was nevertheless such ag enabled ali to enjoy them- selves. It was such @ day that within doors or with- ‘out mankind felt cheerfal and buggant, and was a fitting mauguration of the holiday week which shall usher anold year into the grave and anewer and brighter into being. SERVICES IN THE CHUROIES. Trinkty Church, The divine services at Trinity church yesterday ‘were of the impressive character that belongs to the festival of Christmas and the sublime event which the Church celebrates on this occasion, the nativity of our Lord and Savior. Trinity has always held a foremost place among the churches of our city in its observances of ythe day and the impressiveness with which it surrounds its services on this time honored festival of the Church, The decorations of the interior of the building consisted entirely of svergrecns, the appro- priate symbol of the Church’ s fidelity to the teachings of the Gospel, and the unchanging and unchange- able truths inculcated therein, Above the altar on eiiher side were two evergreen trees, and in the centre a beautiful crown of holly, The pulpit, font and lectern were aiso ornamented with ever- greens draped in tastefully interlaced festoons. The chorister benches were trimmed with laurel. In front of the chancel were two large fir trees, their branches neatly trimmed with laurel. The organ loft was also elaborately and tastefully decorated with fir and holly interspersed, ‘The morning services were very impressive, the Rev. Drs. Vinton, Ogilby and Oberly officiating. The music selected was as follows:—rrocessional, “Come all ye Faithful; Ventte, First Tone; Psalms 19, 45, 85; Te Deum and Jubilate, Smart in F; Nicene Creed, Merbecke; Anthem, “The Grace of God" (Barnby); offertory, ‘‘For Unto us a Child is Born” (Handel); “Sanctus Gloria in Excelesia,” Missa de Angelis; pro- cessiona!, ‘From Lands that'See the Sun.” Mr. A. H. Massiter, the regular orgauist performed, assisted by Mr. John P. Morgan, Dr. Vinton preached the sermon, taking for his text the fourth chapter of St. Paul's epistie to the Galatians and the fourth and fifth verses:—“But when the fulness of time was come God sent forth His Son, madé of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the Jaw, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” From this text the reverend gentleman preached a very eloquent sermon. He firet greeted his hearers with his best prayers and wishes that they mieht be blessed with all the enjoyments of the season. He Then ‘asked their attention to the words of #t. Paul. asset forthin tne text. They had met, as it were, in the fuifiiment of the words of the Apostle, as 1d sons of God’ through Christ's redemption. ‘as the day specially set apart py the Churett for the commemoration of the event spoken of by St. Paul, in that ali men had been redeemed from their sins and made fens in unity Christ, the gon of God. The event to-day | ted gave joy to the whole wor ‘The Comin of the imfant Jesus was the unspeakabie gift whic! gave to all men the sonship with Christ in the unt- versal Father of all, The sonship thus established was the theme which the Church celebrated as a symbol of God's unfading love to man and of man’s undying gratitude for the great gift thus bestowed, and this was the time when all Christians assembled together to praise God and invoke his blessings upon themselves and upon the Church, The Apostie deciared that in the procesa of time God sent His Son made of woman, made under the law, to redeem all that ‘were under the law; that we might receive the ad tion of sonship, and which gave us ailthe right to ery out, Abba, Father, This act of redemption left us no more servants, but sons—sons and heirs of God and Christ. The Apostie says that the Son of God was made in flesh with them so that man might not be afraid to claim the kindred of brotherhood—who was not ashamed to call ail men His brethren. Christ was made man under the law to redeem them that were under the law that they might receive the adoption of sonship. The words of the Apostie to the Galatians were not to be undersiood as applicable to the Oharch and brethren of Galatia alone, although, perhaps, the epistle addressed to the Galatians was the only one of the Apostie’s numerous epistles that were written by bin in tds own hand. It is the right and duty of all men—the free and the bond, the Hebrew and the Gentife, male and female—to believe that they were and are redeemed by the Son of God; that all recetved the adoption of sonship, and that the baptism which all receive is God's witness that we have received his adoption. This was the sole, hum- bling, and at the same time exalting, truth that is Specially preached ahd incuicated at this Christmas time, and with it is always ceie- brated the holy communion as a further evi- dence of their redemption from sin and their ©Xaltation to the sonship of God. Christ is the Gos- Pel; but th other gospel different from that ‘of Christ's, which inculcates, instead ofa spirit of nnion and freelom and brotherhood—a gospel thar Anculcates a spirit of bondage running into observ: @1ces and methods contrary to the spirit of the Gos- Pel, ‘This strange gospel the preacner denounced, and, In concluding his sermon, exborted his hearers to abide by the Gospel of Christ as taught by the Apostles, giving of their hounty at (his happ to the poorer brethren around them, who noeded t Charity and benevolenng of their fellow men; but | ech ceaeiirieroniementinmrimian cial ef NHW YURK HERALD, SATURDAY, who are equally rich wi world in the fact that t’ fi the wealthiest of this the humblest—the afar yon nyse ep oorest and Christ, pted sons of God through ‘The sermon Was attentively listened to to the end. Church of the Most Holy Redeemer=Two Pon- tifical Masses—Immense Congregations. At the Roman Catholic Church of the Most Holy Redeemer, on Third street, between avenues A and B, the services yesterday, in commemoration of the holy nativity of Christ, were very imposing and largely attended. A prominent American Gathouc never meéotions this church withous, sféaking of it as “the grand old church,” aq the Christmas ser- vices yesterday fully juiffiiea this epithet. Already ae early a8 four O%GIdck in the marning, while ninety- nine hundrédths Of the population of the city were Btlll Wrappediy sleep, a very large congregation from nee“uy all parts of the city aud representing all nation- alitiés Dad assembied within the sacred edifice filling every gyaliable space, The church we: pj” liantly lighted up, gas jets and burning “ a¢ tapers spreading the light of ay tO nrhak corner and nook of the buil ‘she fet id side altar, dedicated especially to the Holy fusely, yet chastely and tascefuail) eve! ns, the whole Peery aay splendid sight, calculated not only to dazzle the eye, but amid which the sOhoroas tones of the organ, under the masterly touch of Professor Spoth, evoked picty from even unwiliing hearts, At the main altar Rev. M. Leimgruber, Congregationis Sanclissimi Re- demptoris, rector of the parish, officiated as cele- brant, assisted by Rev. R, is as deacon and Rev. Henry Meurer as sub-deacon, with a great number of acolytes. No sermon was preached at this early Pontifical mass, The appearance of the main altar, covered with hundreds of lights, the officiatiug clergy m new vestments of heavy Cee embroidery on rich silks, impeoialls prepared for this oecasion, was brilliant, e Mass prenen by the choir, under the leadership of Pro- ir Spoth, Was a new ons written for Christmas by Carl Kempe Tull of charming pastoral melodies, and was well executed. After thls, “‘still masses” were read in regular succession, and the sacraments of confession and communion administered until ten o'clock, when the secoud pontifical high mass was celebrated, and again before an immense con- Ecenton, At this time mostiy German. Rev, Henry eurer officiated as celebrant, Rey. A. Urban as dea- con, and Rev. P, Frischbier as sub-deacon, with the usual number of acolytes, Rev. M, Lelmgruber de- livered the sermon in the German language. He re- ferred to the biblical account of the birth of Christ; Tat announcement was made by the angel to the shepherds guarding their flocks at night, and that peniprpene not, but immediately went to view adore the new born Saviour, not with eyes of the flesh, butim the faith. Thus Christians ud approach the Saviour with the true faith in their het and, repenting truly, shouid ask » mercy and forg.veness of Him who, with His endless Power, can alone grant it, And to obtain it they should make sacrifices; they soould first) yield up their heart to Christ and God and be. charitable and merciful to their feliow the , the orphan, to all who need and succor; for what- wane rer oe the lowest of man 1s done to Christ 1 we composer of church music, the “Offertorium’? of Donat Mueller, and a “Gradnale” by Schiedermetr, were also performed with. conciseness aud power, and @ “Grand March” was played by Loesch’s orchestra. . f Avery interesting ceremony will take place at ails Sieh oa ener morning next. Rev Diony- sius Stolz, formerly a lay member of this ea tion and lately a consecrated @ priest of the Order of St. Benedict at Pittsburg, will read his first mass, and all the usual interes! ceremonies on such oc- , Well known to ics, will bp rved. Christmas at St. Pauls Protestant Episcopal Church—Carole, Morning and Commanion Services, ‘The natal day of the Saviour was particularly ob- served at this ancient edifice yesterday morning. The doors of the church were opened as early as half- past A.M., at which hour the congregation be- gan to assemble, many of them attracteqd—the regu- lar services of the day not commencing rintil éleven O'clock—by the flesire Jo listen to the usual carol 8 of thé acholars of the Sunday school. At half- p nh o'clock these were gathered around the steps of the altar, where, under the direction of Doc- tors Dix and Wright and &ev. Mr. Foster, two ex- ceedingly beautiful compositions, both in words and " music, were sung. These were seyerally entitled, “The Snow Lay on the Ground,” and “See, Amid the Winter’s Snow.” Unfortunatelyg in consequence of some impediment in the organ,-which, however, was of a temporary character, Mr. Cornell, the organist, and the composer of the music of the carols, was un- able to accompany the children. At the conclusion of the singing the Pigg od gentlemen retired for a few moments to the rob) ms room, taus vo the congregation an opport faspect the decora- tions of the church customaty during the Christm: tide. These are ‘ee but striking. § ‘Th fronta of the side and altar galleries an the columns and capitals the roof were dressed with holly, laurel and branches of fir and pine. The altar proper, which, by the interposition of the reading desk and pulpit, is ly hidden from the body of the auditorium, was left untouched, while the square column which supports the pulpit had on it a cross made of cedar branches, The gen- eral effect was striking. The decorations were sul- ficient and no more. There was no.crowding, no aiming at effect, and the natural result was a sim- plicity in harmony with the thoughts inspired by the occasion, and, it may be added, the internal finish of the building. Ateleven o'clock the usual morning service was read; the lessons for the day, taken from the Old and New Testaments, were of the prophectes and coming and birth of the Son of God. ‘rhe music during the service, most of it arranged or created by the orgauist, Mr. J. H. Corneil, was not only finely conceived but exquisitely rendéred. Among the lead- ing features were the Processional, hymn forty-six, the Venite and the Psalter, chanted to single cliants; Te Deum, expressly composed for the occasion by Mr. Cornell and tional use. The particularly for congrega- anthem, “Behold I bring you tidings,” &c., was that of John Goss, ie responses to the Commandmenta, as also the music of the Offertory, Unto Usa Child is Born,” were by the organist; the music in the communion service, excepung that which pertains to the forty- seventh hymn, was arranged by Mr. Cornell. Hymn forty-flye was from one of Haydn’s masses. At the close of the regular usual services Dr, Dix ascended the yet and, quoting as his text for the occasion the fourth verse of the forty-sixth Psalm, preached an exceedingly eloquent sermon and pertinent to the occasion, ‘The Doctor in opening presented to the minds of his hearers the figure of a rock, rising in mid ocean, againat which the winds and the waves beat in vain for ages, a8 a type of the gospel, which, though the world hourly changes, of itself changes not. There it stood in the great wide sea, age suc- ceeding age and, though the floods beat their crested waves with ali inst it, it Was firm. Nothing could change, nothing couid disturb it. Thousands upon thousands of years may come and go, but the gospel of God would be the same. Time cannot alter or mar it, In the calm as in the storm it was the same, unwrinkled, unworn, granite-seated monu- ment—a testimony of eternal truth, as it was in the old time when the light of God first tiluminated the soul—the same when the Saviour of men came to lead us to the Father - to the forgiveness of our sins. That rock as it -was in the beginning so will it be to the end, The flood and the storm are typical ef the enemies of God who assatl but can never disturb the gospel rock which seif-sustained, reposes in ite streagtn. God is this rock which is our strength: Though the ocean be dia- turbed by the (empest, though the water rises in its fury, though the waves lash and roar in their might and hurl themselves madly against the solitary pillar thus set up, it changesmever. Human history, civitand moral, is a story of unrest, of change, ‘Thus the course of this world is like the sea in its fickleness, We are ever asking and striving for that to which we cannot attain, and thus we have the storm, the warfare and the frettings of the moral ocean which wearies and fevers and destroys the life of men and of nations, But the rock rising out of the ocean Is everlasting, is undisturbed. It is our hope. Thus the gospel of our Saviour remains with ws unchan amid ail the changes of wind which battle and storm it. The gospel is to us in our mi in our childhood, All things else have changed in us and with n& Governments have been mssaiied, have been overturned, destroyed, the sciences have been reviewed, history rewritten, and so every- Where there is and has been disturbance; but the pel, the rock of life in the midst of this human ocean, remains as it was in the inning aod so will continue until the end. The learned Doctor then referred in touching Janguage to the birth of the Saviour, and followed this by a rapid review of the world’s progress since the age of Tiberius, and aimed to show that from the earliest days of Christianity Christmas as a holy festival of the Church had been received and honored a8 it was to-ta: 1 ‘as he trusted it ever would be. At the close of the sermon the communion service was read, @ large number of those present partaking of the elements as embodied in the bread and wine. The organ and choir at the close of the communion service rendered (the music by Mr, Cornell) “Gloria fm excelsis” in splendid style, On the benediction being ntterea the congregation retired, ‘The services were protracted until a late hour, Service at St. Clement's Charch. There was service at St. Clement's Protestant Episcopal church, in Amity street, yesterday. The pastor, the Rev. Mr. Eaton, delivered a sermon ap- propriate to the character of the day. The mystery of man’s redemption, said the preacher, is one of surpassing sublimity, but how wonderful was the Manner of its accomplishment. The birth of our Lord was the brightest star that ever arose on this habitation of men. ~It was thi at beacon of light and hope to the world. was profoundly humble, yet tmatvellously sublime, The reverend preacher described the events preceding the birth of the Saviour into th and thon went on to speak of the journe: Wise Men of the East and the angelic atinounce- r e she vatchers about the time DECEMBER 26, 1868—TRIPLE SHEET, how sweet and beautiful and self-sacrificing was every outline of it, and exhorted his congregation to endeavor to imitate ity sacred example. Commu- nion service was performed after the conclusion of the sermon, St. Patrick’s Cathedral. ‘The third Christmas mass at the Cathedral yester- day was given as a pontifical high mass, with full choral accompaniments, and waa, beyond a doubt, the most impressive ceremony by which the g7 oat festival was celebrated in this city. Panetryity at half-past ten o'clock the solemn proeeridh tasued from the vestry room at the right ‘ainda or gospel side of the sanctuary and proceedea ta the foot of the altar steps in the follgeriis order:—Rev. Father Mcinerny, master ©” eéremoutes, processional cross dearer, with “seplytes carrying lighted tapers on either side, sixteen acolytes in red cassocks and Wb''e siirplices; Rev. Father Kearney, assistant mas- @r of ceremonies; Rey. Father McGean, deacon of the mass; Rey. Father Ducey, sub-deacon of the mass; Rev. Drs. Anderdon and McSweeney, deacons of honor; Very Rev, Father Starrs, assistant priest, and his Grace, Archbishop McCloskey, followed by even pages wearing sontans of white with scariet trimmings and red slippers. On arriving before the altar they all knelt and the ceremony was at once commented, while the Cathedral choir, augmented by a splendid chorus of some twenty voices selected from the Liederkranz, intoned the Kyrie of Haydn's beautiful,Mass No, 2" in (. After the gospel had been chanted by the deacon, the Rev. Dr. Anderdon ascended the pulp! hy read the Gospel of the day (Jghn 1.) the Bible, and then takin, nye ese WO] (role bake 1) “And i in a manger | was no room for them in the inn,’ pr to deliver gn eloquent and forcible sermon on the mystery of the nativity and the circumstances connected with B and the three motives which prompted our ivine Redeemer to come into the world as he did, rather than being attended by pomp and power, to undergo suffering, to show his humility and tg tes- tity his unbounded love for mankind. ‘Concluding, he said:—“What our Divine Lord wants, now, is room in our hearts; but tn many hearts there is no rgom to receive Him, The heart, the will, the soul hiieh shall have room in it’ for Him to rest well must be emptied of all sin, Rather would Jesus Christ take up His lodgings in the #8. an enter into that heart into which He is only 7 *9c¥ted to be among many other things belonging. to the affairs of this world. When He was coming fo eat the Pasch He sent the .Apostles befors Him, tell- ing them that they would find a certain man who had a large upper room in his house, and telling them to have that room pre- jared, and that’ there He would come and eat he Pasch with them; so now He sends His priests to have prepared the large upper room of our hearts that He come there.” He then made a tender peal on behait of the orphans tor whose benefit the collection was to be taken up, and concluded by saying that Jesus would acknowledge from the throne of ios oe offerings that should be made to him through the orphans. t After the sermon the mass was continued in the usual form, the choir at — Kit reweet tJ Haydn's Le in C; at tho Rar oo jante’s Beret} was sung by Mine. Chome, soprano, gn the fa)! chorus; at the elevation "8 CtRece Pants,” for soprano solo, with French torn arco 4 Y was given. Av the uston of tue Eines the Aron after giving. the, episeopal ascended his throne. e deacons of benediction, honor took their places on either side of him, while ne capes —_ nies Pe etn masi ceremonies Themselves at the toot ot the throne. The Rev. Father Starrs, Vicar Lee — ascent aliar steps ounced 1 by Virtue of the power conferred on would then the ‘The Rev, Father McGean after which the erat and eet tna devoutly bowed nde race the Archbishop, extending Teverently, propgunced the feng, hen: his hands siowiy Were no extra ornaments on There \y part of the edificg; put on x. the altar, perverts re awe. op t rere an al pyramids o! So Se in the spire above the tabernacle was 4 Jarge bouquet of white roses and camelias. The music throughout the entire service was more than oO fine. The Mass No. 2 in © is well knowa as being one of Haydn's best and most popular compositions, and the other selected pieces, “quam Delecia” and “Eece Panis,” by readante an Proch, were mest fitting ornainents to the Der- ‘formance. The French hora accompaniment to the “Kove Pants? by Mr. H. Sehmitz besides adding @ little novelty to the usual churen service was 80 smooth and tender and so exquisitely plaintive that the impressiveness of the entire cere- Tony was greatly heightened. The immense con- gregation and the robed clergy and acolytes in the sanctaary ali kneeling and with heads be ved down and Fraseepiig 3 An alinost painful silence, the clear, full tones of the horn Os ag out so plaintively, yet diy and interrupted at intervals by the warn- boom of the church gong, contributed to form a scene of unsurpassable solemnity. The solo parts of the mass were assumed by Mmes., Chomé and Werner, soprano and alto, Messrs. H. Schmitz and A. Sohst, tenor and basso. Mr. Gusiavus Schmitz presided at the Organ, and as his ability and expert- ence in that position are so well known it is almost needless to say that the new and splendid insira- ment, which is very nearly finished, was manipu- lated in a masterly style. The chorus also deserves especial mention aa it Is seldom, indeed, that @ num- ber of voices can be obtained for a single occasion of this kind which will show so mitch taste and skill as did the chorus yesterday. 4 Zion Episcopal Church. ‘The services yesterday at Zion Eplecopal church, corner of Broadway and Thirty-eighth street, were of that nature prescribed by the Protestant Episco- pal Church for this season of the year. Morning and afternoon services were held, Bishop Southgate officiating on both occasions, The church was neat- ly d@cked with evergreens and was well attended throughont the di At the morning services after the singing of the nineteeuth, forty-fifth and eighty- fifth Psalms the nineteenth chapter of Isaiah was read, which was followed by the reading of the gos- pel of the day, the second chapter of St. Luke. This was in turn followed by the reading of the first chapter of St, Pant to the Hebrews, after which the gospel of St. John was read and was followed by the ysinging of the forty-fifth hymn. Bishop Souttigate then ascended the pulpit and delivered @ short, but eloquent sermon, taking for his text the second chap- ter of St. Luke, beginning at the worda, “And sie brought forth lier first born son and wrapped him in swaddiing clothes and latd him in.a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn,” and ending with the fourteenth verse, “Giory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."* The mission of Christ to earth, said the reverend gentleman, was heraided by this soug of the angelic choir. ‘The glory of God was thas to be ordained and the hearts of men were to be made glad by these tidings of great joy, even now, as were the hearts of the poor shepherda who kept watch over their Mocks eighteen handred years ago. As you gather around your hearths to-day, let this feeling cladgén your hearts, for to you this day there is born a Saviour. If we are to be Christians, cob. tinned the revered gentieman, we must be Christians after the manner and purpose of God, by being Christians with peace and good will on earth, otherwise we fail to fulfll the great end ordainod for us by the Creator, This is our miaston, as it was His, and every Christian must fulfil this vocation under Christ. Christmas must renovate us if it does its proper work, and we must be new borp, as was the babe at Bethiehem, with a new life to be spent for the same purpose as was His—‘‘Peace on earth, good will toward men.” Bishop Southgate, In con- cluding, made a touching appeal to his congregation for the poor of his flock jing: “These are they to whom your offering of e and good will musi be made. St. James’ Roman Cathetic Church, The services at St. James’ church yesterday were of the most inpressive character, carried out with great magnificence. The first mass was cele- brated at haif-past four A. M,, the pastor, the Rev. Father Farreliy, acting as celebrant, assisted §=by Father Callaghan as deacon, and Rev. Mr. MeEvoy as subdeacon. Tho church was filled to repletion. A most eloquent sermon, appropriate to the day, was preached by Rev. Father Farrelly. The mass sung was Gene- railes’ grand high mass, double quartet choir and chorus, Mr. Melville on at the organ. The altars, which are, perhaps, the finest im the city, were brilliantly lightea and decorated rO- fusely with flowers and ever ns, G pillars and galleries were festooned with evergreens. At balf-past ten A. M. another grand high mass Was celebrated, when a most cloquent and im- | ge a sermon was <lelivered by the Rey. Father it. Jouin, 8. J., of St. John’s College, Fordham, who took for his text, “And this shall be a sign unto you: you shall find tne infant wrapped tn swaddling clothes id in a manger.’ The rever- end gentiemap in eniarging on this text said that by the birth of the Saviour of mankind in a stabie under such extraordinary circumstances of kumilia- tion @ fatal blow had been dealt to what the Evange- list described as the occasion of all sin, namely, the concupiscence of the flesh, of the eyes and the pride of life. The number of communicants at the differ ent masses Was unprecedeniedly large. Trinity Chapel. The special services held at Trinity chapel, West ‘Twenty-fifth atreet, yesterday morning were aitended by a large and fashionable congregation. The inte- rior of this handsome Gothte edifice was decorated in the customary elaborate and appropriate manner. Manifest in the Mesh.’ mental servies =. ‘The solemp*ty of the sacra- . Sgreatly helgh" ened by the exqui- fate tousiel aceotpuimeniy. “ri n ner Of COM, administerie. {usually J@ige aud the ceremony of hour, ‘é the sacrament occupied nearly an Graee Church. 7 More tan usually fashionable seemed the audi- ence gathered yesterday morning in Grace church. 'Th's may be partially owing to the effect of the out- door sunlight streammg in through the richly stained windows, giving a richer glow to the toilet of the tadies, making up fully two-thirds of the con- gregation. The church, moreover, with ita festoons of evergreens and wreaths of cedar and laurel deco- rating the altar, pillars, walls and chancel, wore a pleasingly festa! ook, The monster—we speak now in @ purely physiological sense—Brown appeared unusually festive, and did the honors of his special vocation with wonted graco and agility, At eleven A. M., the hour for the services to commence, the church was crowded, even to the standing room in the vestibule, and continued so to the close. A few came, beyond doubt, as sincere worshippers; many came to see and be seen, and the most to hear the exquisite music for which this charch has so long been wtly historic, and in Order to hear by it be! Ea diriched among the dry ceremo- 3 of the Was hecessary to remain through the entire Sere * Rey, Dr. Pottet, the rector, aided by Rev. Tt McAllister, conducted the usual morning services, and at their close Dr. Potter preached a discourse. He took for his text Hebrews i., 6—“And again, Ra He bringeth tn the first begotten into the world le saith, ‘And let all the angels of God worshtp tiim,’?? ‘They had come togecher on this day, com- mémorative of the birth of Christ, to worsh{p and sing songs of gladness that Christ was born and come. to redeem the world, He would have them make it a day of hearty merriment—n day for chil- dren’s laughter—a wae they should carry out the rule of the old king, “Let us bo merry.” But theve should be something deeper than-mere worldly enjoyment—a weiling up of syiapathy for the poor, a spirit of forgiveness toward those who had tnjured them, @ determination to enter with more fidelity upon the discharge of their duttes as Christians. He pletared what would be the result if Christ was un- recognized on earth, if the bells of churches were tongue-tled and if the worship of Christ was inter- dicted, The condition of society, he showed, would then be worse than in the most terrible times of the French Revolution, and that lust and rapine and war would take possession of the carth. He next pro- ceeded to enforce their duty, on this above all other days, to remember their obligations to Christ. First, it was their duty to worsuip him. Most meet it was thet the walls of their church should ring with the worship and praises of their great Redeemer, who put on this human life of ours that we might know something of the Godlike life of fis. This was a day of. en hearted bounty to the poor and of stretching out the hands of kindness toward impoverished little ones, He hoped that none would sit down to-day to bounteous repasts in their own com- fortable homes without sending the sunshine of giad- ness into homes where comfort very little abounds and abundance is not known. He would also have them show their worship of Christ by good will to all men, and with the enforcing general forgiveness of all our enemies and enlargment of benevolence and more Christian like lives, he brought his sermon tog cl ‘the musical programme of the services consisted of Veniteand Gloria by Mosenthal, Te Deum by 8. P. Warren, Jubilate by Wm. Barge, Recitations from the Messiah sung by Mrs: Bodstein, hymn by Morzart and a Christmas Anthom sung by Mrs. Bodstein and Mr. George Simpson. All the pieces were executed with that artistic fineness of rendering and power of expression, for which the choir of this church have won such yepntation. The music fea- ture of the service was entirely a rare treat. The make up of the choir is a8 follows:—S, P, Warren Organist, Mra. Bodstein soprano, Mrs, Rachan alto, Mr. G. Simpson tenor and Mr. Nisbuseh a Prayers for the church militant, and taking up a collection closed tue services wiich lasted nearly two hours. St. Stephou’s Church—Dietsch’s Mass. Those who wish to hear the highest form of church music will Gud {iat this church on all great festi- vals, more particularly at Christmas times; The mass sung there yesterday was one never before heard in this country—a work of Louis Dietsch, or- ganist of the Church of St. Eustache, Paris, It was dirst produced in that church im the year 1838, It Is onagrander and broader scale than any of those masses commonly in use in churches. It is aiso very long and elaborate, there being no less than two hundred pages in the score. The Kyrte alone is a work in itself, The mass was given yesterday in a supérb manner by Thomas’ orchestra of thirty in- strumentalists, the crge Choral Union and others, numbering over sixty voices, all under the direction of the orgaidst, Dr. William Berge. The soloists were Mine, De Lussan, soprano; Mine. Anschutz, contral - to; Sigam ‘Lamsgo, tenor, and Mr, Duschmiiz, basso. ‘The oreitestra throughout the mass is very aud abounds in striking efiects. It occasionally reminds one of the Meyerbeer school. In hee | voices and insurumenis to produce a climax Mr. Dietsch dis- plays remurkable power. The Gloria opens randy. After a triumphant outburst of the entire orchestra, in which the staccato of the strings forms an effective contrast to the sustained notes of the brass and wind instramenta, and Wich ia somewhat iike the open- ing of the Goria in ihe Twelfth Mass of Mozart, the voices come in asin an octette and produce a atir- riag effect. The words Gloria in erceisis Deo are afterwards repeated in plain chant style, with striugs alone in the accompaniment. The Laudanus is one of the most beautiful tenor solos we have ever heard in @ mass, and it received full justice from Mr, ‘Tamaro, the strings aioue accompanying the volee. Then follows a lovely Ke Qui Toilis, which is equal tn melody to anything we have heard in cure maui The Quoniam ia a repetition of the opening. ‘The Cum Sancéo i# a fugue More trying Wan evea tie celebrated one in Mozgrt’s Twelfth. The basses open the Credo in an effective manner. The soprano has an excellent opportunity to display her powers in the solo At Jncarnatus, with string accompaniment and Mute, clarionet and bassoon obligatt. ‘The Cru. citrus is & ine example of declamation on the part of the basses and dramatic effect on the part of the orchestra. At Resurrecis commences with te tromboaes and is gradually worked up to a grand climax, emblematical of the triumph of the Ke- deemer over death. £t Merum Veniurus Bst com- mences with a fanfare of trumpets to sigaify the coming of the last dread Jadge. The finale of the Credo i4 grand in the extreme. There are many gems also in the Stnetus an ignus Dei, At the olertory Berge’s brilliant arrangement of the Adeste Was sung. Thomas led the orchestra tn the Semira- made overture before mass. and in the march from the Reine de Saba at the’end. it is sejdom such & grand work as Dietech’s Mass is heard in @ caurch in this eit The great church was crowded in every part— pews, aisles and galleries—a vast luman wave filing its whole space, beating restieasly but nolselessiy, even against the steps of the sanctuary. Many among this concourse Were but idie loungers, curious re- specting the forms of Catholic worship or attracted ly the expectation of grand orchestral display. But . there were othera, aud these the larger number, pious Christians, who came to make their humble ing they that day celebrated, and jin in the holy sacrifice of the mass, comiaemorative of the work He afterwards accomplished. Between the gospel and creed the Rev. Dr. MeGiynn, pastor, preached an in- structive lesson frum the gospel of the day, the firat chapter of John, commencing, “in the beginning was the Word-and the Word was with God and the Word was God,” and closing, “aud the Word was made fesh and dweit among us.” The rever- end speaker pointed out from these sen- tences the immensity and grandeur of the mystery of the incarnation, the eternal Word, which was in the begtumiog, ~— man’s weak and sinful form for the work of hisredemption, Re- ferring wo the lowly condition of the incarnate One's encry Into this life, he called attention to the virtues of humility, patience aud pious resignation, and which Jesus wisned we should learn from bim; and also charity forthe poor and abject, the weak and the crippled, closing with an appeal tn favor of the poor peste Jeit to the care of the church, and for whom @ collection is taken up in all the Catholic churches of the city at all thelr masses on Christuias Day. But little efort at supplementary ornamentation | The morning services were conducted by the Rev. | Dr. Swope, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Olmstead, The usual formulary of morning confession and prayer having been completed the Kev. Dr. Swope delivered @ Singuially Hawressive sermop on Wie text “God | was apparent in the church, the rich, prominent decorations of the building rendering snch unneces- sary. The altar was, however, tastefully festooned With green, ia honor of the festival, Charch of St, Charles Borromeo, Brooklyn, The Christmas services tn the new church of St. Charles Borromeo, corner of Sidney place and Liv- ingston stree;, Brooklyn, were conducted yesterday with great solemnity, under the direction of the pastor, Rey, Dr. Freel. Although the butiding has been but recently erected, to supply the place of the oid church, which was destroyed by fire last spring, and is not yet complete in ita internal decorations—_ the walls and the space above the tabernacie being stil unadorned with pictares—such beauty as crosses, stars ond wreaths of evergreens could impart was tastefully supplied, giving quite an appropriate tioliday alr to the antinished interior. — high mass was celebrated at half-past ten, Father Thomas McGivern being the colobraut and Rev. Dr. Freei deacon, The music was superb. It was rendered by the quartet chotr, composed of Mime. M. Boulignt, soprano; Miss t. Pethick, alto; Mr. C, L. Brust, tenor, and Mr. O, Fleming, basso, A Well-balanced orchestra was added to the admir- able organ performance of Mr. Wiillam Dressler, the conductor and organist of the church, who has been able, through many years’ connection with tie sing- ers, to make the most perfect choir im the city. Ti mass was Generall’s most brilliant composition in O; tie Saneius, and Benedictus, qui venti in Nomine Dominé, were by Rin At the offertory the Cantiqi de Noel, & soprano — solo and chorus, a grand piece, with an exquisite orches- fral accompanimer®, Was given by 4 adame Hou ligal. This is a new arrangement of Dressie does him great creddt. The Christinas Aceste Fides, was splendidly sung beio mon, #&fervid and touching discourse, whic lelivered by itev. Dr, Freel, after (he a wea tho gospel of the day, taken jvom We fi offering of love and prayer to ilim whose first com. | chapter of St. John, from the first to ti pov y = mass was concluded tire esr ? in’s grand overture to “Wil- liam Tell.” The collection was for the beneit of the copeene—« pomencsontate disposition of the con- tions on the val of the child saviour, who declared thatof those who fill our orpiau asylums the kingdom of God is composed, urteonth Anthon Memorial Church (Protestant "pisco- pal)=Ceremonies on Christmas Eve for the Sunday School—Rev. S. H. Tyng, Jr— Large Collection for the Newsboys, ‘This church, on West Forty-eighth street, near Seventh avenue, was almost inconventently erowded on Christmas eve, all the Sunday school children otf the church and their parenis having been invited to attend, An immense Christmas tree was erected in the main aisie, illuminated with numerous wax tapers and bending under the weight of suitable aye age give at i and appropriate toys for the smallest. Rev. T. A. Jaggar, the rector, oficiated, and in inpeeanive words explained the im- Portance of the festival to mankind, and Rev. Ste- hen H. » Pronounced the benediction, ad- and eloquent remarks to the chil- aren and ir elders. @ collection from the children alone amounted to seventy dollars, in- tended to assist in furnishing the newsboys of the city a “merry Christinas.”” Church of the Annunciation. At the Chureh of the Annunciation, in West Four- tedhitl Breet yesterday morning, divine services were celebrated according to the Episcopal ritual, The church was handsomely decorated with evergreens and holly, and over and!in front of the altar three evergreen arehes were sprung, the middle arch being surmaunted by a large cross. A large and fashionable congregation were in attendance, A very fine sermon was delivered by the rector, the Rey. W. J. Seabury, who took his text from the second chapter of St. Luke, eleventh and twelfth verses. ‘The music was also very fine, the different anthems, chants and hymns being well rendered by a choir of boys, under the able management of Mr. Jerome Hopkins, Mr. W. Wild presided at the organ. St. Teresa’s Roman Catholic Church. At St. Teresa’s church twelve masses were cele- brated yesterday morning, the first a solema high mags at half-past four o’clock, the pastor, the Rev. Father Boyce, officiating. The high altar was sur- mounted by a brilliant yas jet in the shape of a crescent, presenting the words “Gloria in Excelsis Deo.” The altar was decorated with natural flowers, eens by @ lady member of the congregation: ‘he chureh at each of the masses was filled to tts utmost capacity with devout worshippers. At the earlier masses Over one thousand persons received the blessed sacrament. The choir was under the conduct of Mr. McGrath, the organist of the church, under whose direction the grand music of Rossint was brilliantly executed. The second high mass was celebrated at half past ten o'clock in the fore- noon, the Rev. Father Flattery officiating. St. Francis Xavier's, At the Chureh of St. Francia Xavier, in West Six- teenth street, a selemn high mass was celebrated at ten o’clock yesterday morning. The church is un- dergoing repairs, and consequently there were no decorations of any amount. ‘the altar was, how- ever, brilliaftly lighted and decorated with natural flowers. A large congregation was present, who listened devotedly to the services. The grand mass ‘was celebrated by Rev. Father Daly, assisted by the deacon and sub-dea ‘The music and solos were finely rendered, Rey. Father Daly delivered an able and carefully prepared sermon, taking for his text the second chapter of St, Luk uke. St. George’s Church.. One of the greatest holidays in the Protestant Episcopal calendar is Christmas Day. Yesterday tuo service at St. George’s church, Rutherford place, was performed as on Sunday. The attendance was largeand fashionable. The music was rendered with superior effect and the choral singing was excellent. The Rev. Dr. Tyng and son officiated. Dr. Tyng preached the sermon, taking his text from the fifty- third chapter of isaiah—‘'He 18 despised and rejected of men.” The reverend preacher commenced by remarking on the sirict fulfilment of these prophetic words in the sacred book, and roceeded to review the wonderful history of the birth of the Son of God, dwelling with much eloquence on his humble infant life, the visit of the shepherds and the magi to the stable where the new n King of Heaven was brought forth. How sublime, how impressive, what deep and holy lessons does it not inculcate, 1 the reacher; and after showing that the ac of the aviour in becoming man was purely an act of love, he exhorted his hearers to meditate on that love and respond in grateful affection by leading lives of charity and truth, Communion took place after the sermon, * THE DAY AT THE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS, Christmas is a time of rejoicing, not only for the wealthy, who are surrounded by all the luxuries that wealth can bestow, who enjoy the socicty of friends and the fascinating influences of splendid entertainments, but also the poor and lowly, and even the inmates of the public institutions are made to feel its joyous influence, Tn the various institutions on Blackwell's, Ward's, Randai’s and Hart’s Islands the inmates were treated to a bountiful Onristmas dinner of chickens, turkeys and pies, followed by various and amusing entertainments, Commissioners Brennan and Beil visited the hos- pitals and asylums to supermtend the arrangements and to see that their instructions were fully carried out. RandaiPs Isinud. A very interesting entertainment was afforded the children, which commenced by prayer by the chap- lain, Rev. Marinus Willett. This was followed by a hymn, in which ‘all the children joined fn one chorus of thanksgtving and praise. The programme comprised hynins, dialogues and addresses, which were all executed in a very satisfactory manner; after ‘which the liitle ones retired to enjoy, their Christmas dinner. ‘The good Santa Claus had also visite? the island, for several Christmas trees, hung with tempting dolls, jumping jacks and toys of all kinds, were among the attractions. Mrs, Gibbens, who keeps the Home for Fallen Women, on Tenth avenue, and other ladies, attended with baskets full of such things aa can delight the hearts of young folk. The children looked clean, well clad and perfectly happy. Bven the unfortunates.of the idiot \syinim looked cheerful and ¢ontent, as they enjoyed their sumip- tous Christmas inners . Ward's Jaland. ‘There are number of infant claldren in the nursery hospital here who are to be transferred to the new hospital on Kandail’s Island when completed, The poor little outcasts appeared to be well cared forand fed. Though not old enough to admire the pretty Christmas trees or the litte toys they articasly played with, still they looked happy, as if they could realize that it was the agaiversary of the coming of the Babe of Bethlehem. ‘The Inebriate Asylum is the most interesting in- stitution upon the island. It is fitted up in the most sumptioua manner. The floors are carpeted, the furniture ts of the best and most modern style, the library is well stored with books and the dinner table, which was laden with the chotcest viands, waa waited upon by clean, well dressed servants, A stranger, stroiling throngh the diferent apartments and seeing the ying them, elegaut, well dressed [oan oceu might naturally conclude that he had dropped tuto some firat class hotel. Several of the gentlemen were engaged at bil- liards, others were reading, while many Were gaily chatting with their friends, who had paid them @ Christmas visit. They celebrated the festival with & grand musical and rena envertainment, under the controi of the Medical Superintendent, Dr, W. K. Fisher, which was followed by a serio-comic ex- travaganza calied “The Excise Law.’ As for their Christmas dinner it did not admit of much improve - meant upon thelr regular fare. Blackwell's island. The mauy institution hospitals, asyluma, alma houses, Penitentiary, &c., on Uils island were ail fitted up for the occasion. The rooms were adorned with wreaths and flowers, while several Christmas trees glowed with their tempting prizes. Even the poor gibbering imbeciles of the lunatic asylum laugued and cnattered and danced around with de- light, and the Keepers had to keep aclose watch upon them to prevent them from be tg lh A the toys and flowers that so captivated their bewiidered minds. — They, too, had their Christmas dinner of fowl and other meats, and ‘ fi Le evening were pated to @ magic lantern exhibition. iene inmates ‘of the Penitentiary appeared to enjoy themselves !n a more exhilarating manner than the others, A fiddler was perched up on a ratsed dats in the hall, scraping away for the pare life, while around him couples gaily tripped it on the light fan- tastic toe. From the gracefal, artistic dancing of some of the young women it Was too evident that they were once the belles and admiration of some low play- house or flashy saloon. ‘This influence of a good dinner and the cheerfal surroundings seemed to exercise a most happy influ- ence upon all the inmates of the various tastitutions. by jughed and eae and pleasantly answered the kind inquiries the Commissioners. There is jn the Incurable Hospital @ most patriarchal looking Prenciunan, He is ninety-four years of age and has distinguished history. “He enlisted under the Firat Napoteon as a drummer boy and served all through his remarkable campatgns unttl after the battle of Waterloo, He ts yet a nate old man, able ‘To shoulder his crate And show how feits wer yught and won, | dhs old eves brighten tin and his bent Deuce assumes 2 o | martial bearing when he speaks of Le petit Pie + pereur, | The Juvenile Gurrsion Soctety. Yesterday the Juvenile Guardian Society heid its 4 Christinas festival and celebration tn the hall of No, | 207 Rowery, the Bowery Industrial, the Bowery Mis- | sion and the Clinton Mission schools, aggregating | upwards of 700 scholars, being present, under the | direction of the superintendent, D. F. Robertson, Appropriate addreyses were mace, and some singing by the children was an interesting feature of the occasion, Two large Christinas trees, laden with Sanus Claus’ merchandise, were prominent objects, especially to the eyes of the deligtited juveniles, aud presets Were distributed to all the children, Free Holiday Entertzinments. ‘The trustees of the Cooper Union for the Advance- Ment of Sclence and Art announce the following attractions for the working classes during the holi- days:—The new picture galiery, to which nearly all the artists of New York have kindly loaned their Works, will be open day and eveuing. Dr. Boynton’s matinée for ladies and children only to-day at two P. M. preciscly, Admission b; the ticket previously issued for Dr. Boynton’s ihe oe No boys over sixteen years old will be ad- This gyening Professor Wootester has generons): consented ‘to present his series of beautiful views ct Paris ang t Xposition, Doors open at seven and close it o'clock precisoly. On ati ext, Janvary 2, Dr. Boynton wilt ve @ final lecture to tue Institute aud cir ends, Tickets will issue from the office of the curator, Vincent Colyer. » The Fantastic: Contrary to their usual custom tho made no display yesterday in the shape of a gro- tesque parade through the qlty on horseback. Only @ few of them, including the Sristinan and the inevitable Yankee, both in the antiquated costume ¢ fanny fellows: of their respectivgy countries, were observed to take their departure in a Third avenue ear from the vicinity of the City Hall, bound, io doubt, for some festive suburban retreat to ev\v the day in their own pecullar manner, Terget Excursions. There was a great falling o: target excursions yesterday when compared with previous years, Whether this was owing to the coldness of the day or to a desire to honor the festival of inan’s redemp- tion In a more quiet and domestic manner at the fireside by that class of the co;inunity who hitherto turned out on excursions we Gina \t is that, beyond one or two sm cipally composed of boys, in Ila 1, and O1e com. pany down town, no further y Was Inale, as far as our reporter could see or ieari, SKATING, Christmas on the Ice—Where the Skaters Went. iq Personal preferences determine for different inai- viduals divers amusements, and personal prefer- ences are largely influenced by coustitutional tem- perament. This fact way clearly proved yesterday; for although the holiday was walyersal the various means of enjoyment which were ised were as differ- ent as were the persons who inade holiday. Some found their highest enjoyment in re:naming within doors and taking part in the picasures of the home circle; others made use of the day as an excuse‘ for bacchanallan jollification; ome hiclped to augment the crowds which filled up tlie various places of amusement in the city; whilo others (and a goodly number, too) took advantage of the general holiday by spending {ts hours upon the tce in pursuit of ther favorite pastime. There are a great many persons who cannot skate and who have never elt any in- clination to learn to do 80, and to these tt seems quite a mystery that really sensi)/c¢ men and women can find true enjoyment in gilding aboot over the slippery surface of some frozen pond, and there are others who would very much like to be skaters, bat who, from constitutional weakness or infirmity, are altogether unfitted for its healthful ¢xercise, To both these classes the most ciariuing of all winter outdoor exercises is a “dead letier.” aud therefore they are incompetent to say anything about it—at any rate to its disadvantage. To know how to skate nowacays is almost 2 neces- sity with all those who are anxious to be considered up to the times, and a young ian or laly who cammot go alone upon the ice is hardly considered to have finished nis or her edncation, vuring the past few years skating has been alinost reduced to a science in our midst, and it is apt too much to say that there are more skilled skater’, both male and female, in this country than in ang of tt Huropean States. The great charm about the si torial art is that it Is exitlaratiag aud health-eivi and caleylated to add @ gencral robustness to the human frame. ‘Then, too, it is an amusement if, which beth ladies and gentiernen can take part. Ladies have for a long time sufiered for the want of good, healthtul ontdoor amusement. While young men were enjoying their baseball and cricket, yachting and rowing, shooting and hunting, ladies were for a long time without any outdoor sport in the enjoyment of whych they shoold be able to secure invigoraing exercise. Mrs. Granay. old curmudgeon, had made i* improper for tie tler sex to have any peculiar amusement which could be enjoyed in the open air, and also forbidden their joining in the sports of the “lords of creation.”’ Put when skating became fashions ments were broken, end the appearance upon the ice in large numbers, and « tered into the sport with great zest and enthustasr Skating is now looked forward to by ladies and yw tlemen as the great pleasure of winter, and t!c Christmas holiday 1s always used by large nuimbers in the enjoyment this most enjoyable of winter pas- times, ¢ Yesterday was cold. Those persons who ouly left their homes to walk through the streets on thelr way to visit friends or to enter sone of the theatres which were opened to provide amusement for tie holiday throngs imstinctively buttoned their coats tughtiy,and thrust ther hands deep tn thet as they felt the wintry breeze; oe who ¥ velling felt draughts playing around ti every window in the cars and huddied ro staves; even indoors, bolore a blazing ti dimicuit to keep warm all over at ot hotwithstandiug all the coldness of the hundreds of skaters starter out for the varior determined to brave the breath of Old Uo: get themselves warm in spite of lim. There was jrooa ice everywhere. King Frost liad bee: + or three days in preparing for the skating carnival, and hie servants had been seconaing hrs efforts, so subjects should not be disappointed of t led enjoyment, If the weather had mor ust a little the skating yesterday would slighlly CS oe but even ag it was, al every exposed portion of anatomy witich wa the wind was made to feel the nippimg blest, ihe skatatorial devotees acemed happy and the col! ar in the vicinity of the skating places was st) warmed by the merry laughter of the joyous whir CHRISTMAS DAY was a carnival day. What though the tey wit®t wos laying hide and seek around each corner, i reezing everything with its congealing powe: and the , i was though the ponds were exposed and gave ua rupted opportunity for the wind to peep into every face and whistle round every form; what thong: ride in the cars was a long and freezing one—was ” not Christmas day, & general holt¢ md was not the best ice of the season over w . numbing power of the frost-laden breeze? Away with all fear of coid, don the warmest clot wrap round the muiiler and away for a day's gout fun on skates—a Christmas on skale: ‘ lovers of skating a dl, and as a contoquen: i the ponds were well flied irom an early hie 1 morning unul late at night, THE PARK PONDS. oe inthe Park are public pro upon them the poorest possessor of a pair of } may proudly gil also of great extent and upon them the beet 4: may disport themselves without the least ic f having their career cut short by clamsy commen ors In the stady of progression w the ies, As y ’ sequence they are of all ponds the bes and upon them a more motley crowd m: than anywhere else in the city. Yesterday wher r skating waa allowed large ctowids were moving about bs the crystalized sur various ponds, constituents of (he tne ing were of all classes, The young cierk, covered with heavy coat and ce the city gamin, whose scanty clothing seemed t bat poor defiance to the searching wind: thes) ‘niag,” whose reddened cheek and noley spoke of heaith and happiness; the pale wo who seemed as tf the colt were picre trough her; the sturdy mechanic, if he was to braving the could do; the dressed up exqursite, whose loves: fe suggestively of freezing fingers ar ‘olly of fashion; the elderly fac mg his the radiments of the skating scien huvdred others were to be seen, ail pp to and fro, and all apparently re pleasure in the same pursuit. There good skaters, fair skaters, bud *kat some that were no skaters at all. Here o threw himself round and round | and still kept his equilibrium; | writing his name upon the glittering sur: a lady who was dome the “double roll’ wonderful feats which are the ambition of mortals; It another place five or six indie" impromptu race, and yet again others \ doing backwards what it is thou to do forwards. And then a erty ' winners in the art in all stage: ‘oO Kissed the ice a¥ soon as their feet wouck who, having escaped a fall for sone mina ently foand their ack HOR the msel¥es contemptatt # seden ition. It was good fun to watch some of a suese 1p ide without tee or reward. They acc * ee ee a, RSE Se