The New York Herald Newspaper, December 23, 1870, Page 6

6 how Best to Celebrate the Greatest, of Christian Festivals, — ¢ Bketched of the Sirests and Sisnes | in Moliday Dress. i Where to Purcliase the Gifts of the Season, nen pera as A STROLL THROUGH ALL HE TRADES. Flow Oprlaimas te come, Let us heat PP, the dram, And call all our neighbors together, Al bi ppear Let us mal nm) Such cheer ’ Aa will keop out the wind and the weather, ; Afew more bright, short winter gays and from every steeple of every church thronghout the wide domains that have yielded themselves willing cap- tives to the spell of the story Of Bethlehem the Joy* ous clangor of lond-volced bells wii sweep Yhrough the stiliness of = thie night and masher in with peals of mirth and glufmess the first hours of another blessed Ohristiaas morn- ‘ng. And then once more the one grand festival of Christendom will be celebrated by the four hundred milhons of the children of ‘the crows, sprang from many races, speaking many tongues, and seattered through every clime, from tho icy soltudes of the Worth through every belt of the habitable globe down to the far isles that, ike precious gems, stud the bosom of the Southern seas. The imagination recoils in dazzled wonder at the vastness of tie > Laannentneaniiineanes nema meee WERRY CHRISTMAS, | gum of human happiness which this Loly season brings wpon wf A REJOICING BARTIL And every year—thero can be no doubt of it—the festival gaine o stronger hold upon the affections ‘and the hopes of men. Ono more glorious anit has ‘been added to the centuries of by-gone celebrations, ana the reflected light of tradition and custom beats go much the brighter upon the present aud en- owas it with added solematty and meantag. Nothing, perhaps, displays more strikingly the @ivine origin of Vhristianity than the usages and pentiments which have clustered rownd tblae tts ehiefest holy season. Most vtuer religions have had to blush for the occasions on which they gave free rein to the pious enthusiasm of their votaries, The saturnaila of Greece and Rome, the obscene orgies of the ypuan Astarte and the Babylonian Venus, and,in our wn day, the Hindoo “povjah’” on the birthday of ‘Vishna, are aii alike dark celebrations of the basest and most degrading passions that inhabit the human breast. Even the Mussulman “itairam,” which marks the close of the month of fasiing and prayer tg stained with disgusting outbreaks of lewdness ‘end license of every descripuon. But the purified fmagination of the Clristian world has coaveried the commemoration of the birth of TUE LIGHT OF THR WORLD into one of the ost touchingly aitecting of haman Institutions. Through the rest of the year, alas! tie nase of Obristian men seein More an xi0U3 to Observe the letter than to live up to the spirit of the gospel f good will and of peace, and while warring among themselves upon nice points of dogmatic theology, aud painfully dividing into a thousand ecclesiastical we. fragiuents, they forget almost entirely, or, at any rate, only remember at rave itervals that chariiy and peace-making and forgiveness ure the cardinal virtues Inculeated by Him who dizd to save ug Bu m TRIS BLESSED SEASON, upon the happy verge of which we are even now standing, by common consent, the atoms that make wp the Christian world jay aside the weapons of eontroversy and engage with all their heart and sopl and strength if the more fruitiul duty of LOVING ONE'S NIGUBOR AS ONE'S SELY. Even in thoso remote ages when the heart of Europe was but a dim, unpeopled forest, and when rude Scythian barons and colonies of seil-denying mOnks were sowing deep the sceds of future civil Hization, the day of Noel was chicfy honored by fhe putting away of every fecling of rancor and enmity, by the healing of ancient feuds, by abundant alms to the poor—ior ibere were poor men even In those primitive days—and by cheeriul feasts, in which oli cl asses and castes of men frecly mingled together, And the same blessed spirit 18 shed yet more palpably and abyndantiy by the same noly festival in our own time, Sad and deep indeed must be the wrong to which jorgiveness is reused when the hearts of all mea ure LIT BY THE KINDLY INYLUENCE of this blessed season into a glowing fame of love and gladness. Kinsmen and friends, long divided by calumny and m presentation and pride, are again knit together in close bonds of .gental fellew- ship, and, after living gayly out the week of mirth ana festivity that ends the dying year, they start forward through the long course of its successor once more oompanions together, walking in the same path, re- heving each other’s sorrows und shariig each other's joy Then, too, iow caveriy THE POOR AND THE UNFORTUNATE Jook forward to tls happy y, when for a few Bhort lionrs their burden of misery wiil ceriainly be Nghtened vy hands that thronging memortes of the Good Shepherd have made unusually liberal and strangely tender and lovi For every good mai counts 16 a duty in this cleery carnival of glauness to remember tie undapp i aleviate, go lar as ne 43 abie, the sum of human misery, And even the = goverunients of ail Ohbristian lands, thouyt they are report to be absolutely heart Jess av) selfish at all ¥ seasons, are for once thawed by the contagion of the time into Kindness and metcy. Prisons, almsnouses, and the asylums for all the sad clildren of vice a2d misfortune and crbue, sre for once fragrant with the fumes of good cheer, and the imaates of their dismal walls are allowed to bask for a few short hours in the enjoy. pee of what has now become to them av almost forgotten comfort. And who can teil HOW MANY ACHING HEARTS, ‘weary of tho burden of living as outcasts, shat out from every genial lnfluence of love and mercy, ate redeeinced from u:ter despair by the charities o1 this welcome gala day, and nerved with fresn strength toni ‘gle, if the opportunity but come to them, of deserving once more the friendship of good men? Surely a faith whose highest and most importaas festival rains down au infivence so benignaut as this may Well boast its birth from the skies. But it is at , THE FINESIME HEARTH of happy homes that the flume of Christmas roorri- feat blazes brigutest. What man ig there, however jonely may be his present lot, however sadly bereft ‘of friends and however grimly environed ob’ ever: side by sorrow and misioriune; who does not loo! Back with a fuli heart and swimmmg eyes upoa the terry Christmas days of his chiidnood and early ath? Solomon sail that there wasa time to be erry, and by common consent the world hag Paced the anniversary of the birth of the Saviour of din the front rank of social fostivals. The reunion of faatiies is at this season Indesi almost a duty, aud one, too, wiien 18 Teligiousiy observed, Who can teil how many thousands of men beneath ‘Whose eyes these lines will fall wall read them as they speed along on their annual journey “home,” to make merry in the midst of their Kinvred? And though each Christian Jand has tts own peculiar Christmas usages, the celebrations every where agree 4p tone and spirit, and are ail designed for the same end—to banish far irom the learth every cl of anxiety, every shadow of ennui, every pang of sor- ow, aud to light up the assembled family circle into the Overfowlug cathusiasm of lesuvity, ‘And drat — the means of inducing rejoicing comes, of THE CHRISTMAS FEAST, which in all lands has been @ recognized occasion of permissible and harmless Bi igin a ‘The univer- ntiment of the dine, indeed, veel 014 English poets ppt 4 ‘Le! now is come our Joyfullost feast, Bumerey Be be iat And Row o}) ovr neighbors’ ‘And Chiang bloek Their ovens iuey w' And ail thelr spite ave turaing, Without door iet sorrow lle; Wet oace iden, to dia Mm a Chrismas And evermore ve merle. va & pleagant thing to remember that Ohrist- ‘all, by prescriptive right and by tmume- chimneys smoke, are buiniigs al" teats choke OWILDREN'S Fesvrvab, tho little ones, whom He whose commemorates took up In Hy ‘A ta Klaus, and bia wondertul Sho sree eae cud de " ¢ e kind. thatare insplied by the induence of by the agency of that mar- the minds of thé little ones gladness, Aud whnt previgue NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1870, Perey casnariteecg a Fitts those offerings of the Santa, “Kiane are! Ong alter they have pi away 1 We mater val eyo, scores Of years after th§ ‘toys have been vokén and burned, and the cay menched and eaten, tuele memory will ri in the uunds of the matured man, a8 be wanders in reverle through ‘the past, and he will sigh as he remembers that the kbid bands that thus mi red to his happiness ave cold and helpless, and that the dear voice whic! first told him tias strange legend of Santa Kiaug A whose moste he can never forget 1s sull and silent. And then YO OURISTMAS TRET! No other fete of the little ones can compare cer- tainly with that which is held bencath tho shadow of the dark green branches, bedecked with many- colored ornaments, and Hghied briliiautly with its dozens of tiny, twinkling wax lights, nat man mual, indeed, be dead to every oon ment of hainan ympathy who does not gaze with pleasure upon 80 Brunt and beautiful ascene. The glee of the de- lighted children, their spackling eyes and fashed cheeks and beaming ‘aces, and the light airy musle ot Luci Innocent volves—these ate, indeod, ihe best And most beautiful episode of tho Onristmas car- nival. Already, and, indeed, for a forimight past, VHS STREETS AND BTORKS of the erty have given plain and un nistakable signs of the nearness of the coming festival and of the preparations that are being made to give it a fitting and enthusiastic cciedrauon. In some quarters, 16 15 true, complainta are made of hard times, of scarcity of money, of dulness gr trade; but most assure lly such quoralous Walla are bui the ustomed ‘growls’ of the veleran croakers to sm the wor.d never appears bathed i the rosy tinted light of hope. Storegeepers 0! all kinds report a Jurger trade than Uiey have ever done before, aad any one WhO Nas beey much abroad in the streets and has pushed his wéy through tie vast crowds of “purchasers that have thronged, and are now throng. ing wore (dick ly than ever, tie toy shops and the lafiey goods’ stores must kuow that this year’s busl- bees 1s poyond the average. And what can be more choery and eniiveaing to au who have stilla corner of their hearts leit for sympathy with the pleasure of them fellow creatures than to watch the sur and bustieand noise with whien this Christmas,trade brightens up Lue stresta ? From iorn ali through the bugit sunshine of the short winter day unlit tie lamps are lit and the stores grow magicaby brilliant with imnumerable gas joty, the principal thoroughfarcs are one con+ stant busy scene of baying and se!ling and carrying home the Wuousand and one articies Wat make up CHRISTMAS GOOD CHEER, or serve aa gilty to gladd-n the hearts of old and young ailke. It seems, too, a8 thougit a special and kindly qiapensation of Providence ned ordemed that this pleasant season should como in the uidst of winter, for the rude but kindly blasts of tne north wins lead a flush to the face, aad brace up tho nerves to an energy and activity that endow tne Scere with additioga! animation and interest, Art has already done much to fx upon the canvas, with the graphic peucil of truth, the more proui- neat and piquant features of the Christmas festival da the “good oid days of yore; aud the Cliristinas jue of the manor houses of Eugland, with ali its exuberant heartlaess and overflowing fun, is protty well familar to us, But would not @ sketch of Broadway, in tho height of the uoliday season, carry off the palm for sincerty of Christmas enthusiasm? The splendid stores, crammed trom floor to roof aud in literal Pareell, 86 John street; Mr. Wemyss, No. 3 Astor placo, and Mr. Wilson, 73 Bowory. DRY GooDs, + Next tn importance to toys and Jewelry in the business of ihe season comes the dry goods trade, People who are too poor to squander money in supercuities of ornament, and who sul desire to MAK some geagonable yiit to the members of thelr household, indulge in the — proitavie ars chase of’ a suit of clothes or o shawl or Qik dress, or perhaps a few patra of ploves or Some littio Article of useful couyetty. Already the handsome show made by Mr, . Stewart hag been noticed, and we shall now, therefore, Covote a few brief lines to pointing out the moro noticeable among the other stores, in various quarters of the city, Where purchasers may fad a variety of choice goods at reasonabie rates, Lovd & Taylors new siure on Broadway 1s filicd with au elegant assort- Ment of every article that can be imagined in the way of ladies’ toilets, and is literally crammed with @ constant stream of buyers, At thd corher of Sixth avenue and Fourteenth sireet, Macy’s seems also to bo one of the busiest centres of trade, and they ap- peal to ull classes of customers. They do not aito- gether copfae themselves to dry goods, but aiso display a very iarge assoriument of toys and chil- dren's articles, From early morning wll Inte at besieged, with, customers, and even ° e night they are ar with the large and’ attentive aviny of young ladtes—numbered by scores— whom they einploy it i8 a dificult matter for them to supply, the wants of the throng of cus- tomers. Smuail profits and large Bales seems to be the sensible basis of thelr business, and ts also, per- haps, the secret of its vasi extent. In Sixth ayve- nue there are @ puinber of other stores which also make very tasteful displays. For instance, Messrs, Stera Lros., Noy $°7; Messra, Altman & © of enty-lirst street; Mr, i, No. 620; Mr. J. Love, No. 31; Mr. Levisou, No. 295 and Richard Meares, corner of Nineteenth screet, The Bowery is also & chosen centre of this Bpecics of trade, though, of course, most of ifs sales are made to the less aris. tocratic Class of purchasers. Atong others may be mentioned Messrs, sugden & Uv, Nor 312, and Mr. W. K. Peyton, No. -72. Besides Stewart's ns, Broadway is brilliant with tious made by smailer, but de- serving establishments, such as Bir, Kinzey's, No. 691; Messrs. Lake's, corner ot enth street; Mrs. G or, No, 824; Union Adams, No. 93%, agd Mr. Myers, No. 785. In owier qi ra of the city we May Douce Messrs, Poster Bros, at 272 Bieecker, aud ac the corner of Kigith avenue and Eighteenth street, and Mr. Ebrick’s, 287 Kighth avenue, ‘The dry goods siore No, 12 Vesey, Mr, Pancuon’s, 19 and = ea place, and Messrs, Waker & Uo,, 245 POL corner CLOTHING. Jn another form of dry goods—gentiemen’s attire— the well known geuatlemen’s furnishlag vstablish- ment of Messrs. Brooks Brotheys, at tacit handsome store on Univa square, commands and Gcserves a very high rank and a corresponding amount of cus tom. Messrs, Brokaw Brothors, on Fourteenth street, near Broadway, aiso claim notice for the variety of their stock aud @ well-carned reputation in the sartorial art. TATS AND CAPS. First among hatters, of course, comes the univer: sally Known nox, whose store, almost Immediately joining the UexALD Building, 13 constantly crowded with purchasers. The stores of Messrs, Eapencnied and of Mr. Warnock, of 619 Broadway, are well fact swelling ont at the doors with heaped up trea- sures and bicssings alike ror the eye and the mouik and ecacn of the Other organs of sense; the well dressed crowds, guyly tripping along, eagerly exam- ining each pronislug leature of tue general display; tie Loops of chucren following mm the train 0! mother or aunt or cousin and not unfrequently laden With Ue toy Spouls of @ morning's long campaign; 80 Many happy faces aud such a prodigal abundance of every maverial element for raising yet higuer the the weulal enthusiasm of the seasoa—these if ren- dered with tidelity would certalaly maxe up @ pic ture of singular charm and interest. But now it 15 high tume that we should accompany our readers upon our usual Cliristmas journalsic saunter through the principal stures and point out in detau tuelr inost seasouadle oy Vaiuable or popu- jar contents. The only difficulty is to know where to begin. Already we have, in a special arti- cle, displayed the attractions of Tifany’s and Ball & Biack’s and the omer princtpal jewelry stores, every gem of art or beauty or intriisic value, te Jor presents, May be sound. So, perhaps, 11s best now at once to visit the Bext most por. ae of the season, and possibly the most Z of all, for it concerns the happiness of whose part and lot in Christmas Las 44 SLOWD to be pre-eminent, aud take up the toy stores. : THE TOY TRADE. And it may be said in starting that. but very few people mdeed have anfthing like au adequate con- ceplion Of te enormous capiial eraployed in the Tanulacture and distrioution of the wiies, whose happy late it is to make the innocent iaces und brigh! of the “litle ones” beam with sarprise and pie: nd then, alter a few days or mouths or years of wear and tear, to pass away for ever foto TiS Miabo Of Msed-up and piayed-out hobbies, Tu Germany and Switzerland mai Village subsists entirely by toy-making, and scores of thousands of deit-Randed workers toil out their whole lives ia industrlousiy minisiering to the plea- 6 Of the nursery, Then, nearfy all (ne great toy of the world keep in their employ a tur sprinkilug of men of braius and artistic taste, Who spend tho greater part of their time ta devising in- geuteus and novel mechanical combinations, or in giving. Without any great increase in the cost of pro- duction, a more beautifnl and timehed form to toys aggeration to say that i oriune to the lucky man Wie first Introduces it to tie public, But a few minutes siroll Hirough the store of MESSRS, STRASMURGER AND CO. of 394 Brondway—an immense warehouse of five fioors, each groaning beneath the weight of countless talliions of greaver wud iesser toys—will bring ome these lacts far more sirthiagly than mere verbal Cesoviption, And first of all 1¢ must be nadersiood tilat this store is but one of mi branches of the same firm, which, from ity headquarters in Ger: Many, has pushed out its operations ia every part of the New Wortt—in New York, New Orleans, Rio Janeiro and the west coast of South America—vatil it annually distributes many mulllons* of dollars’ worth of toys. On the first noor, bo ppote tga facing the visitor a3 he enters is a big card, upon which are sevetched out, crucified thieves, some five or si. dozen assorie ang iD magnitude from the perfect a mite, destined the doll hor reely bigger than & watch charm, to the footand a tail long lady, with body o: ust and head and shoulders of wax. The price of the smallest size you will be told is $l 75 a Just imagine how many oi7 them must 1 ail over the Barth, and into* how mapy ndreds of thousands of homes they must be introduced, before the sales can reach ¢von a poor thousand dollars! And if you express: Surprise at tleir exceeding cheapness, you will be toid that they are made by mach mery, the Cost of Which, with ne ry appliances and labor, in- Volves & capitai of $25,000, Oi course these minia- ture dolls are not ihe only varicty of tins species of goods inanafactured, Even more common are sets 33. Oi dolis’ liouse ture, cups, saucers, vases, &¢., which at one dollar the gtoss—two-thirds of & né @ piece, And these prices, incredible as they m, are made wp to the extent of forty-live per cof custom honse autles and chatges, Some of the crnuineuts for Chrisumas trees, too, are weil worth looking at. Every year the improvement in their workmanship 1s very masked, while the de. Signs ave constantly Iucreasing in Bumber. For in- stauce, only afew years ago the little “silver bells” were first introduced, and their etfect in contrasting with the dark grecn foliage of tne Christmas tree soon made ibem popular with all but the youngsters who dréw thei im the final lottery, and who were unabie to find that they were of any use ept to hang up by @ string or to be broken tb pieces, pw the bail has been set in liste stocked with all the’ latest und most fashiouabie novelties. FURNITURE. There are some Ciristinas purchasers, however, who may desire to invest in yet more permanent and lasting and equally ubllitarian gifts, such as @& set of chalrs, or a lounge, or a handsome table, or a new carpet, any of witich may, perhaps, coming from a loving husband, vo regurded by @ seasivle housewife ag an even more valuable present than lighter tries. Perhaps even some American bob Traddles, saving up Jor approaching matrimony, may wish to oiler to nis tatended spouse some light article of furniture, such asa loo table or a wash- staud, as Mr. Dickeas tells us his. prototype in his eariy, priefess, bacuelor aays did to the clergyman’s daugiter. We Lave also a fui list of names of this character, such a8 Messrs. Bassford, under the Cooper Institute; Mr. D. Kelly, 612 Eighth avenue; Degraaf & Taylor, 81 Fourth avenue, and Degraaf & Cochrane, 438 Canal giveet. At eltner of these stores: every specics of housekeeping goods may be ob- tained, of good quality and at moderate rates, BILLIARD TABLES AND SEWING MACHINES. . ‘Theyo are still other substantial articles that find @ Welcome piace in many a housexold and which may serve a3 pleasaut and seasonable offerings, Genuemen, for exd le, may present to each other ® delicate trie, such as one of Phelan’s billiard tables, with cushions sensitive and true to the last degree of perfection, and which contains the posst- bility of endicss evenings of harmiess and even in- structive amusement, combined with a beneficial Amount of physical exercise. Mr. Griftiths’ tables are algo very good ard may be had at varying prices, according to the purse of the purchaser. Or, ain. afeminine heart may be touched by one of the most graceful and useful articles of boudoir sural- ture—a sewing Tachine—wiich 1s certainly one of ‘the best investinents apon whien a husband or father or brother can lay out tacir surplus cash. Wheeler & Wiison’s, Grover & Baker's and thé Florence ma- chines are all very good, work with ease and preci- sion, and, With ordinary good treatment and care, acidom require repairs, > PIANOFORTES, Or again, what can be a handsomer present to an accompiisued young lady—or, lor that matter, also toa musteal bachelor—than a good piano? And here we have indeed a long lst of first class makers ani deaiersto select irom. First of all, perhaps, be placed Messrs. Stemway & Sons and Waters, whose instruments, for finish and delicacy of tone, have acquired a world-wide repu- and are now being largely exporied to Mr. J. ©. Barnes, of 187 kighth street, has and splendid stock of first class instraments, ough uot, of course, -so well known as the entioned, hig piatios are aurabie, of moderate price, carefully hnished aud exce it in ton Among ofacr makers and dealers-may be mentioned Messrs, Steedian & Hailyer, of No. 05 We sixteenth street; Mr. J. N. Pattison, No, 50 y: f (ore and Jennys & Son, No BOOKS AND STATIONERY, Fowler & Wells, the pirenological savans, make a yery.good show of mos publications, ‘Their Toagasine, th 10 cal, With which 1s now combined Packar asonable Mum ber, and they displa ossortment of books, witch, though bearing but remotely upon €hrisimas, haye a good deal to do wiih promoung human happiness aud so may be considered not wn- seasonable gilts, Messrs, Hunter Bros, also offer a fine assortment of gift books, whose handsome bindings and artistic illustrations fit, them adiira- biy for the drawing room table or to be cherished as valued keepsakes, In fancy stationery, such as letter paper and envelopes, witi bordering of Christinas follage and appropriate legends, Messrs. slote & Janes, of No. 95 Fulton sirce!, havea fine aad varied seiection, and they may be visited by ail Who need diaries or bockeivooks or cardcases or any of this class of art PERFUMERY AND TOILET Goops, Among the many and miscellaneous contents which Santa Klaus pours into the magic stockings oi course perfainery of sonic form ox other holds & time-ionorea place. In former times the most popular gilt of this kind was a bottiée of cologne Water, but the: »now A score and more of new perfumes to se! from. Perhaps the following 18 4s good a selection a3 could be made o/ first class stores of this characier:—Phalon & Son, 617 Broad- way; Ditman & Co., Broadway and Barcioy; Mil hau, 183 Broadway; Rusiiton, 11 Barclay; Gouraud, 48 Bond, MEERSCHAUM PIPES, Another class of gifts, certain to please a bachelor endowed with the usual amount of buiall vices, 13 something connected with smoking, such as a box stands of bright pamtei wood and adoraed at the summit with a few imitation Sowers, aud it will serve as a valuable acquisition to the doil house. Some sets of dinner disues, filled with admirably painied and life-like imitations of all the most appe- Uzing viauds, from soup and fish dewn to the nuts and oranges of dessert, also ciaim notice as being really aviistic in design and execution. Then there are some little 3 globes, filled with floating fish, and costing oni; out & quarter of a dollar a dozen, that will be a popular feature in this year’s orna- ments. Messrs. Strasvurger’s warehouse is also Aled with a choice and complete assortment of the more expen. varieties of toy, such as mechaul- cal dolls, je Joints, Uke our own, move on a ball and socket, aud whose throats give utterance to Various inarticulate sounds; miniature theatres, with movable figures and plentiful arrangements for stage eifects in colored lights; magto ee | dol! houses of all kinds, large dgures of horses ant cows and dogs, One toy of larger growth deserves special meniion, It is a musical box, provided with @ mechanical apparatus which seta in motion~a miniature hailet and at the same time propels a Blondin, with a man m @ wheelbarrow, acros3 a bg rope, At this store, too, a very fine collection of Boleinian glassware—cot! & new and ex: tremely beautiiul emerald—tint and lava faacy Goods are on exhibition, Altho!, Bergman & Co., a8 usnal, display a fine Assoriment of all varieties of toys and fancy govuds. Meisel, Lampe & Co. aiso make an extre: good show, emoracing wany novelties, Among the lat- ter & cow, that can be milked, will doubtiess nave a large sate. ‘There t3 0 litte receptacie, into whfch ® supply Of milk oun be @ poured, which is nen drawn of by the usual manipulation of the udder. Then there ig an assortment ic lanterns of Qu improved pattern, which not only show slides, but aiso throw upon the sheet magnificent copies of ordiwary photographs and pictures. At this store na; also found every variety of the cheaper kinds of toys, especially an endless collec. tion of Britannia metal toyware manufactured in this country, together with every species of fancy goods in Bohemian giass aud lava. Willigm Hacwood, in addition to a number of im. Poried toys, displays sey handsome assortment of paint tin toys, Which deserve all the more patronage from the fact that they are all of ameri- Can manufacture and ave very highly finished and durabie, Almost every Mend of American yehicie, trom the huge overland mail wagon with its six horsea down to the slender little bi , 13 here rep- resented in ininiature, and present. very pleasing and improved appearance When compared with the clumay toy chariota aud carriages imported trom Germany ani England. Mr, Harwood aiso sells a very lagenious miniature yelocipede, similar in de. sign to those now Leing sold at the street corners, but very much more durable and perfect. Mensts. ay 4 Brothers, In Broadway, bring out *his year an Interesting and rather instructive toy in thé shape ofa Ce steam engine. Although, of course, not very highly fnisned, it shows per fodtly the principle of the steam engine, and turns a wheel a’ the rate of a thousand revolutions a ninute, the wheej being 80 ppl that itcanm be applied to tura a number of mechanical toys. Several other 4 stores also deserve notice— fe among oibers Nir. He Patterburg, 841 Brogdway; Mr, of cigars or a neerscham pipe or cigar holder, A fine holiday assortment of this character may be seen at Messrs. Eckstein & Vogl’s, uuder the Pyes- cott House. RIRDS AND DOGS. Last upon our list of possible presents come tame animals, and, to children, perhaps few gifts are so welcome as a good dog or a canary bird, The best and most reliable deslers of this kind are Mr. F. Butler (dogs only), No. 3 Peck slip; Mr. B. Davey, No. 3 Greene strect, and Mr. Charles Reiche, 65 Chatham street, THE FASHIONS. WINTER AND HOLIDAY STYLES, ‘What to Wear and How to Wear It—Bustle Among the Modistes—New Yonr’s Reception Toilets— American Independence in Styles— A Revolution in the Reclms of the Fickle Deity. “Tne bravery of thelr tinkling ornaments about their feet, and tnetr cauls and their round tires, like the moon; the chains and the bracelets and the Muflers, the bonnets and the headbands and the tablets, and the earrings, and the noso jewels, the changeable sults of apparel, and the mantles and the Wwimples, and the crisping pins, une glasses and the fine linen, and the hoods and the veils.” Poor isalan | He also was perplexed in his first essay as @ fashion writer, and the fickle goddess seemed to have obtained as strong @ hold over the daughters of Zion as she has at present over Manhattan’s belles. Amid the glittering throng that follow in the frain of the jolly Santa Glaus Fashion occuptes a conspicnoua Place. She towers above dolis and jumping jacks, pushes aside rocking horses and sparkling Ddijouierte, frowns on candy boxes and quaint Dutch clocks ‘and looks down upon sleeve buttons and Wooden trumpets. Her claims on that important branch of the human family, the female sex divine, are more important and certainly more pressing Vhan the Alabama claims, and new thousands of fair worshippers throng to lier shrine. She has lately abandoned her imperial and European attire and comes out as the Goddess of Liberty, figuratively speaking. The superiority of 2 AMERICAN FASHIONS ig some important respocts is now acknowledged, not only athome, but in the very strongholds of fashion Iu Europe, ‘The proprietors of the London Magazine who, for moro than a year past, have published fashion plates furmshed by Madame Demorest, deserve much credit for thety superior discernment, and tt is a re- proach to American ladies that they have not re- alized and asserted their superiority in matters of dress long ere this, but bave left it to strangers to firat recognize and proclaim tt, With Paris in a state of slege it 18 folly to talk of Paris fasnions, and English fashions, being princi- pally exaggerations of Parisian styles, are equally oat of the question, We therefore hope that our adies will awaken to a sense of their responsibility in this particular, and that henceforth they wilt con+ sider it an honor, a8 it most certainly 1s, to wear American styles, In times past Paris invented fashions, London exaggerated and New York modt- fied. Now our prophecy is near fulfiment, New York has begun to set the fashions, London accepts without question aud Paris and the rest of Europe will soon follow. In matters of taste American Iadies have an un- qnestionable rigut to judge for themselves. Some egant seas NEW YEAR'S RECEPTION TOILETS are on exhibition at Madame Demorest’s, A tolict (simple, yet recherché) 13 a train robe of delicate mauve gros grain, the exceedingly long skirt cut in leaf-shaped indentations back of the front width, and fizished with a heavy cording. Underncash there 18 arranged a deep kilt-plaited founce of white Brussels net, just peeping beyond the points and insuring their graceful disposition when walking. ‘Phe ovorskirt 1s of crépe de chine of the same shade, trimmed with Valenciennes lace and has a circular apron looped very high on the sides, the drapery ex- tending actoss the front, and represents in the back very wide, long sashes tied carelessly at the waist and reachtag neariy to the bottom of the train. ‘The corsage is rouud, open to the waist In iront and trimmed with Valenciennes lace. Half long sleeves, tinished with a deep fall of the same lace. _ A regal tollet, intended to be worn by a stately, elegant matron at a New Year's reception in Wash- ingtoa, is of purple Lyons velvet, very’ long train, finished on the bottom with a neavy cording of satin of the same shade, This is gracefully relieved on the leftside under a pompon of purpic gatin, the drapery falling in artistic folds and? disclosing a pet- tcoat of white faille, trimmed with a deep flounce o; Chantilly lace. ‘The corsage is a basque, with a tul laited postiion, finished on the edge with a heavy satin cording, and completed with a deep walstcoat ‘of white faiila, lastenes with jet buttons, set in goid, in the centre of each of which sparkles a diamond, The sleeves, demt-large, flaished with satin cording and faced with white fail are slightly draped on the Inside under satin pompons. An exquisite point lace set and maguiilcent jewelry of diamonds and jet will be worn with this elegans robe. The hair is habitually arranged in finger putis on each side of the lovely. and still youthful face, with the back disposed Tt correspond, and with this touet, the same colffure, which ta caper becoming, will be pveserved, surmounted by a tiara matching the jewelry. An exquisitely beautiful tollet, designed and executed ior a lovely blonde, is in apple green gros grain of @ most delicate shade, clouded over with a white bloom. ‘She train skirtis garnished pear the boliom with tuile, disposed in — irregu- lar, yet singularly graceful festoons, confined by sprays of ink apple blossoms, with trailing branches of foliage connecting the sprays, and jorming careless bouillons, evidencing, in the disposition, the exquisite vaste and aeit tinge-s of the aritste who arranged it. The same style of trim- Ming is disposed en tadlier, nearly to the pointed corsage, Which is modestly dcollelé, in a square shape, ratier high in the shoulders and completed by a puting of tuile, iuterspersed with tiny blos; s0ms and jeavesa. The sleeves are simply pulls tulle over a silk foundation, strapped, as it were, ‘With sprays of blossoms. To complete this recherche dress scarfs of tulle, of @ generous width, are ar- ranged in Grecian folds across the bust, confined in front and on the shoulders by clusters of blos- soms, with trathng sprays, and allowed to fall over the back nearly the bottom of the train, being carelessly Knotted just below the waist, and ast ened with flowers. Jewelry of sced pearis and a coiffure of puifs and fluify curls should crown this lovely toilette, LADIES?’ DAY, A distingué visiting toilette 1s in violet gros grain, arranged with an entirely new style of acco‘amoda- tion train. Thistrain, which has a round apron and is looped very high on the hips, is cut in broad Scvliops on the edge and bordered with a graduated flounce, disposed in the shape of the scollops aud edged with narrow white lace falling trom under- neath black chantilly a little barrojver. The head- ing to the flounce rs ormoa of a bias band of the material, tled at intervals in careless Knots and fittached so that the intervening space may be slightly puffed. ‘This 1s surmounted by rows of black and white lace, standing a little wider than that on the bottom of the ounce, ‘The same style of garniture is arranged en tadlier in a seniicircle form on the egos and is re- peated, without the flounce, on the half-wide sleeves and around the heart-shzped neck of the postilion basque. The outer garment, to be worn with this haudsome dress, 18 &@ caxaque of black Lyons velvet, scarcely longer than a vest in tront, but very long and bouffant in the back, lined with white Florenco silk, and trimmeu with rich Chantilly lace, headed with an exquisite passementerie resembling em- broidery, and sligatly sprinkled wiih jet. The jaunty chapean to match is of violet velvet, ornamented With white lace and violet and white plumes, the quola of black being supptied by the delic: lace veil, Fars of snowy ermine appropriately complete the tout ensembie of this elegant costuae, Another elogant visiting toilet 1s of rich piam- colored Irish poptin, the deml-train skirt bordered with a deep band of velvet, over Which falls a grace- tul flounce of gros grain, with 2 heading formed of piaitings of velvet faced with gros grain. Although 2 Tuaterials are all of exactly same shade, the difference in the textures causes an epparent diforeuce in the shades, imparting the effect of wn costume camieu. The overskirt, trimmed to match exactly, hasa circular apron, draped vory high on the sides, and is very long and square in the back and open up the middle. The corsage is a coat. shaped postilion, with velvet revers, and 1s com- pleted by a square vestof gros grain. The lovely chapeau which accompanies the costume 3 of plum- colored velvet, made in the gypsy shape, re age er 0 roses, in foilage, Jrom which springs a jul white ostrich plume. A magnificent India isto be worn with this egsentially ladyiike than which nothing more appropriate and g could have been designed for the stylish meuted with folds of gros grain and a lea ‘wearer. One of our belles will receive on the second day in a tram robe of myrtle-green fallic, the skirt arnamented with a deep flounce of black Chantilly fatiiag over a puff of white Brussels net, disposed near the edge of the tram and gradually raised toward the front to the side seams of the apron, where it is finished midway to the walst im handsoine wiug-shaped ornaments. The heading is a feather trimming of mingled white. and grecn ostrich tps. A Chantilly lace shawl, gracefully looped with . ostrich tips, form the panier. The corsage, deeply pointed back and tront, has the neck jow and square in ivont, very high on the shoulders and pointed in the back, and outlined by a peering matching that on the skirt. Marie Antoinette sleeves, The coiffare will be airanged very high and adorned with white and green ostrich Ups, and a pink rose in front, A strikingly distingué toilette for a reception on ladies’ day 18 arranged with a demi-train robe e “Marie Louise” blue gros grain, the skirt orn: mented with alternate narrow flounces of crepe de chine and velvet of the same shade, disposed in the shape 01 @ square manteau de cour, and a trimming entadlier to correspond. The heart-shaped Co 4 1s made with a pointed velvet vest, and descends in deep coat skirts ia the back, trimmed with broa revers of velvet, Oneachside, at the hip, 1s fastener & broad scari of crape de ch'ne, which, after being loosely tied low Gown on tho skirt, reaches to the edge of the train. A deep sacque and a muff of genuine ermine, lined with qulited satin, and a love Of @ gypsy, @ charming mélange of blue velvet, crepe de ching, crushed pink roses aud white ostrich tips finish tals perfect touleite, CASHMERE COSTUMES. When hearing a cashmere costume spoken of we have heretofore supposed that it was a simple, in- expeusive dress, somewhat like those worn by our mothers, But in this w mistaken; for, in these days, Une vraie tolletie de cachemtre is a combina. tion of silk with cashmere, and involves much ex- ense, taste and artistic abilliy, Am clegant one, Intended for one of our belles, 18 arranged with a skirt. of nut-brown pouwltde sole ornamented with numerous pinked ruities reaching above the knee, ‘The casaque, of an exgnisite quality of oe aN is ofa oy, shade of green, harmonizing mos! rfectly with the brown, causing one to have sions of autumn woods, where we only can ex. pect to find such perfect combinations of color. Thig casaque is very long, and is ornamented with rich silk embroidery representing autumn leaves in all their lovely tints. It 1s finished’ ot the edge with a heavy twist fringe, and is relieved very high on the sides under broad sashes, reaching from the waist, and embroidered in a design to match the border, The effect of thig. artistic toilette can perdly be Imae gined from a description, and when it crowned with the charming gypsy bonnet of ni rown vel- fet, combined with green, and ornamented with its garland of autumn leaves, the tout ensemble Was fect. an contrast with the graceful, bewitching cle. gance of this costume, and not without its own peculiar chic, was o business suit, almost ‘as severely practical and fully as convenient as those worn b; gentiomen. It 18 in- tended for one of our York — ladies who is well known in business circles, not strong- minded withal, but one who dares to think and act for herself, It’ is made tn mulberry-colored ey the skirt just escaping the ground, and ornament! with black braid, in wwe widt disposed in an elaborate design. The ee: mewuat in the style of an Englitsh wi are! jacket, with square * ets on the hips, and is lined throughout with flannel of the same coler, ‘She frontis trmmed with revera, faced with black gros grain, and is 30 arranged that it can be wern unbuttoned when de- sired, disclosing @ yest underneath frimmed nt braid, or can be buttoned to the chin, leaving on! straight standing Collar, Far from appear! masculine, jt suit has a Se lady-like, practi air about it, which will insure its becoming a favor- ite stylé for fatigue costunter, A reokerchg reception touel was arranged with & Sonn creer apes pera ge meme neem train robe of mative gros grain, the skirt bordered oi haere ake eee oma tas Ww vio! el io a faliunique was of crépe de chine ee Waist ed with dentclio de Brnges and an entre-deux of the game lace piece over violet velvos This was raped In those pecuilarly’graceful folds of which tis souple material is so susceptible, and was sus tained on the left side by a scarf of ee, de chine, goraished with velvet and Jace, tied an appar: ently careless yet most artistic manner, Corsage basques of mative gros grain, with gilet Louls XV., oramented with dentelle de Bruges and violet velvet, the latter covered with an entre-deux matching the tenigne. Louis XV. sleeves, with @ deep fall of Jace, aha gubot to match. ‘ rovisitinety beautiful evening tollet ts in taretas vert (eau, garnished with green tulle and bunches of white, lacs, The skirt is not a full train, but quite long enough to be extremely graceful, au ornamented in a most unique manner, scarfs of tulle being placed at random, ag it were, in that peculiar manner known only to’ artistes, which can only be arranged, not described, and caught up with bunches of white lilacs, mounted on fiexiblg wires, which ha as gracefully as those on their native bushes, The corsage décolletd 19 pointed back and front, and a Jong scarf of tulle arranged as a plaited bertne on tho front, the ends depending from the shoulders and lightly caught ether, just below the waist, by a bunch of lilacs, Similar flowers are placed on each shoulder and on the front of the corsage. BONNETS. Mme. Natalie Tilman & Co. have prepared some lovely bounets and round hats for the holidays. A handsome little Pompadour was of Malines and pink blonde of opal hue, and was trimmed with Lows Quinze feathers and black velvet, Another of the same materials, bat with white blonde, was of the Mousse shape, jaunty and graceful, Flowers and ostrich feathers gave it a tone of elegance, and long streamers and blonde tied at intervals with elder- berries added considerably to its attractions. Ono Directatre hat had a Marie Stuart front, and was composed of turquolse velvet, encircled by a scarf of white blonde. Mule, Power exhibited to our admiring gaze one of the prettiest round hats that any lady would wish to possess. it was of blue Lyons velvet and had an ostrich feather, corresponding in color, co: | aronnd it, From a neat little algretle waved a gray eagle tuft. Beside 1t was a Nile green bonuct of tne cottage shape, @ bird of paradise poarinan over the froat and a@ butterfly perched at side, A stylish evening bonnet was of black Chantilly lace, made over bands of Capucin velvet—a fragile but grace- ful little structure. A skating hat was of black vel- vet, with grebe trimmings and grebe tuft. A cloth round hat was made of olfve green and was trimmed. with sealskin fur, flnished with @ paroquet’s wing at the side. A strange feature was hat called London smoke. It wag of gr cloth and was trimmed with sealekin, from wiicl drooped on the left a long gray plume, Mile. Power has brought with her from Europe a figute of the Empress Eugénie, which 18 a rare Gone of art, and life-like to a wonderful de- gree. WHITE MUSLIN AND LACE OVERDRESSES are now very much worn in evening and ball costumes, and are exceedingly rraceful and becom- ing. We saw some lovely specimens of them at Lord & Taylor's, One evening dress—$125 worth— had a satin underskirt forming a background to a point Duchesse overdress, An apron front was ac- companied by tabs en revers behind, and Mark Antony sleeves completed this handsome ares, Among the short sults were many trimmed with far or lace, and in materials black Alma has tuken the place of cashmere, A rich bal! dress was of Valenciennes lace, worked in medal- ons, over a blue satin underskirt trimmea with morning glories. Bretelles over the shoulders took the place of sieeves in the overdress. The lower pers of the dress was in keeping with the tunic. A Tilliant suit was of Nile green, with velvet under. skirt, trimmed with silk to correspond. A long and graceful postilion jacket, same as overskirt, and trimmed with velvet and lace, was a pretty addition to this suit, An evening dres3 of rose-colored siik ‘was trimmed with crépe of the same color, with point lace above It, forming overskiri, Crepe on the bottom of the dress formed a flounce and a court train swept behind. In the fur department we were shown a large va- riety of winter beter Asa striking instance of the perverseness of the fair sex when they set their minds upon anything, we found tiat the favorite for this season is the ALASKA SABLE, which is an elegant titie for the skin of the polecat, and which, however, docs not in the least remove the odor of which that animal seems to possess a monopoly, The ermine, Russian fox and black mon- key still, however, retain their popularity, but mink be 2 some exicut been handed over to elderiy SEALSKIN CLOAKS are vory much word now, and range in price from $5510 $260. A deep overskirt is shown vif to ad- vantage with a.velvet cloak. The Polonnaise ts a reigning favorite. French camel’s hair shawls look very handsome, and are comparatively cheap. At Arno.d & Constable’a a sult of black silk had an overskirt partly composed of black velvet, with deep iolds of velvet on the,sleeves, and was finished Wikh Alnske Sable A XLoMCiy attraativa With @ very deep skirt and postultay Sucker Ache) with guipure Ince, The handsomest of all was silver gray Irish popun, with a long overaress, The jacket had ®& black yelvet front, revers of the same adorned the side of the dress, and long velvet ends fell behind a sash at the back, In the ladies? furnishing Cepartmeat we were favored witn a look at an oxquisite light colored silk robe with a grace- eile tag of Vaienclenues lace, and puffed open i Miss OIney’s emporium, in Fourteenth street, was decked with some elegant hats. One, a black velvet marqtise, was ornamented with a scarf of scarlet velvet, tied with black silk and a ruche of thread lace for face trimming. A stylish ostrich feather waved over all, Another hat, called the Ber- saghelr, wad turned up on one side, and con- dined with large bow and jet ornaments. ‘The material was purple velvet and the imevitabvie ostrich pluie nodded satisfactorily over tie struc. ture, An evening hat was of white royal velvet, corded with white s 4 A BLUSHiNG MOSS ROSB nestied at the side, and a perfect cataract of plonde fell beniad. A gypsy frout had rose colored veivet lor face Wimming. The shape had the novel feature of having the frout aud cape one piece. In LADIES’ BOULERIB genuine novelties at Browne & Spant- neces and lockety have now the im- ograms upon them, and for the latter ve shape is inuch souglit after, styles e, but the cameos are the greatest 3. Sleeve buttons costiag $500 apair were on i A $250 Japanese fire screen, worked in silk in tho most grotesque and yet artistic manner, was purchased by a lady as a costly Chart: mas ent. Musical boxes aro the rage, and 10 used in every possible form—for footstovis, pinensi- ons, cigar cases, toilet articles and stands Jor statu. ary. glassware of the London house of W. S. Dobson: blisimeng the agency—found many lady purchasers yesterda Coral sets of bijouterle are holidays, A muddle aged lady at Mine, Tillman’s purchased a beautiful evening dress of black velvet, with point @Angieterre, forming a tunic, and looped up with flowers and very largo bows. The corsage was dd- col#é and square in shape. A coiffure of flowers and feathers, with sash of the laiter, completed tis stylish tollet, Another robe wus a demi-train, the two skirts being pointed, and the gros grain over. dress was looped up at the bacx with a bouguet of narelsso and fern flowers. In gloves ihe Harrison seamless glove, in the marquise style, retains its popniarity undi- minished, No other glove can be found to fli so neatly and be as durable. The European war, which has affected the glove trade to a great ex- tent, has encouraged the Harris Brothers to still greater exertions in pushing thelr seamless spe- claity inte the market. Madame Rawlings had on exhibition some beaut. ful bonnets for evening and carriage wear. Our ladies having abandoned the little bit of lace aud tulle and flowers wiich formerly composed the bon- net, give us more room and certainly more mate- rial Ww expatiare at large upon. The gypsy still continues in‘ favor, and with elegant feathers and scarfs of silk crape and lace forms a very distingué head gear. Many bonnets are worn with curtains of lace or of velvet, the face trimmings are very elaborate and ribbon 1s worn entirely for strings. Ai Terry’s we also were shown some handsome holiday bonnets, and learned the following regard- ing this important icature of female wea::—Bonnets for promenade and church are of the darkest, richest Coiors in the cestume, and the shades of the bonnet should approach very nearly, Prune blue, navy blue, scarabée, plum color, invisible green and cigar brown bonnets will be worn with costumes of the same color and also with black costumes, Prettiest among the shaded bonnets are those of the brown shades, the lightest pale golden brown for the velvet, felt or gros de Londres (repped silk), of Which the bonnet js made, a darker shade for the velvet torsades and facings, a string g each shade, while the ostrich tips represent three or Jour shades. Lilac and purple tints shade prettily if the rosy hues are kept away from those tinged with blue. Pale gray shades ihto deeper ones. Light blue shades do not blend effectively; but dark, deep biues are very rich, and with green shades admirably, as in pea- cocks’ plumes, At 4, T, Stewart's thero are, first, the laces— always “a joy forcyer,” and eg ail 80 at the holidays. An American prince who wishes to sur- prise the princess on Christmas moruing would do well to look at a flounce of point @’Alenson, which belonged to the trousseau of Marie Louise at her marriage with the frat Napoleon, lp pownes ornamented with the fleur de lis and the erial tree, is valued at $3,000, Exquisite fans of mother of Deari and satin, covered with pot Chan- tilly lace,. and parasola with lovely lace covers and coral mountings, vary in price to suit purchasers. Everything peaaufal “4 lage 13 seen here, from a Col of rea} English thread at forty cents to @ $1,200 handkerchiefs, coiffures, 40, For Uhere are infants’ wardrobes, all ior seventy-five dollars; fancy boxes with handkerchiefs, suited for one of the boys; all sorts of things in Ri leathor, cigar cases pnt everything in the way of consolation for forlorn bachelors. For family men with 4 sur- plus of funds there are the India Shawls trom $3,000 to $6,000, of 5 lent beauty to win the affec- tions of Meart of stone; velvet cloaks trimined with fur and lovely suits sulted to the season, The cloaks shown al pee are of the Polonaise order, forming complete overdresses, some of them very richly trimmed with lace, others simply cordea ‘We saw som Ne t the edge with silk. ‘The elegant suits seen hore from uly trimmed with plaitings of the materi though one ae toe: sult Was heavily trimm with velvet ribbon. For suits both the Polonaise and the overskirt and jacket are in favor, though ‘the former, with open front and full tournure at the baok. are very atviieh, A very clogant suit at t especially_ ‘ anibaneeaenaimnte net Te | establishment 1s a texcolored I bias velvet trimmings of iy Eppa deep Hounce at tio bottom and ove Little square slik ties for the nee are a noyel they are in all the colors in taffeta, at one doll: Home new sash ribbons, ealied Jardinicve, have it C0 . omnes clexant with satin backs, are shown, ab 32%p tere At Mme. Pinchon’s, on Tenth t, are exhibit beautiful flowers, laces and event r dre-sea. Some preity veils of dott talk, eer with Spanish lace, are # novelty, They are la square, to be worn with 101 rge faco, Rosettes, with uprizht ends, of arbor, to be worn at U 8 aide tan a non, colors, are pretty for deml-tollette, ‘Ty f evening and reception dresses 1s the peor on Oe lower trimmings, Bouquets in place of tig sash, o the shoulders at tue corsage, sprays fallfwg doy the akirt aud looping the rich draperies, are a 1 garden of git in tis tinier eset doserigtoe isthis winter a good description @ room full of fashionably” dressed Myon women, Ai Brevoort place, go! fl ie reciting No. 7 glogant evening and reception dresses for the holiday season. A corheenlored. ane trimmed with garnet veivet, bud? crépe and 81 frills, edged with Valenciennes. The effect of combination is superb. A greon edged with lace inserting, cubroldered: in et daliion. The tramed skirt is looped at back, making a lull tournure, with apron fronts low corsage is claborstoly trimmed with soft talk A dress fit for an empress 18 of mauve silk, with potnt lace flounce hal’ a yard tn Width, that 1 ried to te worst at the back, The flounce headed with elaborate ruchings of silk, and aot tulle plaitinss soften the /ompadour sleeves, Som clegnnk velvet Polonaises ere shown at this estabe At Madamo Ferrero’s some da! walling toframe prevy laces, one drab velve' wil drab and rose feathers, was especially ssylt3 and beauti{m, All those bonneis were furnished Wit two sets of strings to match the trimmings. THE ERG RAILROAD ARCANA, — - Strongly Contested Legal Effort to Get q Glimpse at the Books and Papers. of the Erie Railroad, 4 bonneta Our court cycles with unfalling regularity ‘cons tinue to bring forward 1n bold relief one and another of the interminable Erie Ratlway suits, with ai) che kaleidoscopic changes giving them such memorab) renown. Yesterday, vefore Judge Brady, of the preme Court, came up the case designated In th caiendar in the peculiar idiomatic of tho courts “The People, ex rol. Franklin H. Churchill, va, ‘The Erie Railway Company et al.” There was a larc@e attendance, a3 there always 1s at these legal tourna+ ments, but made up mainiy, of course, of lawyer THE PRELIMINARY PACTS. } ‘The plaintiff is a stockhelder in the Erle Railway Company. In October last he applied to the Presi. dent and Secretary of the road for permission to examine the books of the company, such application being made pursuant to statutory provisions allows Ing stockholders to examine the books of corporas Uons within thirty days prior to the election of directors. Permission to make this extminatog being refused, application, as will be reme moered; was made to Judge Barnard for an alternative mane damus, which was argued at length and deni The defendants demurred to these proceedings al insisted that the case should be placed on tl special term calendar and taken up when reach in ils reguiar turn. Tis latter course was accord ingly taken and the case was reached yesterday. ~ A CONTEST AGAINST LEGAL QUIBBLES, ' Mr. Charles H, Scuthmayd made the opening speech in opposition to the demurrer, He claimed, that the opposition to allowing examination of the books and papers of the company was wholly baced. gn the merest technical grounds, and {hat its sol purpose had been to stay a detision mn the case unt the desired exainination would be made, too late accomplish the purposes songht by the plainti tt referred to the good old times when sneh legai quibe bies were not the basis of legal argument and action and a desire for justice, sole and supreme, coniro)l both the bar ana the bet A FIRM STAND ON ELEMENTARY PRINCIPL! ir, David Dudley Ficid went into a disor: the elementary principles tnvolved in the case, a which he claimed had been utteriy overlooked by the other side, He ciaimea that the plaintiffs we net entitled to a mandamus, becatise they had ne applied to the proper author'ties for permission Tispete ous cuizpeny's banks: bec; They grvan were not stated upon which they Aye red to seo U books; that the return was @ complete and Valid aj swer to the writ; that Mr. Jay Gould was only one seventcen directors, and that the mandamus shoul be directed to the oficers having charge of tl books, and not to the eae art He eited nu merous cases in what he called the goad cid time: to which the previous counsel had referred, to aul sianluate his argument. THE GOLDEN LEGAL AG, 4 “Will you be good enough, Mr, Field,” the Judx smilingly asked him whiie in the midst of this p: of his arguinent, “to define the dividing Jine b tween the good oll times and the present evil dayp as touching lew decisions /? 1 ‘THAT'S A PRETTY HARD Pr matter,” answered Mr. Ficld, 9 bright, pleasii smite lighting up his Mand features. “Some woul das the good oid times when a Boy was hun cland for stealing two eggs. For himself thy present Were good enough wuie’, aud he iad faii yot in the administvation of justices : ERKING INFORMATION ¥ROM LONE-BARED SOURCES, 0 Mr. Gould re ng permission to examin Ks, said the Judge in aacther pari of thi munent, “Whe should the application have book Je 10 Jf not to hin 1? “To the governing body,” answered Mr. Fields. “fhe directors 2? “Cortaialy.? “Sut sappose there was to be no mecting of the ¥ divectors In thirty days, what then ?? “Tie statutes provide for the emergeticy.”? “the statutes 23 he interprets thetm.’’ interes rupted Mr. Southmayd, “would keep u F one man with his head’ vetind bis long other a@ infintsum, and the resuit 18 Ww never see the books 60 all.’? ] This allusion to the aural appendages of the Eri¢ Railroad manayers excttea a general Jang, i which Me, Field went on witu his argumont without further interruption, In ¢ the responsivility of tne the plaintiffs, and not tot CLOSING SPHBOM AND TAKING Mr, Southmayd fejoined ma lensthy a He urged that there was an afiirmative ovlig ral company to tion of stockhoi 7 licability to the present case of ma Engiish authorities cited by the opposing side, and, in conclusion, argued that 6n applying jor permis« ston io make the mination they were not bouud to state its object. h papers and reserved its deck snclusion he meisted thal clay belonged wholly t defendants, ‘The Court took the sion, THE RAILRGAD MANAGERS? CONVENTION. ERIE, Deo, 22, 1870, | The convention of raflroad managers adjourn sine die yesterday atternoon, after agreeing to estab: lish a new freight tariff, to go into effect on tie 26tty inst., the rates being considerably lower than the, average of winter rates hitherto, All the trunk lines, and the Northwestern and Southwestern roads, e1 tered into the arrangement, agreeing to abide rigidly by the tariff, and, in making treight charges, to dis crimimate m favor of no person whatever. Live stock rates from Quincy, li, to New York, and bulk grain iretghts from the West to Ne York and New England, will be slighily advanced, The ete the convention Were harmonious througiiout, and the result gives entive satisfaction to ail parties concerned. Tha Yailroads which aro parties to the new tariimschedule are as follows:—New York Central and Hudsoi River; New York and Mrie; Lake Suore and Michi Southera; Toledo and Wanash; Pennsylvania , tral; Mleomgg Fort Wayne and Chicago; Cleveland, Colimbuy, Cihemnnatl and Indiana 118; Mictiza Central; Pittaburg, Clucinnatt at f Louis; Atlal ie Great Western; Chica; Burlington and uincy. ADMIRALS FARNAGUT ARO. PORTER. Unirep Staves Navy Rh PonrsMourn, N. H., Degs,20, 1870. ‘TO THE Epitox OF THE HERALD:— \ I would/ask through the mediuni of your widely circulated journal to correct the statements made about Admirals Porter and Farragut in an article published in 9 Brookign paper. Lhappen to know enough to satisfy the reasonable mind that tne letter rojerrod t a8 being @ forgery is genuine, Shortly after Admiral Farragul’s arrival at this yard in eo Tallapoosa, while taking him out ve, he #poke tome ot hfe Sets that vessel hie ig denciiticd tin yery much, adding, “that it was very thonghtful f in Adm Porter Buggesat that the Tallapoosa should smouth,” Healso said thag he was offered the vessel to carry pin back to New York, Itis 9 well knowa historical fact that the forts below New Orleans were sarren to Porter, commanding a detachment of the admiral’s squad- Tou, and that he was acling unmediately under that . oflcer’s orders, and tat his course Was approved by Adxntral Farragut. 1 have more than once, Hoth 01 the Miss)sstp) 1h ies ab ay eak in very kin mown to ‘Admired ation with d since at the Peaboay ard Admiral Farragat terms of Porter. itis aiso well river of the Portor family. * his mild tone when di : t is unjust to his memory How that le has Py from our midst to represent him in a difver- obaracter, M. x, D. M, FAIRFA. Captain United Brates Navy.