The New York Herald Newspaper, December 22, 1871, Page 4

4 CHRISTMAS SHOPPING. How to Get About It and Where to Go. THE PHILOSOPHY OF GIVINS PRESENTS. Animated Appearance of the Strects—A Brisk Season for Trade—New Toys—The Markets—Christ- mas Good Cheer. OUR CHRISTMAS LIST OF TRADESMEN, Christmas comes but once a year, but what otner festival, in this wonderful land of divers and hetero- geneous populations, excites so wide and general an Interest? Tennyson nas sung for Englishmen in & Bingle line Norman and Saxon and Dane are we, but the American poet of the ripened future, when the whurligig of ume shail have weided us together Into une grand, homogencous people, will have to lake a whole and not very short stanza in recount Ang the various sources from which the great repub- jic has been recruited. Ouly a very small and in- considerable elyment of our population, however, can be truthfully supposed to have no interest in the merry season of OCnristmas tide. Even the Israelice finds his account in it as with joyful heart he computes his gains in added business and a swollen purse. Jobn Chinaman, our last acquisition, and the noble untutored savage Wuo, with questionable chivalry, scalps our explorers and {frontiersmen, may, indeed, experienc: no stirring of the pulse, no quicker movement of the biood, at the recurrence of ths blessed holiday. But they are perhaps the only exceptions to the general seatiment, Every man of European descent, every child of the Cross, wher- ever he may be, welcomes gladly the advent of this crowning featival of the year, The Puritans fora a few generations ventured to ignore its claims and expreasly forbade the observance of the ‘Popisb custom” of eating plum porridge on the 26th of ecember, but they have been compelled to yield to the better sense 01 the vast majority of the peoples of Uhristeadom., This year we are happy in the enjoyment of what has been in ali times considered seasonable Ubrist- mas weather. ‘The ground is covered with snow; the air is pure and bracing with the wholesome, though sometimes over-keen, cold of winter; nd the cheertul ring of the sleigh bells and the laughter of pleasure-making lads and lasses will combine in musical harmony with the rejoicing | chimes of the churches, We shall tnus probably have a Christmas ol exceptional merriment and Bladness. Let us all resolve, and ‘keep our purpose With an equal mind,” to make it the brightest and gayest season of yule we have ever known ! For the past two weeks the preparations for the coming festival uave been earnest and thorough. ‘The great avenues of trade have been thronged with purchasers, and all ciasses have vied with each Dther in the good work of providing for the impend- Ing feast. “What have you been doing to-day, Fred?’ asked the writer of a irieud yesterday. «Just the hardest day’s work I have done in the Whole year. Ihave veen ever since noon buying may Christmas presents. I Dave only laid out about B hundrea dollars, but Curistmas gifts make a good show for a very little money. I'd like you to just take a look round my rooms. There ate heaps of ptuil on every ta) le and in every corner; the mantel- piece ts loaded up with pretty holiday books; I Bearcely know which way to turn.” “Why don’t you send them direct to your friends®” “Well, in the first place, that is a violation Df one essential princtple of Christmas—inat gifts whould be made eitner on the eve of the day pr on the day itself. And tnen, nesides Unat, there 1s snotner very sufficient —— for xeeptmg tne things by me. You seo potting ola (Mr. Fred is bachelor of twenty- and being now past the season when I can ¢ austuipe very—vividly and keenly myself, my /7!0 ree of enjoyment figg in gloating over tht pleesure 1am going to make Tet others. And on coming home alter business I just uke to look round and over a philosophical pipe contemplate in silent reverie the immense sum of enjoyment that tu con- fused heaps surrounds me on every hand. A litle fifty cent box of vonbons for my four-year-old niece, Mary, or a dollar steam engine for her brother Fred 1s meatal food euough to last through that great Yarkish pipe of mine, ioaded up to the brim. For { am still as much a selfish sybarite as when we were in Paris togetner five years ago, though ina little more harmless and reputable way. And the best of it is that I fina it even more delig htfui.”” And Fred is bui a specimen of a very numerous species of the American homo. There 1s one thing that Americans enjoy even more than making mouey—and that is spending it, Pure generosity Q8 distinct from liberal almagiving 1s not dignified, a8 among the Moslem, with the glory of a religious Guty; but it ts a cardina: principle of that unwritten | Jaw to which we all subscribe more heartily than to the precepts of the pulpit. Professional phrenolo- wists have ali found chi: out, and in making out their characters tuey invariably tell their client, among much sensible advice, and a few shrewd guesses as to his favorite virtues aud vices, “you can make money much more easily than you can keep it.” ‘This is always a trump card; the being sitting for | his moral, intellectual and spiritual portrait im- stanuy cries out, ““Tnat’s so," and is on the whole convinced that though practical phrenology may not yet be a perfect and complete science li must be at least founded on many truthful and carefully studied-out facts and observations, . But perbaps the same thing ts true, ina more or less marked degree, of all mankind. “It ts more blessed to give than to receive,” said that Saviour Whose birth we are in a (ew days goiug tocom- memorate, In many other lands, however, the hardness of gaining @ livelihood has hardened mnen’s hearts and narrowed then into a ead but not unnatural selfishness, But here, tn tuis broad and beautiful jand, even the poorest can, with industry fna health, secure something above the vare cost of food and shelter, while to some the surpius tncome that may be expended in the refinements and com- forts Of civilized \ife is simply enormous. We must hot, therefore, take to ourselves over much credit tor giving way under these favoring conditions to the universal tmpuise to open one’s Land aud taste the sweets of un-elfishness, To Lim who wishes to thoroughly enjoy Christmas there i no employment more delightful than a stroll at this season turough our great thoroughtares of commerce. Tue stores seem lit uy by the time into an exceptional gayety and brigotness. Fulier than thelr wont with all that can charm Ube eye or tempt the sense—many of them, indeed, strewing the sidewalk with their Wares—crowded with purchasers and noisy with the pleasant murm ure Of buying and seliing—they are, indeed, tn the bappiness and i Bg 4 spirit of which they are the proof, # sight for all Who have been distempered by the rough usage of & pitiiess world. Even a defeated politician might }00k upon the sbow and take heart again, and oe- lieve we gooduess aod humanity of the great mass of his fell citizens. Apart, however, irom all sentimental associations, and regarded Bimply a8 & ~pectacie, such a street as Broad way at Christmas 1s wort careiul study. The gaudy colors of the holiday gtits, the moving crowds of weers and customers; the stir and bustie and fusion and noise and busy Ie that animate the re make up @ scene of singularly pieasing ntness, How Mr. ani Mra. Bomn would 06 delightea if they could but joy & Sauuter through these realms of tairylacc! We can imagine "he Golden Dustmas wanuering 1b wrapt adimiration jugh the splendia real of Tifany, or tospect- ing tbe hamb! wares of the fancy good houses, or watching wita sparkling ¢yvs the hea, of bonbons and candies at one of the great confec- toners, But iu tus respect every man of taste and leisure more or less resembies the BomMos. ’erhaps the book stores and art shops are the ones that claim most of bis time end attention, but he canuor resist the temptation to also join the gaping crowd that always hauus around the Winaow ih which the last new mechan- Jeal doll, having veen duly wound SP. aad started, Bambois over the couater wie porte ty sublime Innocence ot stage irignt, In fact, the ability to pro) ‘eujoy the suops that Ue in OUue's path are &s good a textof ine moral soundoess OFA man As ‘the ability to maduige tn « good uearty peal of laugh. fer, It is soarculy likciy that the man who i# not NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER. 22, 1871.—TRIPLE SHEET. of the innocent weakness of squandering an beg eotel the Christmas «is; in the atorea will add much know evening dui the forinight vetore Christmas for being late to dinner, and are even unjustly accused of biluards and early revoiry, when their ouly real offence has been to linger over-ioug oa the , looking at the preity things in the shops and wish- ing that they were rich to make tea cines 48 many gifts as they ha: purchased, and thus delight the eyes ana move hearis of every kinsman and friend. Some one satd a long time ago that but for Christ- mas and its kindly ries, which gladden or hearts and give us iair excuse for cuding old feuds and taking & uew lease of life, we should gr w old vers much more quickly than we do, Christmas gilts, indeed, whether given or taken, do more than pre- vent our growing old; they actually add io our youth by mating us, for tae time. feel young and hopetut. ‘Trae, the season may rejavenescence but transient, but {tis none the iess @ priceless boon. As We look upon the bright Little face of some happy child, which has lit up into beam- ing delight as we have produced trom our ;,ocket some pretty toy or glittering winket, we go back aimost involuntarily to our own dawa of jie, whea existence was for us. too, a careless but joyous hol~ day, Whose brightness was checkered only with | summer clouds and whose thnocenve was unstained | by @ single ie of remorse. Hands that have Jong been still and helpless then ministered to our pleasure, a8 ours are doing now; loving eves, for- ever glazed in death, reflected our deluht; kindly voices, now hushea and silent, though their echo even yet haunts our day dreams, gently bade us pe happy and good. It 1s po light thing that gevera- tin should thus be knit to generanion by tiese genial triftes, A few cenvs’ worth o1 painted wood, @ hideously discordant chiiu’s trumpet, @ nanaral of candies, may be im the eye of a cynic ar a politi- cal economist—nearly ail cynics, by the way, are politioal economisis, though there are, here here, a few political economists wid are not cynics—but so much wasted weulth—a foolish tribule to an absurd and utterly ridicutous custom, But men with hearts that stu! tril! with adecuonate Memories of a happy past Know better, ‘There is no more pinenens Sight, perhaps, even at thts joyous season of the year, than Lo watch a good zed company of children belug taken about.to toy stores and candy shops just to feast their eyes over the treasures they contain. Anuther long term of school bas closed, and next to a maun-e periorm- ance Ol @ pantomime, or a spectacular drama or (he circus, this cruise amid the spienuors of Coristmas commerce ts the most popular and coveted yratia- Cation of the new hoidays. It is of course expressly stipulated and agreed by each and all contracting Parties taat mamme shall not ve directly impor- tuned to buy anything—no matter how cheap—that to charm the eyes of her children, This is to be @ mere spectacular excursion, and the love that any object may excite is to be of a purely | Platonic character and must never be allowed to | degenerate into the love of Sete abe 1418 further stipul and agreed that the boys and giris are to be good and must kee ether and take care not to be lost in the crowd, and must not be in a hurr’ to cross a street, and must not run, lest vney shoul altp on —— pavement, aud must not ory when they get and s0 on to the end of a long one ter, which contains some score or more of similarly grave and weighty clauses, A very slight exertion of memory wiil enabie most men to remember such contracts into which they once hopelully and joy- fully entefed, and which they shamelessly broke and disregarded, paying, perhaps, in one ever-mem- rable instance, for the offence with the awiul and terrible penaity of vemg carned to the stauion house by a kindly policeman as a strayed child and having to stay there hours and hours, 1m the course | Of which the said offender got very hungry, and was fed by the bounty of the sergeant, unui at nightfall ba came in a great slate of excitement to fetch im home. But sach adventurous journeys rarely end 80 disastrousiy, thougn they ‘are invartably marked with many a sudden fright and narrow | @scape. Perhaps the little army of sightseers go down town in the morning with papa, who waits halfan hour behind his usual time on purpose to (gin ed them, and even then bas great difficulty in getting them wo move. Then, beginning in tue reat wholesale toy stores, they march slowly up roadway, An! what wonders open upon the view as they turn out of the solemo-looking downtown street up a dark staircase and emerge upon a huge floor, lighted by an immense skylight and well crowded with all sorts of novel and glittering inventions for the nursery. The ee, is fairly bewil- dered by the amazing wealth of treasures with whioh it 1s greeted on every side. Dolls by the tnou- sand, male and temaie, blonde and brunette (though mostly bloude, because it is almost impossible to have black hair that will lay down smooth, wile | Maxen hair, vent, equally rough, does not look very bad when displayed as @ “‘towuead"), and all modes of fashion and every known uniform, from Norman peasant to a lady of the “high world’—from a landwebr soldier with a spiked heimet to a harlequin or a policeman; games by the hundred, and most of them of new and un- eard-of splendor and muity; toy tooiches joah’s Arks, houses and furniture, theatres, cal boxes and tiny dolls’ dresses and boots and hats by uncounted mullions, “Mamma in an under- tone explains to the courteous salesman that she wishes to take her children around to s2e the store and will to-morrow call in and make her pur- chases. Slowly and with lingering footsteps the children Walk amid the treasures that line their pggrh. Ther ara ag nnmittine. tm me 0m. 8 easnen, RUT Ae WRT way an ames ous tnventions Uiat A 2oBee them inake'up @ world of beauty-and deligat auch , &S Mey have never seen except in dreams and at the theatre. But the older heads among them a E z ‘shrewdly suspect that a long pause before some specially coveted object may result in their dindiug it in their stocking on Christmas morning. This they have been taught by previous experience, and their faces lighted with gleams of an innocent covetousness they muke a dead halt before the things that capt vate their faucy most, and are only torn away by repealed admonitions to move ou, They notice, however, that the eyes beiore which tney are ‘posing’ have fully understood what they desire Most, and on again reaching the street enforce their Wishes by dweliiug with the extravagance of youth- fui raectoric upon the special loveliness anda de- sirableness of the things for whica they hanker. It is hardly necessary to ada, however, that belore | they have goue vecy far, the list of objects thus | tucitly agreed upon a8 coming benefits trom the | bounteous hauds of Santa Claus has mounted up to utterly preposterous diuensions; aud when at last the signtscers reach home the rest of the day is ex- | pended tn compart audibly the merits of the | Va.tous ariicies, and coutrasting their relative value and decideding Which can be best dispe: with. Next to the toy stores the jeweiry and fancy stores are the busiest centres of interest. By common con- Sent und in order w avoid making™loo heavy de- | Manis upon the purse Christmas gifta are generally selected (rom among Lhat tong list of elegant trifies | which, although very preuty, cost but little, The great dificulty, however, is to select something that shail stand @ fair chance of not being @ duplicate of somevody eise’s contribution. Ii is positively amum ing to watch some young gentleman absorbed in aluiul deuberaiion over the stock of some great wore, He Is pestered every moment by the atten- Uons and suggestions of the young salesiady, who, with @ lively nope of commissions, has fas- ned upon nim from the moment he has entered | the -etore, and runs over, in that moaotonously pleasant voice so familar to customers, the contents 01 tue showcases. Hach articie named but adds to his mental perplexity. Has Araminta a silver tnim- bier is sue destitute in the way of pen wipers? | How would sue like a pretiy littie card basket? And | Is she fond enough of Goethe to admire and appre- chate Unis handsome little alabaster statuette of the greatGerman poet’ These are but a tractional per centage of tae tnousand aad one proviems that fash turougn his mind, and the entreaties of the sales- woinan fairly bewtlder him, uotil at last he “goes it bund” and resolves that the very next thing sug- gested, no matter what it may be shail be the one selecied. He 18 in this a Wise man, though he would have been wiser still had he quietly taken his ob. servations and made his decision @ month betore tue iast moment had arrived, Some fair idea ol the fertility of human invention may, however, be gleaned from the endiess diversity of the objects that make up the omnium gatherur of one of these enormous fancy repositories. | Let us not forget er those appetizing marts | which cater to the palate, and which, tn a more direct sense than any other articies, appeal to the senses, Iti, iadeed, @ treat to aman with a fair digestion to allot an afternoon to a careful study of Cnristinas cheer. Itis the next vest toing to the Christmas dinner itsel(—perhaps, actually oetter, if the phuosophic theory Of the pleasures of anucipa- tion belng greater than the pleasures of enjoyment | itself is based on a truth, Une advantage, too, about purchases 1a this Girecuon is, tual there need ve nO secret about them. Up! the loys and the books and the other pretty trifies and jeweiry, they needa not be smuggled into the house, aud then securely | concealed from popular view. On tue con- trary, {com the moment that they reach the bands of their final possessers, they | ere an unfailing spring of elignt aud | fp emeongectine excitement, Gne of the many momen. ous questions that have to be settied a Week or so Delore (ue feast 1s its principal seature. Suall it be | turkey or beef or chickens or a judicious combina- | Mou of joints and pouliry? But whether turkey or beei—these are the favorite dishes—the buying of 1 and the tooking at It after it is vought are, among plain, middie ciass American families, matters of Wwe very gravest and most serious Importance. If beef, how brignt ana red is tue iean | aud now dell- | cilonsiy yellow and firm the fat! and t turkey, | was there eve ch a periectly wonderful specimen | of @ weill-bred and well-led dindon/ But then | there are besides the scores of other things to be | provided forthe dinner, Among ali families that suli cherisu Kogiish traditions, as 80 wany Ameri- can tamties do, @ plum pudding is sure to ve ven @ place on the prospective bill of | fare, And as every one knows, who knows any- tn 4 all about it, the making of # perfect Christe mas pium pudding is 4 task of Hercules. factured according to the orthodox receipts it Should coniain some score or 60 of Various compo- nent eiements, and tne due weighing and mixlug Ol these involves tremendous thought and iabor. The whole work, too, should be completed at least twenty-four hours before the dinner, aud it snouid be saiely deposited, in the caidron and botied tor bau adozen hours or 80 On Oluistmas Eve, and then allowed to cool and be again boiled on Christ. mas day tise for avout an equal length of tiue. ‘Then there are besides the fruit and nuts ior des- gert, aud ihe Wine and tiquors, and the candies tor the (hristMas tree, and imnunerable otuer things | to ve lvoked after aud remembered. Verily, this business Of Ubristnas shopping ts an endiess though pleasaut and deligutial task, We shal now, im purstauce of our usual custom, Give a ut of @ few Of We principal sires where ve short and tne | articles appropriate to the season purchased. first oi ali we shali Store of Messrs, Tiffany & Uo, of uare, Wists eas i i pel a ry oh Of its kind in the worl,’ cle, it well worth a visit. Thousands ‘and. ‘thousands of dollars’ worth of rich aud rare and costly and eie- gant things dazzle the eye, and even against the wil excite the desire of possession, It 18 worth notice, too, Wat the contents o! this beautiful store are mostly American manufacture, Especiatly 1s this the case with silverware aud the fiver and inost costly stock of jewviry, and in these lines foreigu competition 18 got only no longer dreated, but or are even received from abroad for their gonsnmption, Amert- : can industrial genus was never more successtul than in some of the “finishes” pat upon the stlver—otably the satin anit rl onish—and @ giauce at the riginality and g taste of some of the designs confirms one's hopes tn. the future of American art, Some of the showcases devoted to gems ensurine almost fabulous wealth, some single brilliants running as bizh as $10,000, Io imported goods—writing uegks, bronzes, vases and all tnat Class of articles—the stock euormous and the prices reasonable, This 18 one Of the most completely and Juily furnished stores in New York, and for ali goous to be found in it one of the most available markets, Mr. Allen's, of 841 Broadway—though the stock ts mostly confined to watches and ihe fiver class of jeweiry—is another store eutitied to confidence aud | patronage. | FANCY GoODS, , _ Fancy goods, as we showed in the Christmas article in yesterday's HBRALD, may be advan- tageously purchased at most of the great di ,0ous houses, such as Macy's, Kinzey's, Altman’s, Ridivy’s and the Union Adains Coupany. There are a iew stores, however, speciaily devoted to this class of | [ Amoug these ihe french Arcade, 843 roadway, contains a vil ‘ly beaurifal vo! @ pecuilar variety of Freuch, Germaa and ish rods. Br may be ivund an immense assoriment % vane ber pi comprising jogs variety of fancy design. Tne disque figures, too, are very fine. and by no means costly, — are also ane fine spectmens of majolica ware and broazes and tuncy Freuch clocks and marole statuettes. Tne nal dollar stove, under te Grand jotel, 18 another mart, of a somewhat different Kind, wuich well merits.a visit. it is filled with every variety of elegant trifies, aud the throng Ol visitors with which 1618 crowded irom moruing Ull late prociaims the popalarity of the store and ihe moderate nature of its prices, At Kelty & Uo.’s, No, 661 Broadway, there are some novel and pretly Special goods, in adaition to the usual stock of iur- niture and curtains, Among the rest there are several lines which are especially wel) adapted as premnie vo arusts, There ts @ splendid stock of ‘and movable frames for porulolios of sketches and prints. In writing desks, secretaries, bovk- paige easy chairs the assur! t is tasteful und vi le TOYS. The toy stores, however, are this year especially fine, and reports on ail hands represent the traue as having been exceptionally brisk and good. Meisel, Lampe & Co., in Chambers strect, Nave, a8 usual, an immense stock of new and ingenious toys, @s Well as a fine stock of Bobemiun giassware and similariines. Their counter of Jolis 18 alone worth a visit to the store, The sizes vary trom almost life size to tiny litte things, that are only fitted for & cradie in & voll’s house. The dresses this year, too, display exceptionally good taste; they are as per- fecuiy designed as though they had passed through the Rands of the celebratou Worth himself. There 18 & pretty stock of dolis’ boots and necessaries, which seem as carefully made and designed as though intended for tneuse of adults, In games the stock ts very large, and many oi them are new. ‘The parior croquet and williard sem are & specialty. Some of the prices of Christmas tree ornaments are siartling by their cheap- ness, Fancy forty cents for one hundred and forty-four really pret: trifes, Another uovelly are Christinas trees sapended, from the back of a snow- covered figure of Santa Claus and lighted by gas. Of course a rubber connection with a jet is neces- sary, but the effect is very good. In all other lines oh sors this house presents @ large and well-assorted stock. Surasburger & Pfelffer have one of the largest toy and faocy stores in the city, Their assortment of musical boxes is very varied, and tue prices seem cheaper than we have been accastomed to, In the little trifles that are used in the fitting up of dolls’ houses, too, the display 1s periectly bewiider- ing. Dolis, games, toy guns, magic lanterns, and indeed everything else that has as yet been dreamed of in the way of loys, may also be advantageo' bought here. One novelty is a coach in which are seated some German soldiers, one of whom bears a suspicious HMkeness to old Kaiser Wilheim, which, by moving, causes the figures to play like a band, The efect 18 very good. William Harwood, of 98 Chamoers street, makes, a3 usual, a good display of new tin toys.’ Severa improvements in finish and darability upon thuse Put ont last year may be observed, among others a jew method of the imitation gilding of the main res. Mall carts, horse , locomotives and assenger coaches—ail tn tin—are very natural, and re of the strongest possible make. This store should be encouraged by the patriotic, too, Bellg chiefy—iudeed almost entirely—American made goods, and they are undoubtedly the best of the kind lu the market, as is proved by the Bost of ifbitations of them. Mr. Harwvod says he wil bring out a number of novelties during the coming year, but they must be kept secret for the present, to ayold piracy. Among retail toy stores Mr. Staveley’s, of No. 870 pve” pr the LWOrwn 9 visit ‘Fhe sors saisees LT COE 180 ‘present sume very attractive mechanical toys, ag Woll as @ deserving geueral stock. iis window 1a daily surrounded by a throng of sightsecrs, who seem especially delighted at some new sicam loco- pied whic draw a train of cars over tire shop Among Natters, Knox, next to the HERALD build- ing, may be mentioned as one of the best and most fashionable makers. We also commend to the pat ronage of our readers Mr. Espenscheid, of No. 118 Nassau street; Mr. David, No, 299 Broadway; Mr. Burke and Mr. Warnock, One of the most necessary of articles also to be looked out for at this ime is candies. These may be procured of pure quality and in every variety from Mr. Eberts, of No. 64 Bast Twelfth street. In carriages and sleighs Messrs. Johnston & Van Tasseli display a yery Varied assortment of goods, and deserve patronage. . Perhaps, however, some of our readers may desire in their. preseats to select some useiul articie of furnivore. amaeie ie best dealers we may name Mr. Cowperthwalte, 155 Chatham street; Messrs, _ & Cunningham, 884and 386 Third avenue; Clat | 747 Broadway; D. Kelly, 512 Eighth ave- nue, and Heymaus & Mack, 276 Houston street. Last, but not least, we may give a list of some of the best plano makers. No present could be more acceptable toa young laay or to a young couple just beginning housekeeping. Messrs, Steinways, lesers, Chickering, Messrs. Weber and Messrs Har rig Brothers and Horace Waters all offer good in- uments at established prices. As @ proof of the wing appreciation of the Steinway plauo it may mentioned that one was lately ordered by tne Emperor of Russia. Messrs. Decker & Barnes are also making instruments of excellent tone and great durability. They have recently periected a new pin block arrangement, which greatly adds to the strength of the piano, and which threatens to revolutuonize the old process of manufacture. for it PUBLIC SCHOOL RECEPTIONS IN HARLEM. Atime-honored and certainly most pertinent and Dieasing preliminary to closing the public schools for the holidays are the receptions now agreeaply in vogue. Conducted with the discriminating taste that characterizes most of them, these receptions constitute a decidedly gratifying feature—an oasis, giving vitalizing respite to the siereotype routine of dally duties, Rarely has @ more enjoyable reception taken place at any of our public schools than that given yesterday at Gram- mar School No, 39, This school 1s located on 125th street, between Second and Third avenues, and ex- cepting the primary department 1s dev¥oted ex- clustvely to the instruction of girls, of whom the average atteudance Is about six hundred, The re- ception attracted an unusual number of the parents and friendsof the pupils and others interesied tu our public schoo! system. Recitations, singing, reading, compositions and calistienic exercises made up principally the varied programme. ‘rhe re- citations were admirably selected aud rendered with animation, A tiny girl recicea “1 Want a Piece of Cake,!’ with an Appreciative energy eliciting uni- versal tokens 01 surprise and admiration. “Miss Maione’s Ideas of the Heathen Uninee,” as recited by Fannie Brush, could hardly be surpassed. The Singing Was specially fine, comprising solos, duets and choruses, rtion them including original music by Mr. Daly, the music teacher, and who cer- tainly caunot be praised too higmy'for the patus- taking In hisdepartment, Addie Birdsall and Laura Pay played a duet exquisitely on the piano. and attie Holmes ® solo with marked feeling d= expression. original poem, “snow mea by Miss We Cone, evinced won- derful aptitude of versification, a wealth of imagery and a depth of oetic feeling unusual iu one 80 young. The calisthenics far ex- ceeded any we have ever seen. To the more meri- torions in the several Classes were distributed semi- anpual certificates, the presentation being made bj Mr. L, N. Fuiler, who presided at the reception, and, by the way, at its close, made one of te best ad- dresses to the young ladies we ever listened to, The addresses made by Rev. Dr. Kidgeway and Revs, Mr. Lucas, Wirgin and McOolloch aiso deserve spe- Clal evcomium Jor their brevily. Allogetier the exercises were Of a deeply iiterceting character, and reflect (ne highest credit on Miss Marina A, Washburne, Principal, as weil a8 the eficieut corps Of auxiliary teachers under her. The Priniary Department of Grammar School No. 67. situatea 115th street, between Third and Fourth avenues, gave @ reception last evening, ‘The room Was densely crowded hy the parents and frienas ol the litte ones, After an appropriate opening address by Mr. McGtunis, one of the trus- lees, Was given @ lengthy buc moat choice and inter- esting programme of exercises, Christmas carols, recitations and disiogues, with tableaus, Cuarades, and calistheaic exercises made up tue greater share of the entertainment. All acquitied themseives finely, reflecting great credit on Mra. Elizabeth ce, the Ropaler fad efficient Principal. Among the ad- iresses delivercd was one by Colouci Webster—a truly Websterian effort, though in happy kee ing With the oocaston. Mr. Hosea B. Perkins, one of U foremost of our public spirited citizens in his interest in public s, Was announced as one of the speakers, but he Was unavoidably kept away \hrough tiiness, HOLIDAY LITERATURE. Songs, Stories and Sketches for People of All Ages. Intellectual Studies for Adults and Gems for Juveniles. Books are popular and appropriate presents for the holida ya. There are innumerable other articles eliner useful or ornamental, or both combined, that are suitable for gifts, acccrding to the tasies or inaividuais, but books are never out ol plate as presents In @ country where there 1s 80 much ene- ral intelligence as there 18 in the United States, The struction, when the iancy 18 pleased, the intellect eviightened aud the morai sentiment of the heart awakened, the highest office of literature is attained, ‘The author assumes a responsibie and an important mission to mankind, and while many Ol the publtca- tions of the day fall far below tae standara which lovers of literature wouid delight to see imprcased on each printed page, there are every year issued | marvels of the ocean, the system of circulation of Water in rivers and the atmosphere, the mechanl- cal and chemical action of water on continents, the physical and chemical properties of water, and the uses to which it may be aj.pliea, The appendix Contains analyses of various mineral waters in the United States. The vook ts highly interesting and | the text 1s interspersed with several illustrations. A more thoroughly scientife and much more elaborate work, however, issued by the same publisners, 18 & large octavo volume of 760 pages, entitled “IN- SECTS at Home,” by the Rev, J. G. Wood, author of several works on kindréd topica, It is at once & scientific and popular account of tne structure, habits and transformations of insects, and 1s the Fesuit of the author’s life-long, persevering - and patient study of entomology. Tne book 15 em- | vellished by & brilliantly wiaminated frontispiece, & score of splendid full page plates and a proiuston of leas elaporate but not less Mnely fuished woodcuts, showing upward of seven hundreil figures of insects. At is an exhaustive treatise on the subject. and is | among the most valuable of all the publications we province of literature 1s to amuse or to instruct the | nud, and when umusement 1s blended with in- | have seen issue. from the press on the eve of the approaching holidays. Lovers of grace, harmony and elegance will be woll repaid by the perusal of Projessor Bascom’s lectures on ‘‘AaStHETICS; OB, Tae SCIENCE OF BEAUTY.” In the present | editon of his lectures, which are. now Cor | rected and enlarged as the fruits of fur- ther thought and new opportunities for ob- servation, Professor Bascom defines and illustrates the nature and principies of Taste and Beauty in from tue press books which may be truly said to be inspired. At this season of the year especially, in view of the near approach of the Christmas and New Year holidays, authors and publishers are busily engaged in bringing out new books and new editions to at- tract the attention und sult the sentiments of pur- chasers, There are certaia standard works of fact and fiction which are always in demand among a rapidly increasing population, and these the pub- lishers present in various styles to accommodate the purses oi richer or poorer people. New books, works of merit, are eagerly sougnt after by Auericans, who aro so fond of what 18 novel, and who buy more books than the mhabitants of any other country in Christendom, The catalogues of prominent publishers contain the titles of new and old productions on all sorts of subjects, from which purchasers must make selections, Many of these we have noticed from time to time, as the firat or subsequent editions have been issued; and at the present moment we must confiuc ourselves to & passing reference to tle more recent publications that have reached us. Poetry affords a iruittul field for artistic tlustra- tion, and some of the songs and tho stories told in verse, original and selected, which we have re- ceived, are interspersed with Ulustrations which are beautiful specimens of art, Forty-two of this class of wood engravings, each one of them signal trie umphs of artistic skill, embellish ‘Tox Story oF Tue Fountaw,” by William Cullen Bryant, pub- This beautiful lutte lished by tne Appletons, book embodies itu @ most remarkable degree the harmonious combination of poetry and art. ‘The sweetest emotions of humanity are atonce awakened by the title of the volume of selections just reissued by ‘Scribner & Co., under the sympathetic name of “SONGS OF THE HEART,” “Sonas OF Lirg” and “Soncs or Home” have already preceded the present volume in this new, improvea and pleasing style, and ‘SONGS OF Na- TURE,” soon to follow, will complete the series. The poems were first pubiushed in one volume, called “Folk Songs,” but the four volumes into which they have now been divided, with separate and appropriate titles, will, when completed, com- prise not only the original book, but also numerous new poems and illustrations, Love will hear its tender sentiment distinctly echoed im thesd’ responsive songs; Joy will hear notes of gladuoss; Sorrow will receive consolation and hope from the voices of angels and the words of Jesus; aspiring souls will flad sympathy and in- centive; and all who will may hear the charms of domestic life, the wonders of the universe, the goodness of God and the glories of immortality sang and celebrated. ‘“BaLLavs Of IRIsH CHIVaLRy,” by Robert Dwyer Joyce, published by Patrick Dona- hoe, in Boston, contains a voluminous collection of ballads, songs and poems that will appeal to the humorous, affectionate and martial elements, which are prominent characteristics of a race that has so many native representatives and descendanws in Aterica. “OUR POETICAL Favorites” is the attractive title given to the selection made by Professor ‘Asauel ©. Kendrick, of the Rochester University, from the best minor poems in the English language. This 1s tne second edi- Uon; it is published by Sneldon & Co., and contains the choicest gems of revered and nonored deceased and surviving authors, including several familiar selections, which can only ve credited as “anony- mous.’ The collection covers an extensive range of poetry, secular and sacred. The volume is of convenient size, and is furnished with a copious index. “THe PORTS OF THE NINSTESNTH C=N- TUKY” is the well-known ttle of a work which has had an extensive circulation m Europe and Amer ica, The Harpers nave embellished this new edi- tion with 141 beautiful engravings, drawn by eminent artists, and the book has been en- lorgea from 400 to 674 octavo pages. All the illustrations are superb, Many of them are new ones, While the text contains recont popular productions of contemporaneous American and British authors, “he Poets of the Nineteenth ventury” ia a standard work, and may be con- sidcred an embodiment of the poetic genius or the century which found expression in the English language from the time of Beattie to tho present period, “THE POEMS OF SCHILLER,” complete, in the original German, with translations: into English on the opposite pages, appear in one duodecimo volume, issued by Kohler, of Philadelphia, The idea of the publisher has been to pre- sent In a handy form an elegant and correct collection of the poetic productions of that pure-minded German genius, Tne arrangement of the volume will afford much pleasure to those who wish to compare the original with the translations. “POEMS FOR THE MILLION’ comprise the miscel- laneous pleces contributed from time to time by Francis $8, Smith to the columns of tie New York Weekly newspaper, which are now for the fist time collected, and pubiished for the author by the Ame- rican News Company. “DReaM LIFE AND OTHER Porma,” by Stockton Bates, Isa neat little volume just published by Claxton, Remsen & Hafelfinger, of Philadelphia, The verses are for the moat part light and musical, without belng particularly poett- cal, “SHORT POEMS FOR SHORT PEOPLE,” by Edgar Fawcett, publisned by Francis B. relt & Uo,, Is, as its title indicates, a collection of original little poems suitable for children. The subjects are various and the style is easy and simple. Many of them have hitherto appeared tn various magazines and journals and are now collected and published by permission. A pretty little story in verse for Christmas Eve, written by Edward Abbott and published by Randolph & Co., is entitied “THe Baby's THINGS,” and ts designed to illustrate the beneficence of charity—that “’tia more blessed to give than to receive.” Successful efforts have been made in recent years to render science popular. Lectures and Looks upon different scientific subjects nave contributed materially to unveil the wonders and beau- ties that ie hidden in agencies and objects with which we have seemed to be familiar, The domain of science 18 an extensive one, including as 1t does the earth, the sea, the alr, all forms of ‘animal and vegetable life, the stellar universe and the aspirations of the human mind to understand all the laws of nature and even unravel the myste- ries of the Infinite. In “FIRESIDE SCIENCE,” pub- lished by Hurd & Houghton, we have a series of popular scientific essays by Professor James R. Nichols upon subjects connected with the every-day affairs of individuals and families, The author has confined himself principally vo plain and practical Observations upon chemistry, and has pre- sented in this instructive and interesting little volame some of the deductions of the science and its bearings upon hygiene and the useful arts. Agricaltarists will And much important smforma- tion in these unpretending pages, and the general reader will be charmed with the remarks upon familiar subjects, and especially with the briel but sparkling essay on “the lost arts.” “Tus WONDERS or THe Waren,” translated from the French or Gaston Tissandier by Dr. Schele de Vere, of the University of Virginia, published by Charles Scrib- ner & Co, gives us @ comprehensive insight into the their multifarious physical, intellectual and moral as- pects; and th n, pursuing the subject to its practical application, po-nts out its important and proper tn- fluence opon jandscape gardening, architecture, sculpture, painting and poetry, ana fitiy closes nis highly mteresting observations upon Beauly with a beautiful upostrophe to Truth, “THs WONDERS OF THK YOSEMITE VALLEY AND OF CALIFORNIA,” the text by Professor Samuel Kneeland, with original photographic t/lustrations vy Joun P. Soule, and recently pupiished by Alex- ander Muore, of Boston, forms a handsome gilt book for the season. North America is prolific In mag- nificent natural scenery, but it 1s in the Far West, | among and beyond the Kocky Mountains and the | Sierra Nevadas, that che majestic monuments of the physical creation appear in their greatest aub- himity. Many of the wonders of that rugged region are minutely described and accurately iilustratca in vhis elegant octavo volume, which will , be particularly appreciated by all lovers of the grand and veauillul in nuinre, and especially of niouniain scenery unparalleled in the world; and to such this souvenir of the Sierras 1s iuscribed, “BoR- DEB REMINISCENCES,” by General Marcy, Inspector Geueral of the United States Army, just published by the Harpers, contains @ host of numorous sketches aud very funny stories, and concludes with some senstvle remarks and important information con. cerning the rapid settlement of the new North west and the routes 0; the aiiferent Pacitic railroads, Among the most fascinating and facetious hooks of travel is “THB AMERICAN 1OUR OF MESSRS. BROWN, JONES AND ROsINSON,” Issued by Appieton. It is a pictorial history of what they saw and did in the United States, Canada and Cuba, and will afford an ailbut inexnaustible fund for merriment to the lovers of the humorous, The pages are quarto size, and contain a curious collection of every variety of inimitable fun-provoking sketches. In a handy, smallsized duodccimo, pub- lished by Lee & Shepard, doth in Boston and New York, Professor James de Mille relates 1a an amusing manner the strange adventures of “Tus Youne DopGE Crus AMONG THB BRIGANDS.” Both the last-named publications are very entertaining books, but they differ very widely in their cnaracter; for while the tun of the former 1s apparent in the Pictures, the numor of the latter centres in the stories, But the recital of adventures wuich savor more of the reality is, that 1m another volume of Thomes’ Ocean Life sertes, which also comes from the press of Lee & shepard, Mr Thomes is the author of several previously pub- lished and successful seafsring stories, aud the Present volume, which 1s the Jatest of the series, professes to describe “THE WHALEMAN’S ADVEN- TURES IN THE SANDWICH ISLANDS AND CALIFOR- Nia.” Ag the marrative proceeds the interest increases, and youthiul readers will sit enchanted from. tho bogianing. anti Te WHOIe Gr (he yarn-or the Boston. boy 1s ended. ‘There are a few volumes of a more serious and substantial nature, mention of which mast not be omitied. First among these is “THE Bow IN THE OLoup,” a book of short essays on religious sub- jects, by the Right Rey. wilham Bacon, Bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania, and published in Philadelphia by the Hubbard Brothers, The essays are arranged under (he general heads of Affliction, Resignation, Comfort, Leaning on the Beloved and The Steep in Jesus; and each 1s followed by short scriptural ana poetical selections, The book is elegantly illustrated and beautifully bound, It contains a large amount of protitable reading, ts iuil of consolation for the sorrowful, and will be reverenually perused by those who are religiously inclined, “GENTLE MEASURES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE YouNG,” by Jacob Abbott, published by the Harpers, is an argument presented in a very fami- Har style, intenaed to demonstrate the principles on which @ firm parental authority may be estav- lished and maintained without violence or anger, and the right development of the moral and mental capacities be promotea by methods in harmony with the structure and the characteristics of the juvenile mina, We commend “Gentle Measures” to the earnest aitention of parents and guardians, From the Harpers also we have @ thoughtful volume from the pen of Gail Ham- ilton, entitled “‘WoOMAN’s WORTH AND WORTHLESS- Ness,” in which she discusses social subjects, par- ticularly the woman question, from a reasonable standpoint, Readers who are familiar with and who fancy the writings of Gail Hamilton will be glad to find her sertal sketches on the topics treated, collected and arranged in this more convenient aud enduring form. “DEMORKSI’S FASHION MAGAZINE AND YOUNG AMERICA,” bound in the choicest holiday style, with chromos set in the covers, and everything that can please the feminine and infantile mind inside, besides large framed chromo lithographs as pre- miums for each purchaser, are among the Mluml- nated literature for the holidays. ‘There are amoung the holiday publications quite a large number of gems of all descriptions for the ju- veniles. Three little story books, printed and bound in unifcrm style, by De Witt 0. Lent & Co., 451 Broome street, and called the Uakhurst Library, sre entitied respectively “LAWRENCE LISTON, JR.,”” “OakHURST: WHAT HARRY AND I Dip THERE — (both py the same author, “M. L. R. 8.)—and “Pa- BLES FOR LITTLE FOLKS,” by ‘‘Leai.”” Each tains a moral, and no doubt You all have wit enough to nnd them out, Five entertaining stories for the young folks, by Katheriae Saunders, are published in one volume by George Routledge & Sons, under the curious ule of the first of these tales, which is called “THE HavuntEp Crust.” The other stories’ are “Joan Merryweather,”’ ‘‘The Fiower Girl, “Old Mathew’s Puzzle,” and ‘Gentile Jack.” Dodd & Mead publish the story of “fue OLD Back koom,” by Jennie Harrison, a book more especially 1or boys, though it has “A Chapter to the Girls” in it, The girls will be apt to inquire why only one chapter was devoted to them while the re- maining tairty-six might be considered more par- ucuiarly intended for the boys. Macmillan & Vo, pub- lish three very beauti(ully bound and illustrated, small size quartos, entitied “Tag Lost Ont.p,” “LITTLE Lucy's WONDERFUL GLOBB” and “Puss AnD Rosin,” the two former in prose and the latter im rhymes, A charming story for larger chil- dren, by the autuor of “When I was & Littie Girl,” published in equally elegant style, also by Macmillan, is christened “Nine Ygars Oxp.” Two other little story books—"Tus VaGAaBOND,"”. and “CLAUDE SPENCER AND WAD- DLxEs” (under one cover) both by Mrs. ¥, Marshall Ward, published by T. Whittaker & Company, Bible House, compiete our present list of tales in prose for children, “Tag Lapy E.Giva” & Christmas Myth in verse, by the author of “Bertha Weisser’s Wish,” is the last and the jeast in size of all the holiday books for boys and girls that have been Placed upon our table. In the splendid estabilsn- ments of the various publishers and booksellers, however, will be found hundreds of other works, suitable jor people oF ail tastes and ages, and some of them may be even more attractive than several Of those that we have mentioned ART MATTERS. Exhibition ef Water Colors at Snedecer’s Gallery. There is perhaps no department of art which pos @esses so much charm for the general public as Painting in water colora, so much of freshness and simplicity characterize potn the subjects and their treatment that those who can admire beauty without too clearly comprehending it find themseives more at their ease before those exquisite little sketches of nature produced with a brilancy and tenderness of color that is Tarely tound 1p the stronger and more durable paint- ing in oil. Water color paiuting owea its popu larity to this quality of exquisite delicacy of color, which harmonizes so well with our most refined CONCEPTIONS OF BEAUTY, and perception of tints, which cannot be conveyed with the same richness and delicacy by any other process, In the present exhibition we meet with » number of examples by artists of Well-estab- lished reputation in the diferent genres, Some ‘Flower Studies,” by De Longrepres, carefully drawn and very brilliant iu color, Excellent taste has been displayed in the selection of the flowers of various hues, which are grouped so as to offer gentie contrasts, without disturving the harmony Of the general etfect,- Several landscapes by Martin, are ‘ull of charming feeling. One very cool bit, witn water in. the foreground and groups of trees in the middle distauce, exhibits thorough sympathy with what is poetic ia country scenery, and has been carefully and effectively composed. The modelling of the oil iorm m the background and the distribution of the light and shade evidence knowledge and feel- ing on the part of the artist. The sense of ol space and atmosphere {3 aigo well bo aid bat the tone ot the piciue 1s almost too cold. Another landscape by the same artist, WILN a sunset effect, treated with A TENDER THOUGHT FULN ESS that revenis poetic teeling in tue artist, This qual- ity —nevessary in all departments of art—is abso- lutely essential ip uiscape, and it. 18 to its ab- sence that we owe so many paintings which, though exinbiting skiil in tue execution, fail to move or impre-8 us hecause tney are wanting in the quality or aympetiy which is the very soul. of true jo this sunset tne artist makes amends for the coldness of his coloring in the Dainting we have just noticed, The distant horizon 4s bavued m crimson tints by the departiag sun and fue shadows which ate gradually steailog over tue foreground of the landsca, Perhaps tue must im prtant Work in Whe galiery ts Vibert’s “Spanish Monk," which Ig Well known through the engray- Fare ‘this Satire ie iull of glut bens au fire alittle grotesque, whica runs through near! Viberv’s works, The two monks market are capitally Ce a and the coarse, volu tuous uature ol tie One OD foot, Who directs a 100! of very earthly admiration 10 the direction of the peasant girl who stands close to the wall to allow the monks to puss, We cannot say chat this work belongs to a high clags of art, because THE ESSENTIAL OF ALL TRUE ART is truth and purity, and in we have only a pandering Ww @ vulgar prejudice. lu point of execu- 10D, however, the work possesses a great deai of merit. ‘The, dgures are well drawa and the group capitully composed. He must be a dull person indeed who requires any expianution of the story sougdt to be conveyed. Another exampte by the same artist presents an vid geutieman of the pust century aiter what vas evidently been an excellent repast, aud the old fellow is lying back tn his caatr @t peace with himself and with all the worid. Berne Bellecwur contributes several subjects, which Cine 4 Considerable artistic puwer. The most elaborate of these 1s an interior, m Which @ Jady is regarding @ parrot. Some houses ana trees Whose bare branches and irosty aspect tell us tnat it 19 winter, are geen through a window. There is no avory, and tue picture depends, like so many MODERN VA(NiINGS, entirely on the skill displayed im its execution to interest us, inthe present work there 1s a repose- ful szentument avout the sium that is very pleasing. ‘The detatis have been painted with great care, Another work the same artist, which we like mach bewer, 1s a love-naking sceng by @ beau of the olden time. ‘Ihe composition couveys all the story, and the figures are firmly abd natural drawn, ‘The tady's dea is painted will Tare force and brilitaney of color. There are quite @ nuuwber of other works which are worthy, of no- tice, but we are compeiled by want oi space tu pass thein vy. ‘Tue exhibition oi water colors 1s quite a novelty, as our galleries are almost Wholly de voted to the display Of palutings im Ol, to the neg- lect of this important and deiigtiul branca of tue fine arts, In England and France water color Painting disputes the public favor with much suc cess with is nore powerlal rival, apd there is nd doubt that the introduction of geod examples of this schol uto America wil) nave the eifect of de- veloping @ taste or these lighter Works among our pet re ‘fue present collection wil well repay @ v Art Sates. A number of paintings by Kuropean ana wp cone artists will be offered for sale at Schenck’s auction roum, Liverty sireet, to-day. The collection 13 not large, but the names of the artists are familiar to the pubiic, ‘There are no works of extraordinary merit, but there are Many pleasmg and effective pictures. Among these, “New York Bay,” by E. Moran, deserves special mention as @ carefuily studied and meritorious work. We have the usual excellence in the water treatment which is found in this artist’s works, combined with sky paloting of rare effectiveness, The supjoct 1s @ good one, and well handied, “A Coast Scene,* by Mr. Heade, is also well worthy of notice, displaying excelient judgment in the painting of sll water, ‘This artist seems to have adupted his style from Whistler, an American artist, whose painting of English river scenes attracted mucn attention in England a few years azo. He is, however, wanting in the force and depth of color which distingutsh tne very original works of Mr. Whistler, “The Lit- Ue Laundress,” by Arnaux, ‘Ine Card Players” and “Teasing Polly,’ by Wiulems, with a@ iow other works, complete the foreign representation. A lorge number of our native artists are also repre- seuted. Que good feature in the collection is that all the worms are original. Most of the inferior works were disposed of at yesterday's suie at re- markably low prices. Indeed, the problem of life must be avery dificult oue with our young as- pirants to art honors if all thew productions sell as cheapiy as Uiose Which air. Schenck disposed of Yesterday. MINER’S SALESROOM. Acollection of some hunudreu pamtings will be Bold to-day at this uuction room. lost of the works make no clatm to originality mere.y purport to be copies from the masierpt of the Old World. Some men walk boldly here angels tear tread,” and these works furnish us with excel- lent exemplfication of the proverb, Those at all conversant With art know the difficulties that attend tue Copyiug Oi & Murillo, Guido, Greuze oc a Rem brandt, and how the greatest ariists of modern tunes lay down their palettes aud abandon the un- equal struggle, Ovpies aiter tne old masters, even by -those disuagulshed in art, always are unsatisfactory, and we can scarcely expect to find satisiactory Work alter men altogether unknown, But we suppose that there are people whose taste Jeads them W preier indifferent copies of great works to leas pretentious contemporary works. ‘There are in the collection a nuiaber of water color palntings by Cattermoile, KR. A., and Hayes, KR. and Clarke, R, A., which possess a great d merit. “Sounding the charge” is a spirited position, and ‘The Monk’s Blessing,”’ by the same ‘Arist, displays deep feeling aud effective color. tome very meritorious marine paintings by Layes and one or two examples by Clarke, are suillcient to Jeud interest Co the collection. FREE FIGHT IN A GIN MILL. Eye-Gonging, Cannibalism and Clubbing—Aa Policeman In a Tight Corner. The liquor store on the northwest corner of Fifty- fourtn street and Second avenue, owned by Jerry ‘Murphy, was the scene of an exciting disturbance on Wednesday afternoon. Several persons were engaged tu “chucking” dice when a misunderstand ing arose between two of the parties, the result of which was afree fight of the roughest and most exciting description—something on the Kentucky style, Bye-gouging, mose-biting clubming and tumbling of tue highest order were indulged in, with zest and great freedom, until Oiticer Riordan, of the Nineteenth precinct, pa’ mm sppearauce on the scene of baltic. He made @ (aint attempt at queiting tho row, whea ‘those who were heretofore fighting among them- selves now turned upon hun, and atter knocking him dowa three or four times took his club away and would have used him pretty roughly out for the interierence of the two bartenders, with whose assistance le succeeded in arresting Patrick Wasi Williaa Quirk and Walter Butier, who were locke Up. Walsh nad a bad cut on his head, bestles hav. ing one of his ears badly eaten. quirk had aisoa severe cut on the head, ‘fhe tlree were yesterday taken before Alderman Piunkitt, at the Yorkville Police Court, where Butler was discharged and the otner two held to bail to answer. “WOBBY OLARK” AGAIN IN TROUBLE. William Harding, slias “Nobby Clark,’’ one of the most expert pickpockets In the city, was arraigned before Justice Cox at Jefferson Market yesteraay morning, Theodore W, Todd, of 77 Front street, charges that on Wednesday night, while on the rear platierm ot one of the New Haven Railroad ars, Har- at wad & companion shoved against bim, tie tele for his wallet, contauiny $.64n money, and found is missing, He immediately seized Harding and handed hun over to the custody ot Oticer Hvans, oF the ‘twenty-ninth precinct. iis accompilge sic ceeded In making his escape with tie plunder. He bs the charge, Dyt Was locked up lor ¢xauniMae