The New York Herald Newspaper, January 2, 1875, Page 3

*r Py i t ' Ee —————— = NEW YEAR'S. DAY. How It Was Celebrated in the City and Suburbs. Installation of Mayor William H. Wickham. SCENES AT THE CITY HALL. Reception by the Sheriff} and County Clerk. Immense Throng of Skaters at tho Ceu- tral Park. Observances at the Public and Charitable Institutions. New Year's Day 1s one of the principal red letter days of civilization, Like Christmas, it bids all humanity above savagedom to be joyous and hope- Jul, Ever since the Romans dedicated January to Janus it has been deemed to be in harmony with the eternal fitness of things that tts earliest days should be the season of good omens and friendli- ness, and that these should take the form of visits between neighbors, of wishing happiness and of New Year’s gifts, In nearly all the cities of the world, with the exception of Paris and New York, the day obtains only a careless observance; it has &@ recognition, it is true, but it 1s the recognition of accident and not that of universal custom,” whereas with us men leave all meaner things to welcome the dawn of another well-marked period im the calendar Oi/ their !ives. * In Paris they celebrate the birth of a new year bya generous distribution of giits to husbands, | wives, children, more distant relations, and to friends who are near and dear. It is a day of Donvons and light hearts and a night of pleasure, gayety and intense enjoyment, at the opera, tho theatre aud tne café, In New York the Parisian spirit is toned and sobered by the Knickerbocker influence. The celebration takes a social turn and Is less demonstrative, Formalism and friend- liness for ofce meet on a common ground and embrace each other. It 1s a day for formal calis; ‘but the season, with its significance, and the gen- erous hospitality lift the formalism into imiendliness, and if those who call do mot see each other again unwi the next New Year, all down the sunshine and sbadow of the twelve months the visit is one of the pleasant memories of life. 1t was observed yesterday in New York and Brooklyn after the same old fashion. The day was bright, fine, clear’ and cold—pleasant for those who made their calls either in carmages or on 1oot; for the first braced | the nerves and gave a lightness to the step that ‘was almost equal to a sixth sense. BEST SOCIETY VISITATION, Fifth avenue, Murray Hill, Madison avenue, the neighbornood of Central Park, and, indeed, all the fashionable region of both cities, was a prolonged pageant yesterday. On ail the sidewalks waa the assembled flower of manhvod, andin the parlors Were groups of budding and full blewn woman- hood, in all the loveliness of nature and art. The majority of the callers were young men; some | were of a blasé kind, affecting an elegance of cos- tume that would indicate that the nobiest study of mankind was dress. They had scen enough of | the world, evidently, to acguire the air and man- ner of a luxurious and cnervating indolence, One wonders if life ever was to these men real and earnest; whether they were animated in their earlier days to heroic ambitions and to noble aims, ‘whether they had ever triea to give this purpose to the years of their earlier manhood, ana, failing in this, had given up the determination to possess @gentle rememprance in some tender heart and toacquire a dazzling fame among their fellow men, and lived now content only to cat, drink and | sleep well, These representatives o: the youthful manhood of “Vanity Fair’ :ound ready admission to the brown stone palaces of tne rich, the great and the good. Fair women, arrayed in toilcts of surpassing richness and with a natural beauty of | ature that In some cases liad been largely as- sisted by art, received these men in tueir parlors ‘With all the tact and grace that is woman’s nata- raldowry. The good old Knickerbocker custom Das established the necessity tnat to the pleasant greetings which the occasion naturally suggests there should be the distribution of a large hospi- tality, so the pretty Women in the exquisite toilets offer refreshment, which, thanks to modern wis- dom, is generally toothsome and exhilarating, but not fiercely stimulating. Few men are equal tv the drinking of 4 glass of Wine at every call without being unpleas- antly compelied to encounter demoralizing consequences, and 80 Fashion and Beauty have dereed, of late years, that “the lunch cdtnter of the armking saloon” shall no longer desecrate thelr drawing rooms, ‘There is discretion as well | a8 morality mm this, NEW YEAR'S NIGHT. The “calls” are generally supplemented by the evening party and the dance. An abstinence from wine in the day enables the gentlemen to putin an appearance at these parties with all their virtues thick upon the: This is greatly Promotive of harmony and a good time. it aD assemblage there is, generally, at these New Year’s parties and balis! Lt should be a congress Of the wit, the beauty and the fame of the-city, or of the best people in our own set. Instead of this it 18 a grand display of dancing, bene ae smirking, feigning and feasting. Ladies in silks and satins are criticising ladies in gauze and gossamer. They are all watching with eagie gyes their marriageable companions of both sexes. fhere 18 more calculation than-love in their =, and a great deal of jealousy if a tavored lend seems to obtain a monopoly of the atten- tion of a gay cavalier. Then there are the non- @ancing dowagers and the non-dancing men. ‘What an effort 1t 1s for them tobe amiable and Kill time at one operation! How the elderly gen- tlemen twist single gloves in a very wretched Manner when they bow to the dowagers, and then —clutc! their hands behind them and walk away, looking very miserable! Then the dowagers get off tneir littie Jokes on the old men as they shuitie away. But, thank God, all these littienes#es 0; humanity Not spoil the music! The airs of Verdi, Mozart Wagner that the stringed band 1s pouring forth in all their divine melody no hollow laughter, no unmeaning compiiinents can rob us of. They will live until the day comes When there are no more new years to rise and set. NRW YRAR’S FOR THE MILLION. Yesterday was a day of rest for the weary. The laboring, the toiling poor obtained a rest yester- @ay, wWiich, upon the whole, they wisely used. How goon the poor jorget their wretchedvess! Being ouly used to live for the present, they make a ain Of every pleasure as Soon as tt oifers Itself. | he surfeited rich are much more dificult to | tisly; they require time and everything to suit before they ean be happy. If 1t were not for the clotnes that will wear out, the appetites that grow larger, and the winter, wnen sunshine cannot be got for nothing, the poor might banish dull care away. But this social pressure, tuis enigma of Ife comes to ail of us, more or less; to the poor ‘with unrelenting emphasis, and makes yesterday too often only the prelude to a lue that has much sorrow and little sunsiune. AT THE CITY HALL, ‘The inauguration of Mayor Wilitam H. Wickham ‘was the event of the day in this city. Offictally his presence at the City Hal! commanded the respect of the numerous heads of departments ; personaliy his popularity attracted a host of friends, Tuese elements being combined it may readily be in- ferred that the occasion was as cheerful and aus picious aa the most devoted and hopeful admirers of the new tneumbent coald have looked for. In the “old country,” as naturalized fortune seekers are. wont to style affectionately some sections of the Eastern Hemisphere, the incoming Lord Mayor is generally treated to a procession immediately atter he bas donned the robes of office and taxpayers standing on the tiptoe of expectation are permitted to gaze upon his be- nign countenance from house tops, windows and the street, but as the European plan in that re- spect has not yet been adopted on this side of the Atiantic there remains but little to chronicle so far as Mayor Wickham’s installation is coneerned. Tne process was simple, for the reception of a bunch of keys went a long ways to give the new Mayor nine points of the law. Let it ne recorded, than. iat tae. now Mayor NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, JANUARY New York, in whom so many hopes are centred and from whom so mach ts expected in the way of sound government as the chief executive of- ficer of the metropolis, was yesterday vested with authority which he is destined henceforth to sway for the good or evil of the city, And it may not be inopportune in this connection to recite, briefly, @ few facts relative to THE CAREKR OF THE NEW MAYOR. Although Mr, Wickham has never held any public position or been a candidate for any office, he has always been identified with the democratic party. In 1863-4 he wasa member of Tammany Hall General Committee, but being somewhat in- dependent in his views he left that organization and relingnished politics altogether. When the Universal cry of reform was raised he promptly came to the front and became a leader of the Apoilo Hall organization, being at the same time a very active member of the famous Comiittee of Seventy. It 18 generally admitted that the com- plete rout of the corrupt ring was in a great meas- are attributable to the judgment and abilit, he exhibited in the carrying out of that never to be forgotten ‘campaign against fraud. When the Committee of Seventy nominated the 1ate Mr. Havemeyer Mr. Wickham dissented, but was strong in his oppost- tioa tO the nomination of Mr. O’Brien by Apollo. When both seemed inevitable he again retired. Meauwhiie Tammany had been purged of its un- Wholesome elements, and on invitation he became 8 member on the General Com- mittee and Committee on Organization. So far his career has veen characterized by integrity and aD carnest desire to beneft the community. He reegived his reward in November last, when, by tie voice of the people, he was elected to fill the office of Chief Magistrate of New York. It may be added that Mr. Wickham has always been en- gaged in active business; wnat after having grad- uated at o classical academy in Vermont he be- cume connected with the Pactfic Mail Steamship Company during its early organization, ana that Jrom 1859 to 1861 was its agent tn New York. In 1860 Mr, Wickham Joined tne old Volunteer Fire Department and jor two years officiated as its President. He was also an active member of the Mercaniile Library Association and for five years was one of its prominent officers. Mr. Wickham’s grandiather came to this city irom Long Island in 1700 and became one of the original founders of the New York Stock Exchange. 01 late Mr. Wick- ham has been engaged in business in Maiden lane with his jather, an esteemed and well known mer- chant, The Mayor is forty-two years old, THE MAYOR'S RECEPTION. In view of the hone nt arrival at the City Hall a dense throng assembied in the vicinity Of that classic butiding, The comments of the crowd were suggestive; tor, With that disinterestedness which some aspiring mortals display when speaking of the powers that be, showers of commendation fell upon the unconscious shoulders of the coming man. It was about ten minutes to twelve o'clock when Mayor Vance ascended with alacrity the steps of the City Hall He awaited with pleasur- able anxtety the last stroke of the old clock, pro- claiming that his brief but brilliant reign had ceased, and hurried to the civic chair to welcome the people’s choice and say, Le Maire est mort; Vive le Maire. He had not long been cogitating on the cares of omice or the dangers of the stormy sea upon whicn for atime he had been cast, and, indeed, could hardly have had time to congratulate himself“ upon the — skilrul way in which he bad guided the municipal ship when the new helmsman, tresh and full of confidence, appeared upon deck. There was no formality, Immediately upon the arrival of Mr. Wickham he was most courteously received by Mayor Vance, The two genticmen retired to the Mayor’s office, when Mr. Wickham was installed as the Chief Magtstrate of the city. Tnis done, Mayor Wickham, accompanied by Mr. Vance, pro- ceeded to the Governor’s room to hold the recep- tion, A large assemblage was tn attendance to pay tribute of respect to the new Mayor. Indeed, the throug Was denger than on. many a previous in- auguration day, and so, when Mayor Wickham and Mr. Vance, accompanied by City Marshal Joel O. stevens, ascended the steps leading to the Gov- ernor’s room Captain Leary and his force from the city Hall had enough to do to make the passage clear, But tbere Was no Confusion. Mayor Wick- ham, Mr. Vance and tue City Marshal promptly took @ position at the head of the antiquated chamber, and Captain Leary, having arranged that all should pass in Indian file, the reception com- menced. As each visitor appeared he was pre- sented to the Mayor ana Mr. Vance by City Mar- shai Stevens, and then went down and out. Thousands thus paid hurried compliments to the new Chief Magistrate, who in turn was nial and modest, yet dignified and graceful. At hall-past twelve o'clock the stream poured swittly in. All classes were represented, from the princely merchant to the tolling workman, and all were welcomed with true earnestness and friendly feeling. ‘Tne heads of departments were earliest in at- tendance, including Sheriff Conner, Commissioner Van Nort, Commissioner Green,’ Counzy Clerk Waish, tne Commissioners of Police and the Com- missioners ot Excise. Then the old and new Al- dermen put in an appearance, among them being Aldermen Lysaght, Morris, Flanagan, Van Schaick and others. Then came many members of Assem- biy, including Messrs. Daly, Costigan, Nicholas Muller, and, im fact, neariy ali the representa- tives irom the city. The Tax Commission was represented by Mr. Wheeler. There were also present Postmaster James, Professor Glaubens- klee, Judge C. M. Clancy, Colone: Dunlap, Mr. C. U. O'Connell, Augustus Schell and w host of pri- vate citizens, But tt would be idie to endeavor to give at length one tithe of the names which rang upon the ears of the Mayor. Tne Bench, the Bar, and, indeed, all the professions, as well as the | mercantile interest of the city, were largely and pee represented, while politics seemed to have little to do with the character of tne recep- tion, It was altogether one 1 the most barmontous social events, blending, as it did, every element that couid contribute to its success, that ever marked the inauguralof a chief executive oficer of New York. And if Mayor Wickham and his able marshal underwent a trying ordeal the reward must be jound in the thousand hopeiul expres- sions Which the occasion gave rise to, After all, it was a gratifying spectacle—the democrat and the republican standing side by side aud alike receiv- ing the friendly greetings of their fellow citizens, The reception closed at one o’ciock, When Mayor Wickham proceeded to bis olfice, where he re- mained closeted with ex-Mayor Vance ior some time, being afterward visited by several promi- pent oficials. Mayor Wickham did not transact any public ousiness yesterday, but will formally enter on bis duties to-day. THE HAPPY PAIR. BOUND TO BE ALDERMEN ANYHOW. There was to have been a meeting of the defunct Board of Assistant Aldermen yesterday afternoon for the purpose of reorganizing, resolutions hev- ing been previously passed to the effect that the law legisiating them out of office was unconstitu- tional, but for some reason few of them put in an appearance at the appointed time. Assistant Al- derman Healy, who had been selected as the pre- siding officer, promptly took the chair, which he occupied for @ considerable time in patient expec- tation, Assistant Alderman Cumisky and one or two other members of the Board were present, but there was nota sufncient number to make up & quorum, so an adjournment was declared in or- der. But there were otnersin the world who take Qn interestin the affairs of the city vesiaes the gentlemen referred to, for it will be remembered that Messra. Toner and Demorest, thoroughly be- heving that the abolition of the Board was an tlle- po act, ran Jor office some time ago, and there eing no formidable opposition to either of them, whey themsetves beiug the only candidates, both were apparently elected, so they insisted upon being sworn in. The happy brace of statesmen organized themselves yesterday into a body of the whole, as it were, and their subsequent opera- Uons are best explained in the following epistle :— New Youx, Jan. 1, 1376, To His Howor Tun Maron or New Youk:— Sin—The undersigned, Assistant Aldermen elected at the iate election tor the Fifteenth and Twentieth As- sembly districts and Assistant Aldermanic districts, | having, pursuant to law, duly qualified and filed their oaths of office, set forth uiat, on the Ist day of January, 1875, at twelve o'clock, they assembled in the hall of the Board of Assistant Aldermen; that the electors of the other nineteen districts have apparently tailed or ne- lected Lo elect Assistant Aldermen from their respective istricts, and, there Lays No quorum present, were un- able to organize the said Board. Therefore we, the under- sighed, members of said Board of Assistant ‘Aldermen, in order that there shall not be interrupted government Aud that this city shall not be without a legally consti- tuted Common Council, most respectfully demand that you, as the executive’ head of the city government, officially notity the proper officers of wie tacts hereit set forth, in order that # special election may be held in the said Assistant Aldermanic districts to fli the yacau- cies therein. . A. DEMOREST, ’ Assistant Alderman, Fifteenth district. ARTICK TONER, Assistant Alderman, Twentieth district. Mayor Wickham has not yet decided upon his action in the premises. Messrs, Demorest and Toner say tuey are in earnest, THE NEW REGISTER. General Patrick H. Jones, elected in November last to the Registership ag the repubiican candi date, took formal possession of his office yesterday at eleven o'clock. The new appointments will probably be made to-day. There was no formal Teception of iriends by the new Register. LEVEE AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. Sheriff Conner, in conjunction with County Clerk Walsh, held a reception yesterday in the offices of the former and enjoyed the satisfaction of meeting a larger number of friends than ever attended any similar reception of the kind. As early as ten o’clock the ground floor of the build- ing Was densely thronged, and people commenced to Mle past the two hosts, both of whom were the recipienis of the heartiest cougratulations. Of late the health ofthe County Clerk has not been 8 good as many Would wish; but the numerous bi yin A and hopeful expressions which fell upon fis ear could not but ‘ave their encouraging effect upon s0 ular and efficient an oficial. Ne the hi of departments visited the Sherif’s office, and throughout the we So iselng og eas Kept Pour of in, the at- vate citizens. The of merchants and lerk welcomed their host Sherif and the County friends with characteristic hospitalivy. The vis- itors were presented by Major Quincy, who also did the honors of the banquet table. During the day Comptroller Green put in an appearance. He Was of course invited to fare and sparkling beverage) \.at made the table groan. “Ah,” said the Comp. vb “the more [ drink the ‘tignter’ I get.” The Shert(f took the bint, and doubtiess appreciating the tight-liated policy of the wily financier, replied, “that being tue case I will offer you ony one glass”’—a remark that made the room ring with peals of laughter. The reception terminated at two o'clock. AT THE CHURCHES. Yesterday the Feast of the Circumcision of our Lord was duly celebrated in the Catholic and Prot estant Kpiscopal charches of the city. No special feature marked the celebration in the Catholic charcies, low mass being read in most instances. The day was a ‘ast’? one and churchgoers were reminded of the fuct, white the Godless took heed of it to the ietter and not the spirit. In St. Peter’s, in Barclay street, mass was cele- brated without any great pomp. At St. Alban’s Kitualistic church mass was sung om the Feast of the Circumcision was ob- served, SKATING ON CENTRAL PARK. In the grim, gray light of the early dawn yester- day the Central Park wore anything but a cheer- ful aspect, The walks and bypaths were deserted, the shrubbery barren and robbed of its verdure, and the trees, with their leafless branches, stood Out against a aky of ashen hue, mere skeletons of their former glory. The north wind sobbed and Moaned as it hurried along as though mourning for something it had lost; the Mall, which in the golden summer time is the chief pride and beauty of the Park, was wrapped in the snow which yet Femains from tue last snow storm, and it seemed ag ifthe old year, upon its deathbed and before being hurried “into the infinite azure of bbe past,’? had dropped its shroud upon that erewhile emerald carpet. But there ts @ brighter side to the picture than this, for when the sun was high up in the heavens, and when on the cars which run along the various avenues was put out the signal which indicated that the ball was up and there was skating in the Park, all was changed. At first they came by twos and threes, but by noon aD apparently never-ending stream of hu- manity thronged the paths leading to the Lake, and so it continued ali day. The youthful portion of the community were inalarge majority, with @ fair representation of men, boys of @ larger growth and a sprinkling of the fair sex to relieve the monotony. ‘The ice was in excellent condition, only one or two-of the danger” signs being deemed neces- sary, and during the day at least 20,000 peopie availed themselves of the opportunity of cutting figures on the ice, Sorry encugh figures many of them cut, too, for the white patches on ther backs told plainly enough that im an attempt to “grind the bar backward” or to “spread the eagic” their feet had own from under them, and instead of spreading the eagie they had spread themselves—on the ice. The peopie in charge of the loaning of skates could scarcely supply the sudden and umprecedented demand made upon them, and along line of impatient and ardent lovers of the sport, anxious to be on the ice, were constantly in Waiting. An army of would-be lie servants besieged and tmportuned each fresh arrival with ‘Have your skatesputon Only five cents,” and even at this moderate jee the young- sters reaped a rich barvest. At the reireshment booths, at which “hot lem onade”’ and “hot sherry” anything but hot were ladied out, a lively business was done, and, juug- ing from the number of times which Many of the visitors repeated, it 1s foriunate nothing stronger was sold. The day abounded in those scenes and incidents which invariably occur on @ crowded skating pond. A troop of merry ciildren are hauling papa or mamma in @ chair on runners, An ex- quisite swell, with skating cap and sealskin gloves, a natty cane in his hand, along. The eyes of his duicinea, who is standing on the bank, ure upon him, and he is anxious to make an impression. He nas not seen the party, orelse has miscalculated the distance, for sud~ denly @ collision occurs, His fleet fy up and bis head goes down, and he 1s instantly aware that some- thing has dropped, He inwardly curses the fates which placed him in such a ridiculous position and at such an wopportune moment; therefore he takes @ solemn oath never to get caught in such @ scrape again. The new beginner was there, confident before his skates Were on that he would oreate @ sensa- tion as soon as he got on the ice, and he suc- ceeded, ior he experienced several very peculiar sensations as well. As the sun Went down many of the skaters went home, but they were not missed, for their places were quickly filled by the new arrivals. The pona ‘Was brilliantly lighted up alter dark, the immense retlectors making It light enough to see weil, even to the nooks and windings which abound on the | remote edges. It was ascene Of animation and merriment seldom witnessed on the pond 1n the skating season, The lights were extinguished shortly after eleven o'clock, but it was midnight beiore the sounds of mirth and laughter which Tung out in the cola, clear air were husiied. The ponds were to have been swept and scraped last night and those portions which veeded it fooded, 80 as to have new ice formed for to-day. ~ AT THE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS, CHILDREN’S AID SOCIETY. At No. 27 St. Mark's place yesterday there were No particular festivities, except plum pudding and roast beef, which may be considered as “extras ;’’ but the general air of quiet satisfaction among the inmates must have been a source of gratifica- tion to the benevolent patrons of the charity. Last month seventy-nine young girls were pro- vided with places in respectable families, all of whom have reason to biess the beneticence of the Children’s Aid Society. The managers have to report their work lor the year as follows :— on S 12,750 Number of lodgers....... Number of lodgings furnished. Number of lodgings paid for. Number of meals provided Number of meals paid for 2 Numer of girls sent to situation 683 Number ot girls found employment. 32 Number of gtris sent to friends.. . 80 Number Of girls sent to other institutions... 41 Number of girls sent West... 38 Number of girls sent to hospital. 19 Number of girls sent to Kurope 4 Number Of giris learning +o operate sewing machines....... 735 Number of giris found einployment on sew- ing MachiNes.......... 268 Number of loagers, ave 35 $4,704 1,805 Net cost to the soctety for the year....... $2,890 The new year of 1875 may be unpropitious. but if 1t adds to the above record of active charity it ‘will not be without its noblest reward, the words of the Master “Well done, thou good and faishiul servant.” ROMAN CATHOLIC ORPHAN ASYLUM. At the above home yesterday there was nothing of peculiar interest. The children were marshalled early and the infant band were drilled in their exercises, A good dinuer was provided by the and ushered in. charges at twelve o’ciock M. to the institute, and in a sedate aud orderly Manner the exercises were performed. WOMEN’S LYING-IN HOSPITAL. religious exercises, the new year was festivity at the above asylum for the patients, the managers deemed it best to observe the day in a quiet manner, and, therefore, quiet reigned in the neighborhood of mie street and Lexington avenue. Tbe New Year’s chimes were ringing merrily, and it was to ve hoped that the cheer of thete morey echoes carried joy to many @ lonely ear SHELTER FOR RESPECTABLE GIRLS. The home for convalescents and shelter for respectable girls at No. 332 Sixth avenue presented quiet appearance yesterday. There was an addi- tion to the cuisine in the establishment, roast beet and plum pudding adding to the attractions of tne menu, out, a8 Thanksgiving and Uhristmas had added to the larder, New Year's had little more to afford, It was a pleasant sight to sce the old la dies and children united, and if brignt-eyed 1876 had nothing more of cheer to add than Hope— that avant courier of the future andgbetter days— it Wae ap earnest of the improving time, HOME FOR FRIENDLESS GIRLS, At No. 41 Seventh avenue there isa home for {rienaiess young giris, and the opening of the new year here, without being characterized by any ostentatious festivities, was withal full of interest for those who bestow thetr charities in_this direc- tion, There were no contributions warrantin any New Year's festivities in this home, conse- quently there were no unusual preparations, but the general air of content and happiness would Dave convinced any of the patrons that their work of charity was going bravely on. The now year of 1875 1s full of promise and cheer, and the bene- Eoaritel are recetving the full award of New York 8) ty. AT THE DOWNTOWN INSTITUTIONS, At the downtown institutions the day passed o: very quietly. Indoors there was very little to make the children feel that the day was one for festivity. With the exception of the Five Points House of Industry there was no especial feature at any of the houses to distinguish New Year's from Lapy other day, As the Bopso pf Indpeyy about aimoners of this institution, and, amid singing | The Ststers marched witb their | As no provision had been made for any extra | take ol the sumptaous | comes sailing , | | forty of the older boys and giris made merry all the afternoon, playing games and indulging in various innocent enjoyments, The hall in which the little festival was held was still bright with the decorations which had been used at Christmas. Late in the evening the children partook of an ¢x- cellent supper, At the Newsboys’ Loaging House, in New Chambers street, a substantial dinner was served by Mr. O'Connor, the Superintendent; but beyond tnis there was no arsine At the Five Points Mission House, the Howard Mission and the St, Vincent Home for Boys there was rothing uo- usual, ON THE ISLANDS AND AT THE HOSPITALS. The inmates of the penal and charity institu- tions on the tslands had no extra dinner yeater- day, and the celebration of the new year was Mmited to the religious services, which were held in the various chapels. The only material enjoy- ment of the occasion was supplied in the shape of New Year's cake, of which the Commissioners of Charities bad furnished abundant quantities. Messrs. Dounelly and Cox, two of the new Com- Missioners, visited the paupers and the criminals, and Mr. vonneilly, who is a good-hearted public ofiicer, hada Kind word to say to every one he spoke with, At the Lunatic Asylum there were some festivities, the inmates enjoying a dance in the evening. At the hospitals the day was observed by religious services and the eating ol cake, At Bellevue Warden Brennan mangurated tue new yeur by the presentation of a valuable picture to Sister Heien, who bas charge of the traming school. Although the day Was vold of its most pleasing teature—an extra dinner—the inmates of the penal institutions had some reason to remem- ber It jor the grateiul suspension of labor wnich it brought, witle those of the Almshouse and hos- pitals were gladdened by the sight of their reia- tious and friends, The little boys and girls on RKandali’s Island, who retain much of the gayety of children, despite their surroundings, indulged im every possible frolic, IN BROOKLYN. ‘The old year passed away, and a new leaf in the annals of time was turned in the City of Churches amid the report of frearms and the ringing of the chimes of St, Ann’s, on the Heights. In many of the Methodist, Episcopal and Baptist churches the parteboners and pastor assembled at the watch meetings, and with music and psalm singing saw the year 1874 pass away. Before daylight, and while the first quarter moon and the morntng star were shining brightly in the heavens, the bells of the Catholic churches rung forth the summons to early devotions, it being the Feast of the Epiphany, @holiday of obligation, A ready response was given by the people, who even at that early hour of the day thronged the edifices, and many approached the communion rails and received the sacrament of the Eucharist, Masses were celevrated the same son Sundays. As the forenoon wore on gayly at- tired groups of young men were to be seen hasten- ing along the streets, bent upon carrying our the time-honored custom of making Cails. Door bells were rung, bright faced ladies ushered in the callers and the compliments of the seasop were exchanged, Carriages rattled over the frosty pavements and livery stable keepers chuckled vver their profits, $25 being the price for a day’s use ofacoach and team. His Honor Mayor Hun- ter received calls at tre City Hall, He kept a strictly temperance tavie. Among those who called upon the Mayor were Akierman Ripley Ropes, President Jacob I. Bergen, of the Board of Aldermen; Jonn F. Henry, Comptroller Samuet Ss. Powell, Assessor Hennessey, John F. Farrington, J. Brinkernod, Deputy Comptrolier James Terry, Commissioners of Police Briggs, Jourdan and Jensen; P, Keady, Engineer Dale, Coroners Nolan and Sims, Commissioners of Charities Cunmgham, Norris and Raver; Commissioners of City Works Palmer and Whiting, Dr. Holly, of the Health Board, and many other prominent citizens and officials. The pressure for admission to the pres- ence of the Mayor was not great, however. District Attorney Winchester Britton also en- tertained his iriends at tis house in Carroll street, South Brooklyn, during the day and evening. Chie! Snyineer Nevins, of tue Fire Department, and jady, were made happy tn receiving their friends at tneir residence in Carroll street, near Hicks. Indeed, upon all sides the custom oi pay- ing respect to iriends Was never more generally observed in Brookiyn than was the case yester- day. There was very littic dissipation apparent in the streets. On the Prospect Park lake skating was enjoyed by upward of 2,000 men. and boys, who prelerred sliding on the ice to the other atrractions afforded upon the occasion. the ball Was also up, anu the proprietors reaped a harvest of greenbacks. Matinée and evening performances were given at the Brooklyn, Park | and Olympic theatres, and they were well ate | tenued. aT STS PETER AND PAUL'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. The services yesterday in Sts. Peter and Paul’s church in Williamsburg were most impressive. At the principal service the pastor, Rev. . Malone, delivered a sermon. In hus remarks he said:—Duty is the most important feature in man’s lite. It must be loved, pondered over and faithiuily juifilled. Then there ts nothing like the Jove of justice and truth. It will sanctily and ennovbie us; it will impart happiness to our minds and justify us before God, Oh, how splendid ts the knowledge of truth! We should endeavor to communicate it to ail men. In this respect, said advantages 1n the iniallibility of the Pope, Yesterday we celebrated the feest of a great Pope, who, though he lived in the days of bidod and persecution, has left his name firmly stamped on the pages of history. Lt was the great St. Syl- vester, Wi0 in his Legate Hostus Cordubensis pro- claimed in the first council at Nice the dogma of the divinity of Christ, A. D. 325, like Pius | emerged from the Catacombs. What a splendid sight to see the spouse of Carist under the cherish- ing influence of St. Sylvester shedding the light of Christianity on the crown of Vonstantine, Pius IX., 10 our time, he in his days confirmed his brethren. I glory im hearing bis name because it 18 associated with the emancipation of the Churen, with the promuigation of Christ’s divin- ity, with the exaltation of his representative, with the commencement of the triumph of His kingdom on earth. He was a glorious predecessor ol Pius 1X. Let us imitate his virtues, and with | the armor of truth and justice we shall conquer the world, assure the triumpti of the Church and reign forever with Jesus Christ. That truth, Jus- tice and charity toward all men may reign in your hearts to-day and every day of the year Is the sin- cere wish of my heart. MR. BEECIIER’S NEW YEAR'S. The numver of callers on fleary Ward Beecher, yesterday, was between 1,000 and 1,100, an ex- cess over last year of nbout a third, There were | several interesting incidents In connection with these calls, teacher irom “the Bethel” introduced to Mr. Beecher a Class of 135 young men, and ds tney would not be sausiled wth one “handshake,” Mr. Beecher liad to go through the d grip 275 times with this party only. Many minent citizens culled to wish Mr. Beecher a happy New Year, and amoug these were many who until this year had not made a New Year’s cali upon him, IN WESTCHESTER. Throughout Westchester county the day was spent very quietly, the citizens generaily pre- ferring to inaugurate the new year by partaking of good cheer at home than to incur the biting cold without, while endeavoring to keep up the custom of “making calls.” Divine services were held in nearly all of the churehes during the early portion of the day, although for the most part the worshippers were unusually few, for which cir- cumstance, doubtless, the clerk of the weather was mainly responsible. At alloi the pubiic institu- tions—embracing the Catholic Protectory, the Poorhouse and County Jaii—the inmates were regaled with generous fare, besides being atforded unusual opportunities for recreation and enjoy- meant. IN SING SING PRISON the mate convicts were allowed to parvicipate in @ Vocal and instrumentai concert, given in the Spacious chapel by a corps of their icllow prison- ers, who proved themseles fully adequate to the task of entertaining a large if not very distn- guished audience, At the conclasion oi the mu- sical exercises the men were. marched back to their celia, each one taking with him to his soli- tude a substantial dinner as an additional re- minder of the festive occasion. ON STATEN ISLAND. New Year's Day was observed more generally than usual on Staten Island, The festivities were commenced on New Year’s Eve, there being a number of surprise parties and other sociable events in the different villages. The independent Social Club had a grand dress ball at the Pavilion Hotel, New Brighton, at which over 200 couples sat down to suppor. Many of the public saloons were kept open until the beginning of the new year, when cannon and guns were fired, veils Were rung, steam wihisties were sounded and horns were blown, the din being kept up until daylight. Calls were quite general, and there was much drinking throughout the day. Early masses were celebrated in the Roman Catholic churches, The boys had excellent skating, and everyboay who could afford tt haa a Arnon | dinner, ‘The pubd- lic institutions were ail suppiied with New Year's necessities, and the children at the County Poor- house and the Child’s Nursery, at Four Corners, were well provided for by the superintendents, The Seamen’s Retreat and the Sailors’ Snug Har- bor were also well provided, IN NEW JERSEY. + The chief features of the celebration of the day were the religious services heid in the Roman @atholic and Protestant Eptscopal churches, In St. Mary’s Roman Catholic church, Hoboken, and in most of the Catholto edifices low masses were offered at six Ana Cight o’clock in the morning and high masses at nine, The musical selections seemed to be special and the efforts of the choristors fully equal to those thi [ gusfom of maxing ize the ceremonies on more solemn fe! galls wae not much observed At the Capitoline | the reverand gentieman, Catholics enjoy especial | He was infallible | X, Under his pontificate the Church | 2, 1875, OPERA IN MUNICH. A New German Qpera—“The Heir of Morley.” A Musical Romance a la Miss Braddon or Tichborne, Sketch of the Life of Franz von Holste Mvnicu, Dec, 3, 1874. The appearance of a new opera in Germany upor any of the great court stages 1s sure to cause con- siderable excitement and interest. Operatic life in Germany has of late years become a sort of musical warfare, especially since Kicaara Wagner came in with his grand revointionary ideas and gave a new direction to German operatic art, Tnough Wagner has founded no true school of dis- ciples, his infuence is undoubtedly paramount in Germany; but those modern composers who have So far endeavored to follow the path he cut out have proved to be simply imttators—ithat 18, they have copied his method with- out understanding his principles. Very re- centiy Wendelin Weissheimer, Kapellmeister in Cassel, made an attemps in bis “Theodore Koerner” to produce an opera in the Wagnerian manner, but thereby he deprived him- self of all originality, and Wagner stands, 80 far, with his style, alone and unapproachable. Never- theless, his grand harmonic structures have an influence upon modern German composers as far reaching a8 had the music of Haydn, Mozart, Bees- hoven and Weber upon thetr contemporaries. A NEW GERMAN OPERA COMPOSER. We see this influence very plainly in the works of aGerman composer, whose two operas, ‘The Hatdeschacnt” and “The Heir of Morley,” have, within a few months, gained considerable reputa- tion in Germany. Not that Franz von Holstein can compete with Wagner in the stightest de- gree, but he has produced operas which have a thoroughly German character, and, like the Wagnerian creations, are set to music throughout, and are carried along smoothly without tne aid of the annoying dialogue by which nearly all pre-Wagnerian and Frenoh operatic composers uave usually helped them- selves out. Hoistein’s first opera, the “Hide- schacht,"” is immensely popular in some of the provincial towns. In Frankfort it has been kept in the répertotre for several weeks in succession, while in Munich it was withdrawn after a few performances. The composer, who writes bis own texts, found a very attractive subject for his opera, taken from an old Northern legend—a sub- ject which has attracted such poets as Hoffmann, Oehlenschiger, Rickert and others. I- need not enter inte a description of this opera, since 1t has been beiore the public now for some years. Holstein shows himself in this frst work as possessing thorough technical knowledge of music, but still lacking originality, wavering between the byper-progressive direction of Wagner and the more conservative tendency of Sponr and his epigones. ‘Tie Heir of Morley’ is generally admitted to be an improvement on ‘the Haidescuacht,” still showing the same lack o¢ origivality, but deserving the esteem of musicians ana opera goers. Holstein’s life and musicai de- velopment is exceedingly interesting, the story of which may serve a8 af encouragement to young composers. A MUSICAL SOLDIER, Franz von Hoistein is a disciple of Moritz Raupt- mann, whose instruction he enjoyed irom the year 18530n, He was born in Brunswick on the lov of February, 1826. His father was @n officer in the ducal army, and intended that his son should follow the military profession. Young Frauz was born With a love Of music; be visited the theatre and opera of his uative city; played the piano a little; and at the age of fourteen Legau to con- coct an opera, When fifteen years old he entered the cadet corps at Brunswick. In 1845 he became @n oiicer. During his Cadetship he had written a all opera entitled “Iwo Nights in Venice,” which was periormed by his friends at family gath- erings, ‘Then he removed to Leipsic, When he de- termined to tuke instruction ip piano and tn musi- cal composition. But the 1848 trouble aud she Schieswig-Hoistein campaign took bim away from his studies, though during his military experiences at that time he was working on @ large live act opera, the text of which he had got {from Walter Scott's “Waverley.” In 1852, then adjutant o1 a battalion of landwehr, he was sent w Leesen, in the Hartz Mountains, where he found suillcient leisure to work on his opera, aud came to the determination of devoting hts lle entirely to music, He asked permission irom his tather vo renounce the military career, wich was prom- jgea on the condition that ne shoud frat lave the judgment of some good musical composer as to his talent, and if he were justified tn taking the step proposed, So a selection was made. Moritz Hauptmann was to decide upon the young oficer’s musical abilities, Holstein took Nis big partitur to Hauptmann, who promised to give 16 careful study and to give impartial judgment Hauptmann’s Opinion Was favorabie to the young n’s Wishes. In 1853 Holstein received an hon- orable discharge irom the military and went to Leipsic, where, at Hauptmann’s suggestion he was received in the Conservatory of Music. Besides his theoretical and technical studies be composed walle there some quartets, a concert overture, &c. In the following year he returned 10 his native city; 1n 1856 Le took up his residence at Leipsic. In the following years he suffereu greatly from ill health, writing noching except concert music; and it was only alcer he had reached bis fortieth year, when nis health was restored, that he interested him- | self again for dramatic music. The first fruit of this renewed activity was the opera “Haides- chacht,” which was first periormed at Dresden in 1868. This work belongs now to sixteen Gerinan theatres, ley,” was first performed at Leipsic on the 23d of January, 1872, then at Weimar in April, 1874, and at Munich Orst a few weeks ago. THE NEW OPERA, “The Heir of Moricy” promises to become popu- lar in Germany, although the subject of the opera 18 poorly chosen and the music composed aimost entirely of remimiscences. The action of the drama takes place a few years aiter the taking of Gibraltar by the English. The persons of the opera are:—Lady Suraa Morley, Eveline, her granddaughter (respectively mother and daughter of the late Lord Morley) ; Viscount Godolphin, cousin of the deceased lord; Lydia Thompson, a young widow; William Seyton, advocate; Charles, & marine ofMicer; Ailan, an old servant of servants, hunting party, Constabies, jarmers and laborers. Moriey House 1s supposed to be au es- tace in the North of England. Viscount Godolphin ig to come in possession of the Morley amily es- tates on a certain day, unless the eldest son of Lord Morley, Charies, Who has not been heard of since the battle of Gibraltar, should revuro. In the first act we find ourselves tn (ront of an old English hall, The servants are clamoring for payment, and old Allan, the family but- ler, who belongs as much to the estate as the house cat, tries to pacify them, and tells them that at noon Of the following day Sir Godoi- phin will be their new master, which they reluse to believe. Eveline and her grandmother, Lady sarah, occupy the next scene; then comes Sir Go- Rus second opera, “Tne Heir of Mor- | Lady Sarah; Blacksvone, judge; then | } dolphin, Who appears to act as if already in full | oxsession. Then we are made acquainted with dia Thumpson, & beautiful young widow, and a young advocate named Wiliam Seyton, though What business the couple has to do with the operal cannot say. William has the luterest of the dispossessed family intrusted to him; be makes love to Lydia and accomplisies notn- ing in a legal way, though be. sings well, and endeavors to make some fun. Wiliam is sent away by Lydia to fetch her toilet apparatus. Then Lydia and Eveline sing together awhile, when, suddenly, the form oi a handsome youug naval officer (ciad in ared coat) appears outside the park railings. He sees the evo Rone lauies, falls in love and jumps over the railings, to flud the ladies gone and himself in tne presence of Sir Godolphin, who, believing the young man to be the lost sit Charlie, enuces him into the hall and locks him up iN an unused suit of apartments in one wing of the mansion. In the second act sir Godolphin comes to the hall with a hunting party, and during the revelry old Allan comes in and asks Sir Godoiphin if he has not seen Sir Chartie, He had seen bim Climb over the park ratitogs; he was sure tne young tord had returned home. So the story goes on. All the family meet thé supposea Sir Ohare; the mother recognizes him as her gon, the sister as her brother, os Aliana his Pibge Reet and even e farmers of the estate come With bagpipes to greet the lost young laird, nd THE OPERATIC TICHBORNE. Though the (outs marine officer's name is Charite too, still he is not the real Sir Charlie, but the son of @ daughter of Lady Sarah, who made a mesalliance in early life and was not acknowl- edged by the family. fle had taken part im the taking of 3 he bad been Sir Charlie's constant companion, and had seen him mortally wounded, and had received from him ev book with the request to take the news of his death to Morley Hall. After permitting bimsetf to be greeted as the lost Sir Charlie he finally ex- tricates himself trom the dilemma and tells who ~. is and ali about the true Sir Oharite’s During this time Sir Godolphin has been busy with Jud; Blackstone all sorts of evil desgna to get sup Chariie out of the way; they ares 16 Wrong Man, Wilham, boa AA ar ir Godoiphin burns @ codicil to the late lord’s will, and he has @ host of polivemen at bia beck who give usa Weak Unk tation of the conspirators’ chorus in “Ia Fille de Madame Angot.” Finally, when Sir Godophin is about to take possession, the real Sir Charlie re- ps home With bis young Spanish wife, and Sir Fre folphin and Mr. Blacksyon¢ aud the policemen have to make a rapid exit. The subject, as you see, 8 & Very Wretched one—nothing more than & concoction of modern, Englisy novels, seasoned with Tichborne sauce. ihe magic would be considered excellent if one had not heard other operas, The vorces are treated happily; the ensembles are effective; the instru- mentation throughout leaves little or nothing to be desired. Yet we are painfully reminded at every step how much Hoistein bas taken from other composers. We hear reminiscences from the “Huguenots,” the “White Lady,” “Flying Duten- man,” “Lolengrin,” “Waffenschmied,” even to Martin's “Cosa Kara.” He seems to have the greatest diMcuty in avoiding “Lohengrin? bong when in one place Kveline is praying thas God wilk preserve her brother and bring him home in good Ume before Sir Godolphin takes possession, we imagine for A moment that she is going to sing Elsa’s beautiful “Lonely in days of sorrow.” Very charming fs this music in Eisa’s mouth; very” provoking in the mouth of the heroine of & modern English romance. And yes the opera, taken as @ whole, 18 very pleasing, A. quintet ip the fiftn scene of the second act, sung by Eveline, Lydia, Lady Sarah, William and Allan, is acharming composition, and the chess scene that follows is full oflife and beauty, Whetuer these, are original or not [cannot say, Any ray, ten are charming. It isto be regretted that Holstetm should have chosen such a ridiculous subject for his opera. None but an English dowager can be supposed to take much interest in the fate of am old family estate. Why not have taken the trae Koger at once, and given us the “Heir of borne” instead of the “Heir of Morley,” with Onte: Justice Cockburn and Sir Roger, alias Artnar Or-- ton, a8 bassists, Kenealy and the Melbourne lawe yer as tenors, and Sal of Wapping as sopran With chorus of bushwhackers, spectators, lawy in the Old Bailey and Wapping butchers? NEW YORK CITY. A fire in the fancy goods store of Mary Or atricner, No. 178 Chrystie street, last evening, caused damage to the extent of $800, Abraham Vandenberg, of Haverstraw, fell over= board from the tugboat Seth Lowe last evening. and was drowned. The body was not recovered. Leonard Batherneso, of Ne. 116 Suffolk street, accidentally shot himself in the leit hand while playing With @ pistol last evening, The wound is an Austrian sailor, Was @ severe one. Morris Gormenitz, stabbed in the right shoulder yesterday alternoom in Madtson street by an unknown boy, who mad@ nis escape, Gormenitz was taken to the Park Hospitai. Michael Vlafferty and James Brown qnarrelled last evening tm the haltway of their residence, No. 90 Catharine street, When Clafferty was stabbed in the breast with a knile, causmg an ugly Wounds Brown was placed uncer arrest, An officer of the Iiiteenth precinct found John Brady, of No. 339 East Fifteenth street, yesterday afternoon, bieeding freely from a wound im his head. As he was drunk, it is supposed he had falien and struck his head against a stone. His wound was dressed and then Jobn was locked up,. ‘The proceeds of the concert to be given at Stein« way Halt to-day are to enable the trustees of tha “Peabody Home” to take a larger buiiding next spring for the accommodation of the numerous applicants. The home is non-sectarian, and it ig the Intention of the trustees to make it free, Tha ball will be perfumed on this occasion with the “Wenck perfume.” Terence O’Connor, of No. 43 Mulberry street, and-Thomas Wallace, of No. 179 Madison street, engaged in a drunken fight last evening at Wal< lace’s residence, the result being that O'Connor was stabbed in the cheek, neck, chin and side with asmall pocket knife. None of the woun were of a serious nature. Wallace was arrested’ and locked up in the Seventh precinct station house. Henry Vollinger and John Merz began the-year very badly. Trinity’s chimes of joy were still ring- ing in tle night air when they quarrelled. Mera had some trouble to pass through the door of Vole linger’s beer saloon, No, 682 Ninth avenue, 80 Vole linger helped him through with a vicious shove. The reguits are that Merz spent New Year’s Day im Bellevue Hospital, his right foot very, badly fri tured, and Vollinger found himself im a cell in ¢I ‘Twenty-second precinct station house, BROOKLYN. At an early hour yesterday morning a dispute arose between @ party of men who were drinking in the lager beer saloon of H. Schmidt, on Busn- wick avenue, Hrooklyn, when John Cohns was stabbed by Some person unknown In the head with & penknife. He was attended by Dr. Ftte- whee The wjured man resided at No, 772 Broad= ay. LONG ISLAND. About forty persons have been converted during @revivalin the Methodist congregation at Wash~ ington Square, town of Hempstead, and there ts @ movement for the construction of a new church, Sheriff Sammis is making preparations for the | execution of Lewis Jarvis and Elbert Jackson, the | Murderers of Samacl J. Jones, at South Oyster Bay, to take place on the 15th inst. The gallows for the occasion is to be borrowed trom New York, and will a proba be erected in the jail era on the east side of the Court House. Jarvis does not atall like the idea of beng hanged, and for some time has refused to take any food, saying that he preiers to starve himself to death. WESTCHESTER. A religious revival among the Methodists of Irvington has been in progress for some days past and a numver of converstons are reported. It is estimated that the Compulsory Education law will reduce the number of operatives in nearly all of the Yonkers factories by compeiling those of tender age wo attend the public schools, In order to prevent, if possible, a recurrence of the disastrous fires (rom which Sing Sing has re- cently suffered, that village is now being supplied with street reservoirs of suficient capacity to war- rant a feeling ol comparative security from the fire fiend. ; Many people residing in the upper portion of the county are at present complaining of being almost Mterally overran by that wandering class of the human family known as “tramps.” Among many other acts of anuoyance to the ruratists these pests often avail themselves of the absence of the male members of the househoid to terrify the femates of the family into compliance with their insolent demands for delicacies and money. At Yonkers the problem of a water supply still remains unsolved. The Board of Water Commis sioners, at their last mecting, unanimously disap- proved ot the experts (composed of a chemist and an engineer) named by the Citizens’ Commit- tee to vest the purity of the water proposed to be mtroduced from the Grassy Sprain Brook. Mean- time the Supreme Court, in pursuance of the ac has appointed Commissioners of Estimate an Assessment for a reservoir site near the rivulet above mentioned, The destitution among the poor in many por- tions of the eounty just now can scarcely be ex- aggerated. At West Farms an industrious laborer named Rae was compelled a day or two since to place his two infant children in the hands of Jus- tice Wheeler for support, owing to m3 utter in- ability to provide jor them, The little ones were scoortingly sent to the Catholic Protectory. At Yonkers paupers have been known to beg suM- cient mouey Wherewith to become intoxicated, ta the end that they might be “picked up” by the police and sent to the County Jalil dumng the win- ter months. STATEN ISLAND, Yesterday morning both the lower and upper bays were sheeted over with ice, the first time vhis season, The Staten Island Quartet Club have clected the following oMcers for 1875:—President, Jultus Credo; Vice President, Carl Hackmann; Financial Secretary, sonn F, de Planque; Corresponding Secretary, Louts Albrecht; Treasurer, Loy | Pott- oft “The club room is at Getzer's Hotel, Staple- ‘The Board of Supervisors of Richmond county have made the appropriations for 1875, agaregat- img $206,125 83, Of this eum $61,327 is for interes= on the county bonds and $29,800 for the principaB of bonds due in 1875. The State tax for 1874s ae 92, The appropriation for pohce is At a social party Jast evening in Boyden, be tween Nassau and State streets, Newark, Mra, Brogan fell out out of @ second story to maewalk Ww, sustaining severe injuries, = DEPARTURE OF PAULIST MISSION. ARIES, On January 16, six fathers of the congregation of St, Paul—Rev, George Deshan, Rey. J. Bodfisn, Rev. W. Dwyer, Rev. A. Rosecrans, Rey. Eas Wie Gdn —————Ea