The New York Herald Newspaper, December 25, 1875, Page 3

NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1875—WITH SUPPLEMENT. 3 CHRISTMAS. Final Purchases and Preparations for the Festival. DECORATIONS IN THE CHURCHES. Religions and Social Observances of the Bay in City and Vicinity. THE DAY IN THE THEATRES. 1t could bardly be said that last evening as a Christ- mas Eve was conducive to cheerfulness, or that the weather was provocative of outdoor exercise, yet amid the rain and through the muddy, slippery strects trudged thousands of fatbera and mothers in quost of presents for the little ones at home, They swarmed around shop windows and gazed critically at the treasures displayed therein, sauntering as leisurely slong ag though it were a starry night in midsummer. To those of limited means the choosing of a Christmas gift is by no means an easy task. Poverty struggles with inclination, the instincts of the parent and the shallowness of the purse are at war, and the fond father or mother gazes at some ingenious toy or game, thinks of the happiness its possession would give to a beloved child, and turns away with a sigh and & feeling of depression as the fact comes keenly home ‘hat the price of the glittering gewgaw cannot be af- forded. Luckily novelty, and not cost, is what child- hood most prizes, and, whether in the tenement house or in the luxurious mansion, the little eyes that open this morning to the ownership of the gifts that Santa Claus has brought them beam with unalloyed delight at tho sight of their new possessions. They are theirs, and that bare fact is all-sufficient. They would hardly change them for a prince’s ransom. It is only with children of a iarger growth that envy and in- Vidious comparison begin. With the dawn of light this morning thousands of little feet went pattering over bare floor or piled carpet toward the chimneypiece, where hung the traditional stocking filled from the inexhaustible basket of the jolly saint, no less dear to modern juvenile New York than to the children of the primitive Knickerbockers, Age cannot wither ‘him’? Nor custom stale’ ‘his’ infinite variety. It he was beloved by the descendants of the first set- Uers on our island he is no less revered by the children of the motley population now resident here. He is par excellence tho patron saint of the young, and he who is loved by the young can never die, The same bells that ring in Yuletide this morning willchime*in the next anniversary of the day over a rounded century of independance and progress such as the world never saw before, There is misery here and distress tbis winter, God knows, bat the nation has passed through many amore bitter crisis, and our city in its earlier bistory has wearied through Christmas after Christmas, when the loudest in rejoicing at the coming of the holy time were the insolent invaders, who held high wassail in the conquered town and drank to the speedy coming of the day when the revolted provinces should lie once more submissive at the feet of royalty. Our fathers lived through their humiliation and came out of the struggle triumphant. May our hundredth Christ- mas of freedom find the clouds of care that now hover over us cleared away and the sunshine of prosperity beaming upon a bappier people. IN THE MABKETS. As usual at this holiday time the markets of the city were replete with good things. A visitor to Washing- ton, to Clinton, to Centre, to Pulton and to other markets alike revealed the same condition of affairs, Lovg rows of plump turkeys, huge piles of ducks, geese and game mot the eye at every bana, Here and there rows of beef and of mutton and oflamb gave token of feasting and of pleasure. ‘The butter merchants displayed tempting wares, and amid their yellow treasures of the dairy were huge mounds of cheese, Near by the oyster venders kept up a merry tuno by the rapid chink and chink of their knives as they opened the bivalves and threw them by dexterous motion into the bowls before them. The fishmongers, forgetting that it wus holiday time, displayed upon their marble slabs many a finny prize, and oft a purchaser intent upon turkey and stuff- ing, fell back upon salmon and haddock in sheer despair at the wondrous display of good things before them. ‘And so it went on during the livelong day. People wandered through the markets and made their pur- chases, solely with a view to secure enjoyment for the morrow, To be sure, THE TRADITIONAL TURKEY CARRIRD THE DAY, Dut many a goose anda fat duck found its way to the baskets of those only intent to secure an appetizing re- past for the holiday of all holidays. But tt was in the environs of the market that Christmas tide and time gamed visible attribute and surrounding. On every street contiguons to the several markets ambitious venders gathered to themselves huge mounds of evergreens in the shape of trees from the Catskill Mountains, the sandy plains of New Jersey and the rocky crags and glens of Western New York. Auid ali this wealth of wintry verdure were piled up huge heaps of crosses, stars, wreaths and garlands, manufactured from the resinous tributes of the cedar, he pine ana the hemlock. AS i to give diversity to all this holiday decoration were found tho holly from Virginra, the laurel from Maryland, the cypress from the Carolinag Here and there the fastidious found the weeping moss {rom Louisiana, the pearl gray fes- toons of oak from New Jersey and the bright green fern from Florida. The wintergreen berry and leaf, the ground laurel and the bright red berry of the holly gave vivid relief to the mass of green fuliage 80 com- mon and 80 DEAR TO THE NORTHERN HEART. With all this wealth of the Northern woods those sceking decoration apposite to the Christinas time were sorely bewildered by tbe diversity of the object and the ingenuity of thoee who bad prepared the holiday dress, To one who wandered about the market the sight was a pleasant one, hundreds and thousands wandered to and fro and made the scene a busy one. Many & basket already filled was heaped up by the happy holders with new treasures as they saw some new token appropriate to the festival which all Chris. tians, Whatever their creed might be, sought to honor andenjoy. Happy hearts and happy faces were every- where to be seen, although, as an ‘alloy to the pure gold and righteous fecling of this, the Christmas time, there were to be seen wan faces and hollow eyes, the ossessors of which were unhappily unable to satisfy eir craving for the beautiful and the substant Rich and poor elbowed each other, and while the former recked not ot the cost nor the extent of their purchases, there were many who counted their pen- nies before venturing upon the purchase of some trifle that would add to the beauty and holiday appearance of | their poor homes, But, remembering the example set by Him whose natal day all songht to honor and to cherish, each purchaser gave according to big means to celebrate the day that gave to the world a new epoch and a fresh guarantee of the love of the Lord for His people upon earth. None seemed to forget that nearly nineteen hundred ys ago a Saviour was borp upon the morrow to the multitude of sinners upon earth, and none scemed to forget that @ ‘babe was born in Bethlehem, and manger, as @ new hope and treasure climes of mother 1,876 vears age swaddled in Ul for the people of all nations and al earth. Thewords uttered to the plains of Gulilee by the an, shepherds aud the wise men of the East, “Good will and to all men” seemed vo reign in all hearts, and it was pleasing lo notice that in (hese aays of everyday life the sam pid traditional feeling of religious solemnity pervaded every heart and brightened sr face. Truly, this holi- day Christmas time, a8 evin last night, told the samo old simple story of Christian faith and Christian bambleness, The day upon which the Saviour was born was tobe celebrated and observed in a Christian and simple manner. @ spirit of Santa Claus, coming as it did from the Hartz Mountains, the gions and the valleys of Germany, extended jts influence to the streets, the alleys and by- ways of Manhattan Island. Amid the Belgian, the Ruse and the cobble stone pavements the green and fresh memories of Christmastide flourished like a green bay tree, and iD @ cosmopolitan city like th: wonderful to see the mistletoe of old Englai and the fern from the rocky glens of N York and the Hudson, mingl the commoner Yieldings of nature in the new Continent, So it was, go it will be, we trust, for all time. The yale Jog and the Christmas tree alike find a home in ‘the New World; and as years roll on aud the American attributes of adhesion and absorption are dis- played, so it will be that this fair lana will seize Upon and use every outward attribute of the holi- k to honor and enjoy. ence ee lays, was yesterday prepared for by thou- thousands, accord: vo their means, y spent one dollar or handreds of dol- Jars, the same kindred feeling of Christian love and reverence was experienced by all. So mote it be antil ‘the end of time, A Saviour was born for the redemp- tion of sinners, and a new era for poor humanity was imangurated centuries ago, and yet the story of His fferings is as fresh and green as @ Amidst the th and angry struggle of politics, struggle of ereeds and the diversity of human belief, the legen! of the Saviour’s bith atands out ag clear and brian as it } | green’ entwine the front of the galleries and pillars | Peace, such as in the first cen! of the Christian epoch. In olde: the pats coed its service on the plains of Jera-: the New World the hemlock, the ) the day all madd) their baskets were heavy, and so the busy work of preparation went on in the tenement and the mansion, “and it recked not where the altar was raised, the feel- of the pedestrians were light a8 ing was the same. And #0 Christmas Kve passed on | and went out into eternity, and ushered in the day upon which Jesus first saw the light in far off | Palestine, He was born in’a litter of straw, bumble and | a beggar, yet He entered upon life to endure and to suffer. The mind of the wanderer among our markets went back to the stone manger in the stables of Bethie- | hem, and he saw the bright star that stood still to mark the natal day of the Son of God, and it was with | no want of reverence that, the chronicler of the modern times saw new beauty and fresh enjoyment amid the | mounds of hemlock, cedar and pine. DECORATIONS IN THE CHURCHES, The greatest festival in the year—Christmas Day— Will be observed in all the churches with decorative grandeur, music and prayer. The devotion of the peo- ple will express itself in these ways. The temples of religion will be as they never are except at this time. All that the loftiest aspirations of Christian holiness may suggest will be seen to-day. This, in short, is the day observed in commemora™ tion of the mystery of the incarnation and Jesus’ nativity at Bethlehem. It is the celebration of the beginning of man’s redemption and | the most memorable feast in the churches of the uni- verse that fly the banner of Christ, All nature is levied upon to contribute to its proper observance, and the finest attributes of civilization are drawn upon to glorify Him whois the author, the alpha and omega ofall glory. On this Christmas Day of 1875 the houses of worship and prayer the world over will wear their best dresses, AT 8ST, PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL the materials used consist mostly of crimson velvet, gold embroidered, heavy gold bullion, gold cloth, silver lama, natural flowers and Christmas greens. These will be disposed of in festoons and draperies on the | rear walls of the sanctuary and on such other parts of it as will add to the general effect of that part of the sacred edifice without interfering with the architectu- ral beauty of the building. The illuminations will be upon a very extensive scale, over six hundred jets Deing used to form a grand tracery of lights, which will embrace the whole extent of the sanctuary, from wall to walland from the floor to the ceiling, At vespers, at four P. M., it is expected that His Eminence, Cardi- nal MoCloskey, will assist. AT ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE’S. In the basement in Fifty-ninth street, near Ninth avenue, may be seen a beautiful representation of the cave at Bethichem. In it is a manger, wherein hes a representation of the imfapt Saviour, The Blessed Virgin and St, Joseph, In large figures, are near by; angels hover above them, and shepherds with their sheep and figures of the ox and ass complete the ptc- ture, in the arrangement of the figures the light and shade are effectively blended, the figures of the Virgin and child being brilliantly illuminated, while the others are seen only in a dim light. ST, STEPHEN'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, as heretofore at this time of year, will be decorated with evergreens and beautifully festooned. Itis one of the most fashionable of Roman Catholic churches in | this city, and has in its congregation young ladies of means and devotion who will gee that the purposes of the occasion are fullfilled. 87. ALRAN?S, once and ever known as Father Morel’s church, of the high ritualistic school, will be decorated in the chancel, altar and pulpit. Festoons of evergreens arch the chancel and its rails. The pulpit is trimmed with pines and ferns and the front panel has a centrepiece of au- tumn leaves. THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY is simply adorned with a few trees in the chancel, wreaths on the wails and festooned evergreens aroun the galleries. THE REYORMED EPISCOPAL CHURCH, on Madison avenue, is almost a perfect arbor. Wreaths of holly and. laurel border its arches, evergreens adorn its windows, the chancel rail is covered with pine and laurel and the chancel window is filled with little trees, overtopped by an evergreen star. Surmounting the communion table is the text, ‘Jesus Emmanuel; God with us;” and at the opposite end of the edifice the words ‘Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given,” 87. THOMAS’ CHURCH. The decorations at St. Thomas’ are very beautiful. For example, festoons adorn the pulpit, windows and rails, baskets of cut flowers will stand on the com- munion table, and large stands of growing plants will | be placed instae the outer altar rail The galleries, | decked with evergreens, have wreaths hung in the open paces, and the chapel pillars are twined with pine and laurel GRACE CHURCH is profusely decorated and tastefully adorned. Its pil- lars are enshronded with evergreens formed tn the shape of crosses and wreaths, and the chancel js set off ; by a Maltese cross of immortelies in the background, and floral crosses on cach side of the same kind The lectern and pulpit are trimmed with evergreens, and | lilies crown the font. TRINTT CHAPEL shows the tasteful handiwork of its lady attendants, and the pulpit and gas fixtures are trimmed neatly with evergreens. ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH, in Stuyvesant square, ws finely decorated. The galleries are covered with festoons of greens and holly and the | pulpit and font are overlaid with pine and holly. ST. MARK’S CHURCH, in Stuyvesant strect, is elegantly, and one might say — chastely, decked with laurels abd evergreens, The chancel and galleries are especially pretty. CHURCH OF THM INCARNATION. Thej reredos of the Church of the Incarnation has been ooned with elegant green wood emblems. Pine and laure! entwine the pillars, and hemlock devices bang between the windows and wails. ST. MARY THR VIRGIN. ‘This church, on Forty-fifth street, is a sort of sacred arbor. Over the porch ropes of beauteous dark green leaves enctrele the pillars and mark the outlines of the architecture, Rich beds of holly emboss the window sills; the walls are hung with white banners symboli- cally adorned and bordered with red and blue The chancel is almost a periect bow CALVARY CHURCH. Autumn leaves, evergreens, relieved by gold and crimson, add beauty to Calvary charch in Fourth ave- nue, near Twenty-first street, There is @ magniticent star of crimson, evergreen and gold on the wall behind the altar, THE CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION, Fifth avenue and Tenth street, is likewise suitably trimmed with evergreens, and the Church of the Trans- | figuration in Twenty-pinth street, near Fifth avenue, is festooned from the floor to the ceiling and around w pillars. The Houghton memorial window is richly adorned with flowers at its base, as is algo the altar, HOLY SAVIOUR. At the Church of the Holy Saviour, Twonty-fifth Street, near Madison avenue, massive ropes of ever- nd fir trees overshadow the chancel ZION OUURCH. As is customary with Zion church the decorations are superb, The pillars are festooned and encircled with evergreens, and trees are placed aroand the windows. The banners and mottoes are suggestive. On white Fiat in brilliant red are the words, “The Son of | jan,” “Holy Child, Jesus” “Light of the World,” ‘Desire of all Nations,” &o IN 8T, IGNATIUS’ CHURCH heavy trimmings of evergreen, a rustic screen across the chancel front and evergreen panels on the walls, bearing in golden characters the titles of tho Prince of “Counsellor,”” ‘‘Wonderfal,” &c., com- pleted tho adornments. THE CHURCH OF THE HEAVENLY REST is perhaps the most ornately attired in Christmas | greens of all the churches described. The decorations | were managed, and indeed completed, by three ladies of | the church, and thoy are done {a a most artistic man- ner. The body of the church has a few ferns about the illuminated panels, and wreaths at the bases and tals of the pillars. Bat itis in the chancel that the chef-@euvre is discovered. It isa sanctuary embow- ered in laurels, holly and pine. The font ts filled with ferns, and the choristers’ and clergymen’s stalls are rus- tic in appearance, leafy and gree fe oRee cute, too, corner of Henry and Scammell streets, is finely decorated, ST. JAMES’ CHURCH is literally draped with evergreens insiae. From every timber of the roof evergreens depend and at the right and left of the chancel are large rings enclosing the words “Alpha and Omega” The altarpiece is framed with evergreens. AT 8T. AXN'S CHURCH, Eighteenth street, near Fifth avenue, the central point ‘of tho chancel decorations 18 a cross with a double row of gas jete. This is placed over the altar and has a background of evergreens. On each side of this cross are appropriate mottoes, such as “The Prince of Peace,” &c. The chancel rai] is entwined with wreaths. There are banners and wreaths on the side walls of the church, Without any elaborate attempt at decoration the whole effect is pleasing and will glad- den many hearts, especially among the deaf mutes, The services on Christmas are:—Oelebration of the holy commanion at seven A. M., full service, with the holy communion, at half-past ten A. M., and evening prayer at six P.M. Aemany of the deaf mutes may not be able to be at church on Christmas Day they are eran invited to attend service and see the decora- tions on Sunday at a quarter to three P. M. This ser- vice will be conducted entirely in the sign language, bi will doubtless interest those who have all their fac- ulties, THR CHURCH OF THR HOLY CROSS, in West Forty-second street, is tastefully decorated, the high altar presenting a beautiful apy ince, hay- ing & profusion of candles and choice with a Jarge iNuminated cross suspended over the high altar, CHRISTMAS AT THE THEATRES, Wachtel sings in the “Postillon de Longjumeau” to, night at the Academy of Musio, “Casto” will bo the attraction at Wallack’s for the matinge and evening performances, “Pique” will be presented at the afternoon and even- ing entertainments to-day at the Fifth Avenue Theatre, “Rose Michel” will have its sixth matinée to-day at | festival last evening, at the close of which the annual | @ay evening of next week. the Union Square Theatre, and will also be presented in the evening. Mr, and Mra. Barney Williams appear for the last time to-day at Booth’s Theatre, matinée and evening, The Kaale Theatr, has @ aplendid bill for the two per, formanees to-day. Jennie Hughes will be the star in the Christmas pantomime. Sardou's “‘Seraphine”’ will be played to-night at the Lyceum Theatre. “The Siege of Paris,” a magnificent panorama of the Franco-Prussian war, and a terribly realistic picture of the “shooting of Archbishop Darboy and the hostages by the Communists,’ will be the attractions at the Colosseum, mornimg and evening. Joba F.’ Poole’s new pantomime, “Nimble Nip,” will be given with all 1s wonderful effects twice to-day. “The Crucible” will be represented at the Park The- atre to-day, alternoon and evening At the Comique to-day Miss Jennie Hughes will be the great attraction ae Colonel of the “Ainlature Sixty- pinth,’* Bireh and Backus will convulso audiences twice to- day at the San Francisco Minstrels. “Henry V.> will be the great attraction, matinée and evening, at the Brooklyn Theatre. Tony Pastor has engaged an immense company for the Metropolitan Theatre and Grand Opera House to- day, watinge and evening, Mr. Chanfrau appears at Wood’s Theatre to-day. Manager Butler presents a very attractive bill at the Globe this evening. The farce of “The Quiet Family,” selections from “Romeo and Juliet” and Herr Sehutze’s anusing repre- septations of various classes of humanity and magic illusions will afford ample entertainment this evening for old and young at the ew Masonic Temple, CHRISTMAS AT THE TOMBS, Christmas cheer enters even into the prison walls, and the Commissioners of Charities and Correction found in their charitable souls a way to benefit some of the people under their charge. Eight hundred pounds of poultry, twenty-six pounds of pork and a barrel of onions were sent to the Tombs yesterday by the Com- missioners, to make @ fricassee tor the 475 prisoners who are kept within the gloomy walls of justice, Warden Quino says that he will see for himself that each prisoner has enough, and as far as he (Warden Quinn) is concerned, no man shall have it to say thathe is neglected on Christmas Day, CHRISTMAS IN BROOKLYN. The streets of the City of Churches were thronged yesterday and far into the night by emissaries of Santa Claus, who depleted the stock of the Christmas empo- riums and inflated the exchequer of the dealers in wares for big and little folks, ‘The casual observer would never bave dreamed that hard times had fallen upon that community, so lavish was the expenditure appa- rent upon all sides, There was, in brief, joy uppermost in the popular heart, and the preparatious certainly be- speak a very general observance of the greatest festival in the Christian calendar, Last evening the Gypsy Queen Association, Elliott Association, Morning Star Council, No. 35, 0. U. A. M.; Letter Carriers? Association, Dramatic Amaryllis Asso- ciation and other festive’ organizations held their annual balls, all of which were wel! attended. There were also a large number of church festivals held, which were a source of great enjoyment to tho chil- dren, This morning first mass will bo celebrated at four o’clock at nearly all the Roman Catholic churches in the city, and masses will follow in quick succession till half-past ten o'clock in the forenoon. The choirs will put forth ther full strength in doing homage to the great event commem- orated. There will also be special services in the Episcopal, Methodist Episcopal and other Protestant churches. Collections will be taken up in all the Cath- olic churches to-day in aid of the orphans of Brooklyn. The inmates of St, Vincent’s Home for Boys, Poplar street, will be treated to a banquet of roast beef, fowl and pies. The Bay State Shoe Company will entertain their workmen —the 687 convicts in the Kings County Penitentiary—with turkey and other articles of diet foreign to that prison, At the jail the liberality of the Sheriff has provided extra rations of beef soup, to which even Pesach N. Rubenstein will be helped. CHRISTMAS IN WILLIAMSBURG, In the Eastern District of Brooklyn there ts scarcely achurch that has not purchased evergreens and flow- ers sufficient to give their auditorium the appearance of a conservatory during the day, and the religious exer. cises will include tho most elaborate music. In the latter the Catholic churches will be foremost, At the Charch of the Immaculate Conception Mozart’s Twelfth ‘Mass, with orchestral accompaniment, anda sermon by the pastor will comprise the forenoon exercises. At the Church «f Sts. Peter and Paul, Rev. Father Malone, Haydn’s Sixteenth Mass, under the direction of Mr, H. | P. Keens, will constitute the morning’s music, with | prelude, offertory and postlude of Mr, Keens’ own com- position. In the German Catholic churches the most elaborate ornamentation will mark the festival, full military bands accompanying the usual orchestras. Holy Trinity, on Montrose avenue, and the Church of the Annunciation, on Seventh street, take the lead in the musical portion of the programme. Of the Episcopal churches, Christ Church, on Bedford avenue, and Calvary church, on South Ninth street, are foremost, the ample means at the command of each enabling them to obtain the best talent and in a measure eclipse the less pretentious churches of their denominations, The Sabbath school of Christchurch enjoyed their | presents were distributed, This morning a fipe pro- | gramme of music will be offered, and the communion | will follow morning service. | Calvary church, under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Peck, has prepared an ‘elaborate musical programme, under the direction of Professor L. L. Parr, who wiil also con- duct the exercises at the children’s festival on Wednes- f the other denominations, at Dr. Porter's Reformed church, on Bedford avenue, the Sunday school festival took place last evening, the exorciges of Christmas Day being confined to the Mission school on Ninth street. The regular services take place on Sunday. The Church of Christian Endeavor, Lee avenue Baptist and the churches of Bowronville and Greenpoint will hold exercises to-day, but none save the Noble street Pres- byterian present a eaaee of special mention. ‘Allthe dancing halls are engaged, but none for a more laudable object than Turn Hall, 'which has been engaged by the Williamsburg Bonevolent Society for the presentation of a Santa Claus present to the ee of the district who cannot get it in another way. The various singing societies and citizens gonerally have contributed to enable the society to present to some 600 or more | children articles of clothing, candies and fruit to all such as noed them on Christmas Day, and ithas been the custom heretofore when the goods have run out to give monoy wherewith to purchase the articles re- luired. Any who may desire to help the enterprise forward can therefore still have an opportunity to do 80 by sending their mite toTurn Hall, on Meserole Street, up to noon on Christmas Day. IN JERSEY CITY. Great preparations have been made for the celebra- tion of the Christmas festival in Jersey City. Midnight masses were celebrated last night in all the Catholic ehurebes, which were thronged in spite of the inclem- ency of the weather. The solemuity of the services at the still hours of night was | enhanced by the profuse mantle of green which covered | the altars and pillars. Solemn mass was celebrated in the Church o1 Bt. Boniface by the Rev, Father Kraus, and at the conclusion the whole congregation arose and chanted the “Te Deum,” producing ® most striking effect. Solemn high masses will be celebrated in ali ‘the Cathohec churches at half-past ten o’clock this fore- | noon, In Grace church (Episcopal) a fine musical pro- gramme has been prepared, as follows:—Opening | anthem, “Hark the Herald,’ Mendelssohn; “Venite,” anthem, Danks; “Gloria ' Patria,” Millard; “Gloria Patria,” Ceruti; ‘e Deum,” Mercadante; ‘‘Jubi- late,” anthem, “And There Were | Shepherds,” Millard (new); hymn, “Shout the Glad Tidings,”’ harp accompaniment, Warren; ‘‘Responses,”’ Baumbach; ‘Litany Hymn;” offertory, alto solo. The choir consists of the following artist Mise E, Wreakes, soprano; Mra, Holbrook, contralto; Mr. Brooka, tenor, and George E. Merrill, basso. Organist and director, Louis Bergo, of New York. In St, Paul’s church, Jersey City Heights, the follow- ing programme will be carried out, under Professor W Beames:—Introduction, hymn 10, Barnby; “Venite,” eighth tone; “Te Deum,’”’ Dykes, in F; “Jubilate,” Smart, in F; anthem, recitation and chorus, ‘There Were Shephi ” Messiah; ‘Kyrie EBleison,’ Schubert, in E flat; “Gloria Tibi,” Smart, in F; hymn 11, Mendelssohn ; ascription, “Gloria,” ‘Twelfth 5 Mozart; offertory, “Cantique de Nodl,” Adam; ‘Tu Sanctus,” Novello, m E flat; hymo 209; ‘Gloria in Ex- celais,” chant. Among the amusements of the day wil! be trotting at West Side Park, followed by a fox hunt, A fine day's sport is anticipated. The Jersey City Curling Club will play at the Rink in Lafayette in the forenoon, if the weather permits, THE ARCADIAN CHRISTMAS. At the Arcadian Club last evening the Christmas fes- tival was anticipated by avery pleasant informal re- union. The time was spent in the most agreeable manner, with pleasant chats, recitations and excellent music, A large number of guests, in addition to the | members present, swelled the company, and gave life and variety to the entertainment. This way of spend. ing Christmas Eve proved entirely satisfactory. CHRISTMAS AT THE NORMAL COL- LEGE. The Christmas entertainment of the Normal College took place yesterday morning before a crammed gal- Jery of spectators, Leading the programme was a chant by the students, sung by about 1,300 young ladies, which was very impressive, followed by reading of the Bible, a hymn, some quotations read by members of the fifth duet and # humorous address by Pfesident Hunter in rhyme. A double duet by Misses Kyle, Woodgate, Vail and Kirk, which followed, received great applause, Commissioner Wood next made a short address, in which he touched on the ob- servation of Christmas in @ Scotch college in which he spent # year, and wound up with wishing to every ono & merry Christmas. A vocal solo by Miss Carolan was very well received. Miss Madden recited admirably ‘The New Church Organ.’ ‘Moonlight on the Lake” was finely sung by a Ne wartet, The crowning glory of 1 iy was “The al of Troy,” a farce written for the occasion Miss Nollie Cone.’ Among the dramatis personae was ‘rai, a zealous HeRaLp reporter, The piece was perform by the members of the Alpha Beta Gamma Society. All were greatly delighted with the entertainment monk Ly BROTHER. JONATHAN'S: LEVEE, Where Santa Claus Spent THis Christmas Morn. OLD INDEPENDENCE HALL. How He Saw the Past, Present and Future of America. ‘IT WAS NOT ALL A DREAM.” For the first time in many years—perhaps for the first time in history—Santa Claus changed bis plana last night, and instead of travelling all over Christen- dom, as was bis wont, he left the giving of good gifts to children to others, circular letter which he issued some time ago:— To My Coanserors Aut Over THE Worun:— Tam under special engagement with Brother Jonathan to attend bis le’ at Independence Hall, in the city of Philadelphia (America), on Christmas Eve. 1 there- fore call upon ull my inends and the friends of the little ones to relieve meas faras possible trom my ordinary Christmas duties; especially do 1 command my coadjutors who bave wrought with ine so well in the past not to forget the poor children to whom Christ- mas is the brightest day of the year when a little fore- thought is employed to make them happy. SANTA CLAUS. A copy of this letter was sent to the Henaup in order to give us notice of Brother Jonathan’s levée and enable us to send a reporter to witness and report the scene. When the Heratp representative arrived at the old State House in Philadelphia he found everything in the building exactly as it was 100 years ago, while {t was occupied by the Continental Congress. It was im- possible to look at the old building standing now nearly as it stood in 1775, and not feel with the poet— This is tho sacred tane wherein assembled ‘The fearless champions on the side of Right; Men at whoge declaration empires trembled, Moved by the truth’s immortal might. ‘The Hall of Independence was opened for the mystic celebration and the reception of the mystic guests, The changes which man and time have wrought are few, but as wo said before, even these were restored, and the Independence Hall of which we speak was tho Independence Hall of 1776. In this venerated chamber, sacred to memory and patriotism, sat Santa Claus and Brother Jonathan, conversing of the past, the present and the future, Surrounded by a hundred relics of the Revolution and oven seated in John Hancock’s chair, Jonathan’s complacency was only equalled by his volu- bility. Bringing down his huge fists upon the arms of the old chair, he said, ‘Hancock was always a great favorite with me, Mr. Claus. Hancock was a gentle- man; if you don’t think so all you have to do 1s to look at his handwriting. Nobody but a gentloman could sign his name asJohn Hancock signed his to the Decla- ration of Independence.” “If you are right, Jonathan,” answered Santa Claus, “poor old Stephen Hopkins must hold a low place in your estimation.’? ‘Not at all,” said Jonathan. ‘After Hancock, Hop- kins has always been my special pet. There is marked individuality in his signature, Washington’s sign manual is another of which Iam very proud, because it shows the evenness of his temperament and his patriotism. But these things can interest you but very little, Mr. Claus. It was not to talk of such trifles that I asked you to come here to-night, but.to point out to you the growth and grandeur of my country, and ask you to assiat me in celebrating its Centennial in a quiet way.?? “I am much obliged to you for this kind invitation,” responded Santa Claus, “and have in part devolved my Christmas duties upon others in order that I might ac- cept it, Ise there is a reporter of the Henaup here; but there is nothing remarkable in that, since it is pro- verbial that there is a Hsxaup commissioner every- where, In my annual tours! find them all over tho world. But are there to be no other guests 7” “Plenty of them, Mr, Claus, Pleasant as it would be on a nightlike this to enjoy the feast of congratulation all to ourselves, it would not be fair treatment of the rest of the world. A great company will be here by and by, but 1 took care that you should be the first to come, as you shall be the last to go, because on Christ- mas Eve you are the accepted ruler of all Christian countries Even in a republic, my friend, wo respect the king of the hour. At this Santa Claus laughed heartily, and Brother Jonathan poked his fingers into the ribs of the Christ- mag saint and familiarly stroked Mr. Claus’ beard in a style which nobody except Commodore Tooker could surpass, Just then the old bell on the State House sent forth a merry peal and a halo of glory was shed all over the hall. The Continental Congress was in session once more, John Hancock occupied the chair. Every member was in his seat, Over all the Genius of Ameri- can Liberty seemed to float as in a sea of hgbt, Santa Claus took off his cap to her and greeted her as Dame Columbia, while even Jona- than was abashed and silent. In the backgrounda succession of pictures came and went, the changing scenes following each other with the rapidity of a panorama of fairy land in atheatreo, Christopher Columbus revealed himself, and every eye saw a vision of the New World, Three Spanish galleons were riding at anchor tn the phosphorescent waters of the tropics; John and Sebastian Cabot were seen sailing the Northern seas; De Soto was paddling the mighty. Mississippi; off Manabatta was the clumsy vessel which brought Hendrick Hudson to the river which bears his name; Sir Walter Raleigh showed himselt for an instant in pride and honor; Powhatan looked with hate upon the infant settlement at Jamestown; Plymouth Rock afforded a foothold for the landing of the Pil- grims; Lord Baltimore and William Penn stood side by side and seemed to say, “Let us go up and possess the land.” Quickly these pictures faded and then there were visions of unbroken forests covered wiih snow and peopled by savages, thick as tho leaves of summer, A settler’s hut was seen here and there on the edges of the wood, and occasional corn fields heralded the advance of civilization. Then came the irruption of the natives into peaceful settle- ments; the slaughter of the innocents in many an un- guarded home; the wars with the French and Indians and the struggles with selfish and tyrannical Governors. Soon, too, these visions changed, and it was plain that a new era was about to dawn Patrick Henry was speaking immortal words in the Vir- ginia House of Delegates. John Hancock and John and Samuel Adams were fostering the spirit of opposition in Massachusetts, The destruction of the tea in Boston Harbor was quickly followed by the Boston massacre, Paul Revere was seen riding from Cambridge to Lexington on that glorious morning when the grenadiers marched to destroy the stores at Concord, and the yeomanry of New England ‘fired the shot heard round the world’? Ethan Allen was accomplishing bis marvellous feat of arms at Fort Ticonderoga and Bunker Hill was gleaming with shot and shell in the sunlight Washington was taking command of the army under the old oak at Cambridge, and Congress stood up as in Trumbull’s picture to sign the great Declaration. Out of this came the most wonderful pictures of all—pictures of war and peace, pictures of fields of battle and of fields of corn; pic- tures of soldiers and statesmen and simple citizens clothed with the panoply of right and duty. A file of great men, headed by Washington and Jefferson and ending with Lincoln and Grant, slowly passed, and in it all Brother Jonathan and his companion Saw the vision of the world, and all the wonder that ‘would be; ‘Saw the heavens fill with commerce, argo: of magic sails, Pilots i ae purple twilight, dropping down with costly ales Heard the Leavons fill with shouting and there rained a ghastly dew From inn nation's airy navies grappling in the central tue; Par along’ the worldwide whisper of the south wind roshing warm, With the standards of the peoples plunging through the thnder storm, Till the war drum throbbed no longer and the battle flags were furled In the Parliament of Man. the Federation of the World. When all this grand scene was over, when the vision of the Republic had passed away, it was only to renew itself In another phase and repeat the lesson of America under other conditions, Brother Jonathan was not giving an exhibition without a purpose, and he felt de- Vermined that Santa Claus should pe pleased with what he saw, The good old Christmas saint was delighted, and he was profuse jm hia oramisea to use all his magic 48 appears trom the following | power to give a fitting close to the ceievrauon. Jona [ Fed, children born of every’rifeé' under the sun, bat al? than’s votubility returned with the disappearance of the visions, and he talked incessantly for half an hour. In the chatter between the two every possible subject was discussed, even the question of a third term for Genera; Grant, and it was remarked that Santa Claus was even more hostile to the idea than Brothar Jonathan himself, “It would be a strange thing, Mr. Jonathan,” he said, “4f you and Uncle Sam should consent to give away the liberties of your people after what we have scen to- might, What good were your Washington and Adamses, | and Jefferson and Jackson and the long line of your | Presidents, if at last you are weak enough to forget the | traditions and glories we have seen pictured here? Should you consent to such a sacrifice this old hail | would not be true to itself or to its name unless it | crumbled to pieces before your very eyes. And that magnificent palace which you are building on the | Schuylkill would be the badge of American degradation and shame, instead of the evidence of the freedom apd | prosperity of @ great country, General Grant is nota bad sort of man in bis way; the people owe him a debt of gratitude for his services during the late war which they can neyer repay; bat he is much like some of the children 1 meet in my appual tours—unable to refuse anything and always wishing for something more. The people do not owe him another term and they will inake fools of themselves if they give him one.” When Santa Claus had finished this speech his eyes twinkled, but with a serenity of expression which they seldom showed, and Brother Jonathan again poked him in the ribs and said, “Well, I declare, Mr. Claus, the demo- cratic party cannot do better than to make you its can- didate for the Presidency in 1876. What say you now? Little Sammy Tilden wants the place, but I am afraid | Sammy is too smart to get it There is such a thing as being too smart, you know, Why don’t you speak out, | Mr. Claus, and say whether you want it or not? Now's your time,”? At my time of life 1 am not seeking for fresh honors, Mr. Jonathan. But whom bave we here,” and Santa Claus looked around in surprise at the goodly company which had assembled while they were discussing the third term, Jonathan, too, was somewhat surprised, although he evidently had been expecting his guests, With a wave of the hand he bade his friends welcome, and then turned to them one by one with a word of cheor anda kindly smile, While this ceremony was going forward Santa Claug and the reporter had ample opportunity to note the company, A more diversified assemblage was never before gathered together. Nearly every nation in the world was represented. In the midst stood John | Bull, with his puffy stomach and fluffy cheeks, looking about him with a half-pleased, half-regretful expression, Turning at length to Brother Jonathan he said:—“This is a very plain old building. I wonder why people have been making such a fuss about it for the last hundred years,’? Jonathan shrugged his shoulders, “Ob, hol John, you are an innocent old customer,” laughed Johnny Crapaud, “and probably never heard what happened here. It is seldom you leave your shop long enough to visit your neighbors, or even find time to hsten to their affairs, And yet I think I heard Latayette say something about your being in America once upon a time,” “I remember the occasion distinctly,” said Santa Claus, “As for me,” interposed Brother Jonathan, “I was only achild then, and can but faintly remember the circumstance, There was something unpleasant about it, I know, but whatever it was Jobn and I have long forgotten and forgiven everything. We are the best of friends, and always shall be, and if you will notice John’s pack bere you will see that his shop is better represented in what he has brought to show us all | than any of yours.”? | This remark served to call ‘attention to the fact that all of Brother Jonathan’s guests were loaded down like packborses with contrivances of every kind, ‘80 that they looked more like Santa Claus making his rounds on Christmas Eve than ladies and gentlemen attending an evening party. To Santa Claus this was a most amusing feature, and he went from one to an- other examining the packs of all of them and showing the greatest interest in everything he saw. Brother | Jonathan was scarcely behind him in curiosity, and manifested an anxious disposition to hurry bp his preparations so that the contents of the packs could be placed on exhibition without delay. More than aly this, however, everything about the assemblage was extraordinary, and the reporter found, as he grew fa- miliar with the faces about him, that he was not en- tirely unacquainted with them after all. Germany was represented by that dashing young soldier, the Crown Prince, and shadows of the Fatherland seemed to glow and glimmer in the air about him. France was there, not in the person of the Duc de Magenta but as we have before intimated, in that of plain Johnny Cra paud; and all of the Queen’s dominions were repre- sented by bluff John Bull. Spain appeared in a strango garb, half caballero and half tramp. Italy and Austria and Russia and the nations of the East, as well as those of the West, were all present in the person of some typical genius, and the wealth and art and industry of all of them were exhibited. There were many inter- changes of courtesies and much lively conversation, and all of them seemed sorry that they had not come in time to witness the panorama of America, which Santa Claus described to them in glowing words. Be- sidos, many friendly disputes grew out of the conver- sation, and Jonathan was vexed with a hundred con- flicting claims. “] gent you Colon,” said young King Alfonso, “or my predecessors did, which {s the same thing, If there had been no Spain there would have been no Columbus, and, consequently, no America.” “Bosh !’’ answered Victor Emmanuel, “there would | have been no Columbus if there had been no Italy.” } “and Spain sent you, besides, De Soto and his com- panions, who discovered the mighty Mississippi,” re- joined Alfongo, “and a hundred others, who helped to | hew the forests and to plant the corn in this grcat land, To this very day the fumes of my tobacco dull your | senses with delight, and I sweeten your mouths with the sugars and molasses from my cane fields in the An- tilles. Even the Cuban generals who walk Broadway to-night belong to me.’” “And, ob| Jonathan, forget not,” chimed in King | Leopold I, “that it was the Netherlands which sent | you Hendrick Hudson.” “ Henry,’ if you please,” cried Mr. Bull, with impa- tient sarcasm in his speech. ‘I want to know, you know, how you can make a Dutchman out of English Henry Hudson?” | “] suppose, Mr. Bull, you claim the Cabots also,” cried a small voice in the corner of the chamber, “Of course I do,’’ said John, in the most choleric of moods, ‘and Sir Walter Ralcigh, whom I beheaded, and Lord Baltimore and William Penn and the Pilgrim Fathers.” “You wero sorry to send the Pilgrims to America, I know,” interposed Santa Claus, laughing, “and they and their descendants give me very little trouble, They don’t care more for Christmas, John Bull, than they care for you.”” “They gave me alot of trouble, though,” said John, sententiously. “And I believe I sent Lafayetteand Rochambeau over to help them,” chuckled Jobnny Crapaud. “Zo you did,” Bull assented, “and I believe you also sent a certain Citizen Genet, that you might help your- self.” “Let us have peace,” whispered Brother Jonathan; and suddenly the scene changed. Tho State House faded out of sight, the old bell ringing its midnight chimes of Christmas cheer. But in an instant new wonders had been wrought and fairy fingers completed for the nonce the great Exhibition buildings in Pair. mount Park. All was arranged as it will be on the Fourth of July, 1876, Everything was in its place and ‘fa great multitude came and went and went and came. There wi glamor over all with which it ts impossible to invest reality. The divinities of an exploded myth- ology found a new field for their ministry. Apollo pre- sided over the arte and sciences. Ceres revealed the Jatest triumphs of agriculture, Vulcan declared bim- self not the god of blacksmiths, but of artificers, and set such complicated machinery in motion that Roman stoictsm would have been transformed into exclamation marks, Brother Jonathan, with a power to call spirits from the vasty deep, invoked the Ancient Thought to inspire the Modern Action, A procession was formed in the namo of American independ. ence and progress and it marched through the immense building finding tributes to the growth and grandeur of the Republic in every part. Thirty- eight States as sisters of a single household marched hand in hand, bearing blades of grass and stalks of cane and corn and cotton and wheaten sheavos, Damo Columbia was at the head of the procession, leading her | Jonathan’s proud to bear the name American, formed part of her merry cortége. Allother countries joined the mom.) mers; and for atime there was a Christmas pagean@ such as has not been seen since this grand old Christ mas holiday fell into disrepute. Even Santa Claus took « hand tn the merrymaking, and introduced all that fairy host of whom he ts su; posed to have exclusive charge at Christmas time, may not be generally known, but it 1s true, that ev Christmas morning all fairyland gives a ball under th direction of old Santa Claus, and this year no fitter! place could have been found for it than the Centennial building. And never before was the old saint t better mood for evoking the mystics of whom he is king a& Christmas, Fatigued with the festivities of Brother levée, he was anxious for his pipé and a quiet glass of grog; and so, as the wonders of the night were passing away,, he brought on his masqueraders like the ballet for the grand transformation ina spectacle with/ each cloud of smoke ashe puffed away at his pipe; ‘There were Cinderella and the Sleeping Beauty andy Little Bopeep and the Babes in the Wood and Undine, | the Fisherman's Daughter, and Little Betsinda, andj Ie | Kilmeny and all the beauties of fairyland and fairy) lore. The giants also were on hand, among them the! owner of the seven-league boots and the ogre of which we read in “Jack and the Beanstalk,” and alk those fellows larger than Roman citizens in the play” who fell before the prowess of the Giant Killer, As wo looked all other sights and all other sounds disappeared” altogether. Even Brotber Jonathan was gone, and} the immense building was only a fairy palace, and the} scene was the last act of the fairies’ bail. The magi dance went on. but as it proceeded Santa Claus smoked! very quietly, Indeed, after atime, he put his pipe aside, and the reporter saw him magic glass, Then with his little Singer Tock it, ‘And stow it deep in his fur pocket, As the smoke cleared away the images all disape, Peared, and it was found that Santa Claus, too, was/ gone. And, to crown all, the reporter found himself} quietly snoring in bis own bed, like the majority of; Christian men on Christmas morning, with a headache, CHRISTMAS IN THE OLOISTER MIDNIGHT MASS AT THE HOUSE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD. The privilege of attending midnight mass is of such rare occurrence that the numerous readers of the Hunan will, undouptedly, appreciate the scene which transpired at the House of the Good shepherd last night. , At ten o'clock the white robed nuns were in theit stalls, the children of St. Joseph's class filled all the space on either side the chapel, and up in the gallery were congregated @ vast number of those who hope to enter heaven by the door of penance, At the stroke of ten the organ pealed forth a joyful strain, and fresh young voices sweetly intoned the “Venite Exultamus Domino,” af the end of every verse the choir replying, ‘‘Venite Ado~ remus.” At the conclusion of this grand song the re-. ligious recited in plain voice three nocturnes of the office and tho nine points pertaining thereto, and the ‘Te Deum” was made to rise and falland faint away in the’ distance by the united choir and organ. Then were heard the softly rising notes of the “Giorjia in Excelsia: Deo,” followed by the *Benedictue,”” which the’ grand canonical office: of the night The last tones of the ‘“Benedictus’? were hushed im the swelling notes of the organ’s triumphal tones, Father Duthaler, attended by his acolytes, entered tha sanctuary, and as the bell tolled the hour of midnignt the solemn service of the high mass began. A fallchoir of novices, clad all in white from head to toot, chanted the music of the Gregorian mass. Changing the grave tone of the chantat the offertory they sung the “Hodia’”? of Raffelin, and at the ‘Sauctus’’ the glad cry of ‘‘Ho~ sanna in excelsis!’’ resounded again and again from tho arched roof. Next was heard the supplicating “Agnus Dei” thrice repeated, and as the religious approached the altar to communicate the choir poured forth the beautiful ‘Pastoris” of Louis Lambillotte. As there were some 600 communicants, the “Adeste Fidelis was sung with marked effect while the great procession approached the altar. First came the religious, then the children of the Preserva- tion, dressed in white with white veils, the lady board- ers followed, then the children of St. Joseph’s class, in biack dresses and white veils, and lastly the penitents, ‘n black dresses, with white veils covering their white caps, The Magdalens communicated from their side chapel. The first mass was concluded and the second immediately begun, during which the Magdalens sung the “Gloria” and the ‘“Sanctas."’ As soon as the sec- ond mass was finished the third succeeded it, the chil- dren of St. Joseph's class singing the ‘‘Adesve Fidelis’? and other Christmas carols. Four children made their first communion, having been previously baptized on the feast of the Immaculate Conception. The three masses occupied almost as many hours in their celebration, the beauty and solemnity of the scene impressing ail present. SUPPER. The lecture hall of the Central Methodist Episcopal church, in Seventh avenue, near Fourteenth street, Rev. 0, 8. Harrower pastor, was crowded last evening by the poor of the vicinity, who were invited to a sup- per provided by the Young People’s Christian Union of that church. "This society is doing much good ina quiet way for the poor. CHILDREN’S CHARITABLE UNION. In these cold days the need of warm: nour ishment to support the functions of animal life comes home to us with peculiar force; and yet there ure thousands of forsaken children in this city to whom the benefit of a warm meal comes only at rare intervals, as an event of holi- day occurrence. Agzin, the education of the ‘lower classes’’ is believed to be the one fundamental measure upon which all bigh and great interests of the present and the future depend. And yet experience teaches that our public schools do not reach the children of the very poor; that even compulsory laws fail of their effect, and, in general, that it is u to offer mental food where the body ts starving. In some measure to supply this need the Children’s Aid Society bas erected industrial echools in various quarters of our city, where instruction is given m the rudiments of knowledge and one or moro of the nseful arts, and the pupils are thus provided with the means ot future self-support, But the efforts of the association in this direction need to be sec- onaed, and a warm noonday meal for the pupils of the industrial schools is now the thing most needed, The Childrén’s Aid Society will supply i meals at an average of $1. a month for each child, being a fraction more than three cents a meal. Sporadic at. tempts to relieve the most pressing necessities of these neglected lithe ones have, indeed, occasiwnally been made: but a consistent and organized effort is called for, if lasting good is at all to be achieved. With this end in view an association has now been formed, to be called the Children’s Charitable Union. Its members are to be children. Any child may be- come @ member by subscribing $1 monthly. Adults will become patrons of the Union by subscribing to the same amount, The Children's Charitable Union is to be auxiliary to the Children’s Aid Society, and ii tunds are to be placed at the disposal of the said society for the one purpose described above, Every child that lays aside three cents when- ever it site down to the dinner table will fee! that it bag provided a warm meai for some other child in less for- tunate circumstances, and the benefit accruing frora the kindly act will thus be shared between the recip- jent and the giver. Mite boxes (to be placed in the dining room) for collecting these daily gifts may bo procured at a trifling expense by those who desire them. One dollar a month to support a child’s life A committee of ladies will have the funcs of the union in their charge for further transmission, and will in every way aszist in their Ly ood application by lending to the work their personal interest, counsel and eym- pathy. All funds thus collected will be transmitted ta the Treasurer of the Children’s Aid Society, Mr. J. KE. ‘Williams, President of the Metropolitan Bank, to be ro- tained and used as a “special fund’ for warm dinners for poor children, Name and address of subsecibers may be sent to any member of the ladies’ committee, which hus been or- ganized as follows: President—Mre. Judge Daly, No. 84 Clinton place, Treasurer—Mrs. Max Heidelbach, No. 26 West Thir- ty-ninth street, Hon. Secretary—Mrs. Professor Joy, No. 117 East Seventieth street. Committee—Mrts, General Hancock, No. 7 Wert Twonty-fifth street; Mrs, Judge Brady, No. 19 West ‘Thirty-third street; Mrs. M ig, No. 8 Washington square; Mra, Jos. Seligman, No. 26 West Thirty-fourth. street; Mrs. R. Buchman,’ No. 3 Wost Forty-fifth street; Mra Frederick Kiihne, No, 16 West Sixtieth street; Mrs. 8. Loeb, No, 37 East Thirty-cighth street; Mme. de Vangrineuse, No. 21 East Ninth street, ‘The following gentlemen have consented to act as advisory members of the committee:—Hon. Judge Charles P. Daly, Hon, Judge J. R. Brady, Mr. Frederick Kahne, Professor Felix Adler, Mr. Charles L. Brace. A NOBLE CHARITY. Six years ago 110 persons lost their lives by fire in the coal mine at Avondale, Pa, They left 73 widows, | 156 orphan children and many others whose livelihood depended on their arduous labor in the dark passages: deep under ground. This calamity caused the spon~ taneous outpouring of public sympathy and a contri- bution of $174,222, This sum was placed in the hands of who distributed it in month keeping their beneficiares from want them to self-su; ing comfort, They have now ex-, hausted the fund and rendered their final tse They have made no charge for their constant and long con- tinued care, and with ouly the deduction of about 000 for necessary expen the whole sum con. fair dangnters with more than a Cornelia’s pride in hor jewols; aud the sons of America white. black and wanes: with ition of over $19,000. for overeat! and investments, bas gone to the work of charits: