The New York Herald Newspaper, December 25, 1878, Page 2

CHRISTMAS. How a Little Cripple Found Out All About It. FESTIVITIES ALL OVER THE WORLD. Costoms in Merrie England—The “Miracle Plays,” “Carols” and “Waits.” THE BOAR’S HEAD, ORT tasty Italy, France, Hungary, Poland, Russia and Austria. A little boy sat drumming on the frosty window pane just as the street lamps were lighted on Christ- mas Eve. He was gazing out into the streets which were now crowded with people hurrying to and fro in the crisp, cold, wintry atmosphere, all intent on the one object—the preparation for Christmas. Car- riages filled with yay parties were driven rapidly over the frosty ground, ladies warmly wrapped in furs Lung on the arms of gentlemen and enticed them past attractive shop grindows in pursuit of the stores of good things within; little children in overcoats down to their heels slid upon the ive in the gutters or gazed admiringly at candies, toys and what not ® the brilliantly lighted shops. All was bustle and animation, and all devoted to the same purpose. But the little boy gazing through the window at all of these, alhough he enjoyed it in a way, yet it was in a saddened way, sinc, by reason of physical disability, he was deprived of the outdoor pleasures which he saw enjoyed so rapturously beneath him by others, He would have presents himself on Christ- mas, he knew that well enongh; but even this prospective happiness did not atone for what he miss For this little boy was twisted and distorted with a terrible spinal complaint—so terrible, in fact, as to deprive him of the power of locomotion and to render him dependent upon the strength of others for everything which is usually gained by personal activity. To him there came pres- ently a visitor, One who had travelled much and who, having used her faculties carefully, had scen much, “Where would you like to spend Christmas, Char- lie?” she said softly. “I dou’t know; there are so many beautiful conn- tries of which I have read and so many strange people who all keep Christmas, I think I would like to see them all.” The lady laughed. ‘That would be impossible, Charlié,” she sad, “unless, like some of the fabled beings whom we read of in the mythology the other day, you have the faculty of being in a great many places at the some time. But,” and here a happy thought struck her, “I have an idea, You know I have been almost everywhere. Now suppose Icomo here to-morrow and tell you what I have seen of Christmas keeping in all the different places I have visited. How would you like that ?” ‘The little boy clapped his hands. “Oh, that would be nice. It would be next to seeing it myself.” And 80 on the next day the kind lady fulfilled her promise. CRRISTMAS IN MANY LANDS. “We have all read about the numerous curious ceremonies connected with Christmas in Great Britain,” she said, “such as the ‘bringing in of the bour’s bead,’ the ‘lighting of the Christmas-candles,’ aud the ‘Yule log,’ the ‘wassail bowl,’ ‘waits,’ ‘bellmen,’ ‘carols,’ and so on; but when we read of these we connect them only with ‘ancient times, and very few people are aware that these old customs in connection with Christmas festivities, are still quite eom:non in certain parts of England, ‘At the great University of Oxford, in Queen's Col- lege, the following custom obtains even to the pres- ent day. On Christmas they give # dinner in the great hall. The first dish brought to the table is a boar’s head. It is either boiled or roasted; but it is decked with laurel wreaths and a lemon is placed in its month, and thus ornamented it is carried in sol- emn procession from the kitchen to the table—tho Procession being led by one of the officers of the cok lage, who sings the following song as he. marches @iong the hall with stately step:— The boars head in hand bear I, Berdlecked with bays and rosemary, And I pray you, master, merty ba, Quotquot rts in cone eto. Choras—Gupnd ipri defero, Reddens lauder Domine. defor, Tawstes Domino, One steward has provided thi Ta ho the K of Bites Whieh on this day to be served te Tn repiemonat tr Chorus—Caput apri defero, Hrddtens tavudes Domino. “This song has been sung from time immemorial, with its accompanying ceremony and chorus, and is gesisted by all the students in the hall. “But this custom of bringing in the boar’s head to the table is not confined to the University of Oxford. In the northern anc western counties it is religiously continued among the squires and gentry. In Essex eounty the bour’s head is carried into the fields and there wrestled for by the villagers, the successful one carrying home his trophy in-triumph. Another Bacient ceremony, which is still continued, is that of (he ‘Mummers,’ or ‘Players.’ Tho miracle plays, as is well known, were im ancient days commonly used in the celebration of Christmas. These plays usually involve some religions idea or scene taken from the Yeriptnros, and presenting as characters :tot unfrequently the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph and even the Christ child. They were finally abolished as Diasphemons; but have been replaced in Cumberland and certain other counties by mesks or plays not al- together dissimilar in character to that of Alexander, in the ‘King of Egypt,’ one in frequent use om Christmas Day. ‘This ply it» simply # collection of bad rhymes, often vulgar, but answers the purpose required by those who perform it, which is simply to get afew pence the Closely allied to this eustom is that ot sing is.’ ‘The verses used are generally mw ccasion by the penny-aliners, and may ve nd, roughly printed, at the newspaper and book stends in London. These ‘carols’ are sung by the Sun schoo! ebiidren of the village churches and the choristers, who go about on Christmas Eve to the ditferent houses of the wealthy, and thereby Pick up a few shilli sither for themselves or for charitable purpose case may be. WAITS, MINETRELS, BELLM “Still other ancient characters are ‘waite.’ Those ‘Were formerly watchmen, who acted as ‘court min strels,’ hud at night sung the hours as they went their rounds, Every parish in the city of London eUill has its ‘waite,’ who are said to be attached to the corporation and sworn. They go from houre to house on Christmas Eve singing or playing on differ- ent instruments, and thi*, too, for the same purpose as all the rest—that of gathering togethor pennies for the better celebration of Christmas Day, whieh fol- lows. In the villages such young lads as choose ofn together and ocenpy the same position. The *bellmen’ of London—that is, dustmen and other ors of tho city, reap A npecial harvest at this period. They got handbilly of Christmas Yorses printed some time previous to the eveniful day, and on Christinas Evo they make their calls, ringing their bells, aud claim their annual gift—this enstom being, im fact, the same as among our news- paper and letter eatrie “But perhaps one of the pleasantest sonyenire of | the anctont method of passing Christmas ia found in what is called the ‘Ynie log.’ The country houses | ot Kugiand are famous, the world over, for their spaciousness aud the lavish character of their hos- pitality, In each house, at this season, the grates arc removed from the old hails and the huge fire piace, centuries old, is nearly filled with the root of some grand old tree, eut from the forest of the estate. The ‘fire brand,’ black and dry, which was feet for lighting the fire of the provions year, is Wrought from its hiding place and the me is lit, Which must be kept alive all through tho Ohrist- NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1878—WITH SUPPLEMENT. mas Eve—for its going ont is a bad omen— and around it, and brightened up by its cheerful Nght, the family gather, Here are the boys, home from the school for the holidays; the elder sons, perhaps from India, Australia or elsewhere the world over, and all meet around the blazing fre that is 80 connected with their earliest and happiest recol- lections. And this is not a pioture of the past,alone, This Christmas, ason other Christmases for years and centuries, the same happy reunion will occur. ‘The ‘wassail bowl’ will be produced and welcomed as joyously as eyer, while the ripe wine, the generous apple floating on its surface, the spicy ginger and nutmeg—all of which go to make up its rare and delicious con- tents—will be served out as generously and as enjoy- ably to-morrow as ever in the days of ‘Bluff King Hal’ or ‘Good Queen Bess.’ Now, the decorating and ornamenting of the old homestead has gone on for weeks. That is to say, the lads and lasses of the vil- lage have busied themselves all this time in gath- ering ivy aud holly and the far famed ‘mistletoe.’ And though these old customs come down to the English people from the Druids of old they will be observed to-morrow as tenaciously a8 ever. “The churches will be festooned with groan boughs and bright red berrios, and each old homestead will have its ‘mistletoe’ hung in the hall as of old. ‘Un- der the mistletoe’ is looked forward to by every country lover and sweetheart in England with the deepest anxiety and anticipation—for there, while the berries hang, the former may kiss his love ‘for that night only,’ since when the last berry is plucked the privilege ceases. . “And these pleasures in the houses of the wealthy in England are not confined to the master and mis- tress or their guests. In the servants’ hall, at this season, everything is free and unlimited. ‘Blind man’s buff,’ ‘forfeits’ ‘dancing’ and ‘snap dragon’ go on with wild jollity; the Christmas candles are lit and the ‘ynle log’ burns as brightly in the kitchen as in the hall above, AN ENGLISH CHRISTMAS DINNER. “But the grandest of all the elements which go to make Christmas Day the chief festival of ‘Merrig England,’ is the dinner. Looked forward to, from one year to the next, by the children, this noble ban- quet more than equals every anticipation. The famed sirloin, the still more noted plum pudding, whose memory outlives revolutions and wars, crosses oceans and swims rivers, climbs mountains and .defies time itself; the mince pies, the home brewed ale; all these things which we, thousands of miles away, enjoy by reason of our heirship—these remain the great staple and feature of Christmas in the ‘Old Country.’ But at night the music and dancing, ‘bobbing for apples,” and ‘round games? could shame our far lese enthusiastic enjoyment. It is not remarkable that with such a festival, whose peculiar ceremonies have been handed down by history and tradition from remote periods, there should have grown up many snperstitions, which are quite as firmly believed in now in certain parts of England as ever before. Thug, in some localities, the countryman believes cons:ientiously that every Christmas Eve, at twelve o'clock, the oxen all kneel in their stalls; bees are supposed to sing in their hives at this period; and, in the mining dis- tricts, certain rich veins of ore are reported to be illuminated, while masses are sung by unseen beings. In: Hampshire there is a certain tree called the ‘Cadenham Oak,’ which is said to bud only on Christmas Day, and all over the world, wherever it grows, the celebrated ‘Glastonbury Thorn’ puts forth its leaves at this time. Then the cock crows all night on the eve of Christmas to drive away such bad spirits as may be lingering about: snd many 4 one, who has become belated by lingerifig on his way homo, has heard the reprover of St, Peter thus manifesting his presence and power, ‘One of these superstitions, which is still held, is thus related:—‘Hundreds of years ago there hap- dened a great earthquake in Nottinghamshire. Every honse in the village was swallowed up—even the village church not being sacred from this sudden catastrophe. Now,every Christmas morning, the good old dames near the spot, who are busy cook- ing the Christmas dinner, depute their children to go into the valley formed by this sudden abysmal depar- ture to listen to the church bells chiming far below in the interior of the earth, and there lay their ears to the ground- ‘Theehildren return home at length, per- fectly watisfied that they have heard them ringing the buried villagers to church,’ Whatever we way think of the verity of this legend, we must at least concede that it is an excellent, means for getting rid of the children while the Christmas festivities are being prepared. THEATRES AKD CLUB DANCERS. “A customary amusement in some parte of Eng- Ignd is called the ‘Club Denee,’ and is performed by the villagers on Christmas morning before the man- sion or ball of the village. After its conclusion the dancers ate invited in to partake of ale and ‘braun’— the ‘braun,’. by the way, being made of the flesh of the fattened wild boar, and being, 1aereover, one of the ‘institutions’ of ‘Olde England,” “All of these old ensioms exist chiefly at the extreme contines” of Enugland, and are found mainly in the’ western and northern counties. But in the manufacturing towns the ‘waits’ and ‘carol’ singers still hold sway as of old, In London at this season the great scene of enjoyment is the theatre. Every place of amnsement in the city is open, and for weeks prepa rations have been making among the mauagers.for the production of the Christmas pantomimes. The school boy and the shop boy look forward from one year’s pantomime to thatof the next as the two bright oases in the great desert of labor and discomfort; and not alone to the juvenile portion of the population is the pantomime @ genuine source of en- joyment. The expense lavished in its’ pro- duction, the magnificent seenie nd costume effects, the «pirit of humor with which ft {s infused and the taste shown in all the arrangements con- nected with it make it a sight well worth witnessing by any one. And ‘Harlequin Tom Noddy, or the Blond Genii and the Fairy with Pour Wings,’ holds the memory of the spectator with entire and intense staction, until superseded by ‘Hartequin Silver- orthe Fairy Valet and the Silver Pomegran- “One of the grest sights just before Christmas in London, and usually on Christmas Eve, ix the ‘Smith- field Prize Show,’ which occurs at this time. The fat cattle, the prize piga—not to mention the twenty- five or thirty pound turkeys—being very good appe- tizers for the morrow’s fostive banquet. CHRIFIMAS IN IRELAND, WALES ASD ROME. “Passing from England we find that the rest of Great Britain has very similar enstoms, modified naturally by local sentiments and habit, In Lreland a very impressive scone is the midnight mass, which is performed on Christmas Eve by torchlight, among the hills, The ancient plays still hold the stage or the turf here as Im England. Only in place of st. George, who is frequently ® prominent character in the latter country, we have here St. Patrick intro- duced as moré appropriate to the Hibernian senti- ment. Dancing, athletic games ond other amuse ments, chiefly in the open air, and, of course, the disposing of an unlimited quantity of ‘poteen,’ serve as means for passing away the time pleasantly. In the Highlands of Seotlend the day is devoted to feasting and drinking, ball playing, prize shooting and open air games. In Wales, which, despite the strangling character of its language of consonants, is a great musical country, ‘carol’ singing is common, and there are Minstrels still liv- ing who inberit their gifts through along line of musical ancestors. “Now crossing over to the Continent of Europe wo find ourselves aniong customs and observances to tully different from those we have just noted. In Roman Catholic countries, as # matter of course, the roligions observances overshadow all others, and, with slight changes, they are very similar io all thosecountries, A description of the ceremonials ip Itome, where they ate certainly tho grandest and most magnificent anywhere, will answer for all, “At midnight on Christmas Eve one bears the guna of the great fort of St. Angelo booming forth the in- tellizenoe that another anulversary of the birthdaPot Obrist, the Saviour, is at band. Immedtately every ove is inthe street, and all Rome hurries to the nn merous churches, where midnight mass is performed with all the gorgeous ceremonial common to this most gorgeous of charches, The most brilliant scene is at the Church of St. Maria Magyiore. Here in ® case of ptrest cryetal and sfiver is depotited what fx affirmed to be the sacred cradle of Christ, which, on this occasion, ia withdrawn from. lelujah chorus, Handel. Miss Ella Cod- dingham, Mrs. Ketcham; altos, Miss Annie Jardine, Miss H. M. Mason; basso, Edward G. Jardine, organist and choir master, The choir will be agsistet by CHURCH OF THE INTERCESSION. PR ht is — programme at the iG 8810 ‘ashing’ overture, Jubal, W. T. Best; them, O, Come, Let Us Sin, Allen; Jubilate, in C, J. B. Angels Sing, Mendelssohn; Gloria Tibi, Dr, Garrett; Anthem, Smart; Offertoire Sent Jer March, arranged by Best. ST, CHRYSOSTOM’S CHAI Processional, Shout the Glad Ti: Hither Ye sanctuary and public view exposed on and worship. church is illuminated with thousands of wax tapers, set in massive golden candlesticks, which glitter in their blaze. Draperies of gold and crimson and the magnifieent church services fll to repletion a scene of splendor which would almost seem to the laymen to have been taken bodily out of the Arabian Without, the lights from the church win- dows shine down upon thousands of men, women and children of all ages and nations. rarior Calabrian Minstrels, who havecome down from the mountains with their pipes, and now go about the streets, playing before tbe shrines of the Ma- donnas; here they are grouped together, costumed in their picturesque garb; strange, rude, grotesque beings from the wild Campagna, lying upon the ground with their faces half hidden from sight; beings who are never seen at any other time in Rome, and who live, no one knows how, on the waste out- Then the great procession forms to bear the ‘cradle’ to the chapel of Santa Croce, where the services are rendered and whence the popa- Jace return to their homes. Every family, however poor, manages to conduct some s this occasion, and for weeks the havo offered images of the saints, hung about with strings of sausages and festooned with Bologna pud- ding. ‘Phe confectionery shops are full of ‘virgins and saints, done in candies and gilt gingerbroads ‘There is no scarcity of means to feast upon, w some measure all feaste The churches in Rome are usually decorated by their lady attendants, who spend weeks in dressing, crowning and jeweling the various Madonnas, 3 THE FEAST IN SQUTHERN PUROPE, “Throughout Austria, Bohemia, Hungary and Poland the day before Christmas is observed as a rigid fast, In order to restrain the chil- dren from satisfying their natural desire for food on this occasion it is cnstomary to assure them that, provided they eat nothing on this day, in the evening they shall see little golden pig running sbout the table. ‘This assurance is usually received with entire satisfaction, and the fast is perfected. Toward even- ing—in some parts when the first star appears— the tables are lit, and the great feast prepared is partaken of by all with special zest on account of their recent abstinence, guns are fired, drums are beaten in the streets and every sort of noise is conducted until mass begins, In Poland no meat is prepared for the supper, but the people eat sitting on straw and hay, thns typify- ing ina measure the circumstances identified with The day before Christmas, too, is generally a great hunting day, as it is desirable that the men should be out of the way of the wives while the latter are conducting their preparations for the Christmas festival. These occupy the time in hunting for the various large and small game which are to be found in abundance in the vast Hungarian and Polish forests. “In France New Year's Day—the Jour de L’ An—is the all-absorbing festival of the year; so much so that it robs much from the proper observance of However, the usual ceremonies of the ehurch are performed here, as elsewhere; and in Provence particularly, they fast from meat, and have midnight mass. But, socially, this is not at all the festival which it is in other countries. “In the Greck Church there is the fast of Lent im- modiately before Christmas; otherwise the cere- monies are very much the same as among the Roman Catholics. That is to say, as regards social customs, games, amusements of various kinds, dancing, <c., filling up the time. THE CHRISTMAS TREE. “Perhaps one of the most remarkable methods of making this season pass pleasantly is that one, so customary among the Germans, of the Christmas tree. ‘This is becoming more and more an element in our own Christmas habits, and thousands of them will be displayed inall the glory of colored candles, colored glass ornaments and other effects of drapery and orna- mentation, not to speak of the innumerable gifts with which they will be hung, and which form naturally the chief attraction to the juvenile mind. In our land, so cosmopolitan are we by the ciroumstances and the extent of the free- dom of our laws and manners, rowed ceremonies and customs from every country to which we have just been referring. Roast beef and plum pudding, roast turkey and mince pie, chimes of church bells, masses at midnight, gifts on the Christ- mas tree and gifts in the stocking hung in the chim- ney corner, bails, parties, athletic games, mimes—these and all others of the cheering and pleasant and sacred social and religious observances to which we have fallen heir, come to us as they come to those others, from the remote past, andserve with us as with them, to remind vs of onr religions duty, and not less of our duty of charity and forbear- ance toward all the world. “Let us see to it on this special occasion, that while we observe ché@rfully and faithfully these festi- vities, the duties which have been handed down to us with them be not forgotten.” ‘This was what the kind lady told out of her er- perience of travel to the poor lame boy, who might never hope to enjoy it himself. And as it is all true perhaps it will not less interest the readers of the Henatp than it did him, However this may be, some consideration as to what a vast brotherhood hu- manity forms—as it is scattered through so mapvy countries over the globe—will not be without its valuc to all of tis precisely at this Christinas time of the hts ;-—-Opening Here are the Pifte- ‘ateled Their Sanctus, Browne; An- 1 Flocks by Night, Dr. © ‘im; Gloria in Excelsis, Herald Angels Lg Some, Let Us Adore ol chant; Recessional; Bing, Mendelgsohn. Solemn high with 6 — at half-past sermon, M,. Procestlonsl--Adeste Pideloe, rendered by @ double quartet and soprano solo and skirts of the city, a: Hes Sraneee Offe: Retrogressional—La Pro} four o'clock P. eapers ites, -Miases, Bailey and tenor, Mr. Fair- altos, Misses 3 tenor, Mr. brother; ior i lly A er Ny organist, Mrs. Marden, ST. ANDREW'S PROTRSTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH. jonal Hymn, 233 Hymnal, Gauatiett; an- Deum authem, in C, 8. P, Warren; Jubilate » Dayas; hymn, 22 Hymnal, Avison; Kyrie, in G, Gounod; Gloria Tibi, im G. Tallis; hymn 25, Hymnal, Reading; ascription, Alii W. Warren; Oftertory, Cantique ; Ante-Communion, Mendelssohn, ‘Trisag: and Sanctus, in D, Pearce; hymn 207, Hodges; Gloria in Excelsis, old chant. t. Quartet and choir under the direction of no meat being eaten. HOLY TRINITY PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH, Fugue, in D, organ, Guilmant; anthem, Gadsb; Venite Exultimus, C. B. B.; Glorias, and Warren; Te Deum, in C, 8. P. tus in C, 8. P, Warren; anthem, “Behold, I Bring,’ by; ante-communion service; Gloria Tibi, C. R.;; Hymn 25, 0. B.R.; authem, solo, ‘Rejoice ,”’ Messiah; Hymn 206; Gloria ira. I. C. Ay ton, soprano; Mrs. Bena Fred- erichs, alto; Mr. Hayden, Smit Warren; Benedic- At twelve o'clock '8 ROMAN CATHOLIC CHUROR. Novello; Mass, St. Ce- cilia, Gounod; Veni Creator (male chorus), Cortads; Offertory, Cantique de Noél, Adam; Postiude, Triomphale, Satter. ‘The choir consists of Miss Maggie Mitchell, Mrs. A.. Christianson, Mr. C. @. Hall, Mr. T. Henry Camp, Mr. and chorus; pianist, Mi Caswell, organist and director. ST. BARNABAS’ PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH. Organ prelude, Haydn; anthem, And There Were Shopherds, Danks; Venite in B fiat, Millard; Glorias, by Millard; ‘Te Deum in B minor, Buck; Jubilate in C, Danks; hymn, Coronation, Hymnal; Shout the Glad. Ti ‘Tibi in D flat, Daniels; Offertory, Come ‘Thayer; Postiude, Mozart. Te Denm in G, I. L. Hopkins; Jubilate‘in F, God of Israel, Earl of Mar; Hymn 17, Mendelssohn; Offertory, Once Again, O Blessed Time, Sanctus in D, A. 8. Cooper; Hymn 207, Dr. Hodges; Gloria in Excelsis, old chant. SX, JOHN THE Dachauer’s Second Mass, +. 8h. STRPBEN' Processional, Ade: Otto Flemmin; the birth of Christ. Judge; Albert » Avison; Gloria , Dr. Garrett; Anthem, Blessed ‘8, ROMAN CATHOLIC. ‘Luzzi’s Ave Maria, Verdi's Tantum Ergo and the Adeste Fideles constitute the ‘The choir consists of Mrs. und, sopranos; Miss Bussel altos; Messrs. Dietrich and Bre- berry and Stanton basses, Nellie Ryan, organist. chief works to be s' McDonnell and Mis aud Miss Kennedy, PROTESTANT EPTBOO! ‘There will be» midnight service as tollows:—Pro- cossional, Adeste Fideles; full communion service in ¥, Dr. Stainer; Offertory, Glo) cessional Hymn 2, Smart. cessional Hymn 25; communion service in Stainer; Anthem Offertory, Sing and Rejoice, Barnby, Hymn 17, Boosey; Recessional, Smart. 8T. PATRICK'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL. ‘Mass at five o’clock. Mass in Unison. Music by Cecilia, by H, Kain. ay. Ades! . Mass in E flat, by ntry); mixed rs lertory, Kistchmar. Vespers at plain chant; Hymn Juan Redemp- ‘Alma Itedemptoris, by to God, Handel; Be- jorning ‘service—Pro- mass st half- ein this cou: giris, boys and men. Veni Creator, Bs tor, by Dr. Witt; Antiphone Palestrina; O Salutaris, by Stehle; Tantum Ergo, by Ts. presided over by Uherles Schreiner. &T. PAUL'S CHURCH. Sentence, Christians, Awake, oper Psalms, 19, 45, 85, mi, .Millard’s in B flat; edictus, Mercadante, in A flat; Hymn 19, Adeste Fideles, Novello; Kytie, Jackson; Gloria Tibi, War- ren; Hymn 24, Angels from the Realms of Glory, Warren: offertory, Arise, Shine, for Thy Commanion—Trisagion and Camidge; Hymn 207, Eucharistic Hymn; Gloria in Quartet choir, assisted by a t thirty voices, under the direction of ‘Thomas Benson, organist. STATEN ISLAND, ST, LUKE'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH. , Quartet choir of mixed voices, under the direc- tion of John H. Brewer, orgauist. Morning service— Venite, in D, Flagler; Jubilate Deo, in G, Deum, in G, Loretz; Goria in Excelsis, in D, Wilso Hark, the Herald Angels Sing, Mendelssohn; Pil- grims of the Night, Thomas. ST, BERNARD'S CHURCH. ‘The musical services in St. Bernard’s Church, West Fourteenth street, near Ninth avenue, of which the Rev, Gabriel A. Healy is pastor, will be very attrac- “Christmas Cantata” Bernard’s Hull e day to the Feast of the the exception of New has labored earnestly since he became pastor of Berhard’s to promote the literary aud social en: ment of the youth of his parish, and with the aid of his aesistant, father Riordan, he yond his fondest anticipations. DINNERS FOR ALL. Rev. Father Drumgoole, of No. 68 Warren atrect, has provided a splendid feast for his boys. ‘There will be mass %t five A. M., when the reverend gentle- man will preach a suitable sermon, The programme of exercises for the day will bo varied and interest- songs, Bpecches and dialogucs. ‘he Commissioners of Emigration will give a dinner to the 673 inmates of the institutions on One thousand pounds of fowl and a large quantity of mincemeat for pics have been sent to the island for that purpose. will be presented with # uew suit of clothes and eac’ girl with a new dress we have bor- fenite, Boyce; Tallis and Farrant; Te Excelsis, old chant. will take place y, January 6, with Father Healy has succeeded be- MUSIC IN THE CHURCHES, ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMES TO BE ENJOYED THIS MOBNING—A CHOICE OF GOOD THINGS, The following musical programmes, to be rendered in the churches to-day, were omitted from yester- day’a list for want of space: ST, BARTHOLOMEW'S CITURCH. Processional, The Heavens are Telling, Haydn; anthem, the Palm Branches, Faure; Gi in E flat, Mor Ward's Island. In addition each boy Mater), Rossin: Gioria Tibi, in jackson; hymn, Calm on the Listening Ear of Night (soprano and boritene, duet), Verdi; offertory, Praise to Thee Thou Great Creator, Costa; recessional, f ‘Trisagion, Greatorex; encharis Mean Those Holy Voices ? Gtoris in Exvelsis, Greg- ne in A flat, Spohr; cream, each fe hymn, Hark! what ited with » warm flan: shirt and two pairs of woollen stockings. The money to provide this Obristmas treat was sent. by Gen- eral James H. Van Alen, Villa Peyronnet, Arcachon, the inmates will be HAPEL. enite and Gloria Patri, chant; Te Deum, Wingham; Jubilate in F, Garrett; anthem for introit, Sing, 0 Heavens! Berthold Tours; hymn, When Shepherds Watened, W. T. Best; Gloria Patri, adaptation; offertoriam for organ, Lemmens; offertory, Blesring, Glory, Wis- dom, Tours; Sursain Corda, Garrett; Atwood; Gloria in Ixcelsis, in B flat, Garrett. quartet consists of Mrs. M. I. Jeffery, soprano; Miss omina Schnitz, alto; Mr. K. F. Jobn Saunders, basso, supported by a Mrge thorns, #t, MARY'S CHURCH. n, Hallelujah Chorus, Messiah; chorus, Adeste Fidelis, Novello’s arrangement. Sentences, &c.—Vaen- ite, Woodward; psalms for the day, 1, 45 and 85; Glo- ard and Berg ; First Lesson, Isaial Koteschmer; Second Lea- son, yg hon chapter to Ith verse; Jubilate, Berg; prayer; roit, 94h paalm of the pralt eed, Tibi, Bristow, H; Messiah; Presentation of Al nion setvice—Trisayton Deo, ancient. George CHURCH OF KP. JOHN THE KVAS half-past ten o'clock; processional, traditional, Venite, eighth Gregorian Benedictua, anthems in Hark! the Herald Tibi; Hymn 23, ren; ascripti Cantiqne de No Services at eleven A. M. FOURTH WARD SCHOOL. ‘The annual exercises by the children of the Fourth Ward Industrial School, Children’s Aid Society, took place yesterday at the school room, No. 14° Dover street, The principal, Mrs. 8. A. Seymour, had prepared an excellent programme of solos,dusts, choruses, rewd- ings, recitations and dialogues, re were well ron. © the Children’s Aid Society, presided, and were made by Mr. J. W. Skinner, superintendent; patrons of the rominent ladies interested in the school so presont,and expressed their satisfaction with the great improvement made by the scholars After the exercises each child ir of now shoes, and suitable a cand: ei seo each, oh they ing aj jes and candy was ven - let vero T titties cae we i rom de- fourteen years. ye litt ones wero y lighted with their presente. HOW MUCH ¥OR YOUR KISSES? To 11% Eprron ov tae Herat If we could only gather the many incidents that usually oceur and pase during busy shopping days— just sich as woe have had during the past days— your columns would be inadequate, and the reader would doybtless call them the “happy days of About three P. M. on Monday last » oity young lady, with » most intelligent petite form, entered one of our prominent candy stores, and with wm energetic twist, consequent on cold weather, thus addressed the modest youth Vehind the counter: “ow much is the price for your Kiss The modest youth, not yet o voter, redled back, slightly fainting. in the collur, soon tallied and snswered, “Well, that depends on the price and quality. Have ‘ou been selling many?” This with am intelligent inkle in the feather of ber bat. ‘The youth smoothed his red mui ing of his little sister at hoi don't sell our kisses before Chi served for New Year calle!” The young lly, be it eaid, who aotaally wanted sugar kisses, felt too warm and leit the store, home- ward bound, with a burden of pleasant Obristmus gilts, but without the kisses, Kyrie, Garrett; Sanctus in G, Marsden, tenor; Mr. Moore Dupuy, mn No. 17; Gloria, ¥o My’ People, Camidge; Gioria in Excelsis . Bristow, organist. during the past year. wan presented with a Bervices at Adente Kidolis ; tone; Te Deum Landamus, Gloria in G, Maminatt; offertory, Adam, soprano solo, demi and full o communion, Sing We Mer: choral anthem, Novelio; Gloria in Bxcelsi#, old chant; recessional, Bethlehem, Christmas! Ter ymn 23, Hodge's t CHURCH OF THR INCARNATION, Beethoven; Processional, Won- antscript; Christinaa ellest, D, Buck; Gloria Patri in C, Mogart; Gloria, in KE fiat, Mosenthal; Gloria, in E dat, Hauptmenn; Te Dew Jubilate, in G, Walter; Angels Sing, Mondolesoha; Gloria ‘Tibi hywn, When Shepherds Watched their ons; offertory, King, all Glorious, anthem Recessional, Postiudium in ¥, Men- dolssonn; Communion, Trisagion in D, old Gregor- jan; Communion hymn, Come Hither, Ye Paituful, Portuguese; Gloria in Exceisis in G, old Gregorian; Postiudiur in A, Meyerbeer. ST. James’ CHORCH, Carol by children, Hark! ie bent of Heavenly Fantasia on organ and Lr orn; Oantiele, boy » itussells Gloria Patri, Carl Wele; n F, Lloyd; Benedictas, chant, Giivert's collections; hymn, Shout the Ghat Tidings, G, W. Warren; Oftertory, O Thon tut cilewt Hyun, Hark! the Heraid An- . W. Warren, Moly Qommusion; Organ, Preludiam, in ©, erful Night, carol in G, anthem in D,O Zion that Te nost oxhausied. He “How many do you Thy Seat, O God, Festival ‘Te Deum in HOLIDAY TIME. The Momentous Preparations of Christmas Eve. SMILING CITY SCENES. Good Natured Crowds and an Endless Array of Bundles. THE “BOYS” OF WALL STREET. This Morning's Services and After- noon Amusements. ~ The cold, crisp, eager and nipping. air which yes- terday whistled through the metropolis bore on its blasts promises of comfort and Christmas cheer to many hearts, A mild Christmas is of all others the least welcome, for the rude gusts of winter seem & necessary part of our great Christian holiday, Santa Claus may come without his reindeer sled, but at least he is expected to bring such weather with him 2s will justify his own warm outfit, In his visit to the metropolitan city, in which he is especially revered as good St. Nicholas, it was observed last night that hugo icicles formed from his warm breath, hung by his shaggy beard and that even he was content to handle the contents of his pack with gloved hands, Less fayored mor- tals—for, after all, we must regard Santa Clans as one of us, such an important part does he play in our affairs each Christmas Eve—could not find gloves thick enough to keep their Angers from tingling or wraps warm enough to protect their shivering bodies from the wind. In spite of the weather, however, or probably all the more generally because it was so cold and crisp and clear, our whole population was in the streets until a very late hour preparing for the dawn of Christmas Day. IN THE STREKTS AND AVENUES. Bromlway, ail the way from Bleecker street to Thirty-second, where the white fagade of the new Union Dime Savings Bank building guides the pedes- trian into Sixth avenue; Sixth avenue itself, ana Kighth and Third avenues, joined together by the twin arteries, Twenty-third and Fourteenth streets, were crowded all the day and evening by ap eager and busy throng of purchasers, Men and women jostled each other on the side- walks and occasionally an overloaded craft was run down by lighter tugs under full steam, The stores were crowded with a bustling multitude, and on the outside improvised booths were equally busy disposing ‘of Christmas trinkets. At times in the avenues, ‘especially during the earlier honrs which succeeded the dusk, the sidewalks were next to impassable, and the efforis of pedestrians to ex- tricate themselves were constantly impeded by the moving loads of merchandise struggag in every direction. Here was s woman with a buudle of toys in her arms surmounted by a huge turkey for the Christmas dinner; there @ man bearing home .a# Christmas tree and sweeping the street with its branches. In the midst of the multitude ‘here and there were half-dressed boys anticipating the Christmas festival and the ap- proaching season of hilsrity with improvised solos upon penny whistles. Young men occasionally added to this discordant music by hoarse blasts upon tin horns. It was thus Christmas Eve was spent ib the uptown business streets, and Christmas morning had begun before the buying ceased and theloaded present bearers disappeared from the strects. IN THR HOUSES. In the houses there was bustle and activity almost as great. The saunterers in the atreets, if there were any saunterors on such a bitter, freezing night except the newspaper reporters, whose buei- ness it was to note the Christmas prepara- tions, might have sean front doors open steaitliily to admit loads of secret treasure. Peeping through half open blinds they might have seen busy and ‘skilful hands dressing the Christmas tree in ex- pansive drawing rooms or fill the ample stock- ings, not hung as of old in the atditneiteter our modern houses no longer have the old-fashioned Seuer-veerd, in which none but Pennsylvania Dutch- men now rejoice—but in whatever corner the childish fancy chooses. From the*cars of the elevated railroads these glimpses were especially picturesque. Households were revealed busily pre- be for Christmas which were never seen before for the want of this high bare 1] ground. Along Sixth and Third avenues a new city was seen wilich seemed built above our old city gf New York. Chil- dren full of eager anticipations 8° ed the lighted apartments, and the up bound or down bound tray- eller would fain have seen more of this new life as he was hurried by on the dashing train. ‘ON THE ELEVATED ROADS. But striking as were these revelations from the elevated roads, the scenes on the trains themselves were equally interesting and novel. At every station there were long lines of people going up and, down the narrow stairways laden down with all manner of Christmas treasures. The stations themselves had the appearance of booths where toys of every description were exposed for sale. Tm the cars it was alanost impossible to move be cause of the merchandise. One old gentleman kept warning passengers off from his preserves, whith fo jealously guarded. “I don’t know what these tings are,”’ he said; “‘my wife bought them for the grand- children and warned me to i careful.” “What did you get up here for, then?” ywled an impolite passenger, who had no | Heanet ren of hia own to whom to take presents w! might easily be smashed. Getting off the train tuis grumbling indi- vidual met his punishment by stumbling over a baby carriage near and cutting his face by falling on a helmet which « gang German was taking to a still younger Kaiser ‘Wihelm at home. = It isa little odd perhaps that the trains on the elevated railroads should have been utilized as they were yesterday, but throughout the duy each #uc- ceeding car presented the appearance of being # com- Vined toy shop and Washington Market stall, and the business on both lines was simply immense. IN THR, But great as were the ctivity ta the wy town houses and the crowds in the uptown strects downtown markets were even more active and orowded. These wore the marts from which the day’s dinner was pro- vided, and the scene was one which weil nigh Dalits description. np 8 rows of big de were arranged on hooks where but the day before were tempt- ing steaks and sugar-cured hams, and each one seemed to the cautious purchaser for the bonor ot forming his Christmas dinner. nik in ail directions were huge market baskets filled with.every luxury Sine could be the appetite on the great fae ier of the year, and the surging, swelling, , impetn ons crowds acted as if there waa onl, ame notte im one day in the year in which to buy that was noces- sary for its ermine festival, This waa especially noticeable at Washington Market, where all day long, and almost all night long as well, the jostling crowds ‘were evor moving and yet apparently always on the standstill Although there was a little swearing now and then from the men when SRS ie ket basket into their unp cted riba, &@ little shrieking from the women when somebody with clumsy feet tote the undefended “gat! from their gowns, good humor prevailed as a rulo—and so the dey and night wore away. The purchases ere completed at last, and this morning the Ohrist- mas trees are blooming, the stockings are revealing thetr expected treasures and the larder gives glimpses of the coming feast. THE ANNUAL JUBILEE OF THB BULIG AND BEARS—ANTICS OF THE BROKERS IN THR ®TOUK EXCHANGE, ‘The “bulls” and “bears” of Wall street held their regular Christmas festivitics in the Stock Exchange building yesterday. Unlike other yoats, when the gallery was open to all visitors, some of the members of tne Committees of Arrangements determined to make yesterday's fan exclusively for the benefit of the members, their families and friends. It was claimed that in former years the lady friends of the mombers wero prevented by the im- meonse crowd from witnessing the performance, and in order to stop this policeman and the Stock Exchange detective were stationed on the stairs leading to the gallery and no one was ad- mitted unless introduced by » member. At ten o'clock the gallery was crowded, chictly by the fair sex, and on the rostrum, with Vice President Stead and Vice Chairman Mitchell, were a dozen children, who came to watch their fathers in their Christmas frolics, When the hour for tho first call (half-paat ton A. M,) arrived, the brokers, insiead of crowding around the chairman’ desk, #8 usual, moved in an opposite direction until they reached the end of the room farthest from the rostrum. The call wae Zwwhed throw rapidly, hardly gucupsang four we Seen the vice chairman being drowned by the loud made by the members. At its close a procession was formed, headed by four drummers of the Seventh regiment drum corps and 4 cornet piayer and joined by nearly every broker on the floor, eaci: provided with either a tin horn, a baby’s rattle om some other instrument capable of ren’ ig dia- bolical noise. STARTING THE BALL. After one or two tours of the Board room the peas cession scattered, and the next moment a football, thrown at “’Cross-town Carey,” bounded trom that gentleman's head and was kicked around the room, to the detriment of many high hats, Fortunately the glass globes on the gas fixtures had been removed, oF Very little of them would have been left at the close of the football match. bua § by lg a broker gave the ball avery hard kick, Ing it among the ladies in the seer. and injuring sev- eral fine bonnets, Ti sport faa subsided, and then .the Glee Club of the Stock Exchange entertained their visitors with several of their pop- ular glees, the favorite being “Drink it down, drink it down,” &c, All this time were getting crushed and kicked, and very few individuals esca, without damage to their head » The st hed to the shades on the windows were tui into lassos, in which the hats of ager mage members were caught when the spring roller was started and, to the owner's surprise, his hat was suspended in mid- air out of reach, Whenever a crowd of brokers would collect to sell or bid on stocks they would be imme- distaly encircled with @ rope, aud oe ae froa one end of the room to the other. Broker Young put in an appearance in the gallery, and, on being recognizad, was greeted with cries of “Speech 3) 3” “Come down on the floor.’* “Police “Police !” and ‘Khock off his hat.” An accommodating broker in Mr, Young’s rear complied with the last request and sent the bat down among the howling mob below, where it was received with cheers, For ten minutes it was kicked around and flung in tho air, and finally restored to its owner by one of the crowd in the Board room, who threw it over the heads of the people in the gallery. For tho second time the ee] was knocked off Mr, Young's head, and at last that gentleman thought it the best policy to go below and secure it hlinselfr Two sone tlemen visitors were noticed smoking in the gallory (which is against the rules), and were considerably trightened by the unearthly yells of the brokers to “Put out those cigars.” BUSINESS OUT OF OLDER. At twelve o'clock Vice President Stead called the members to order, and asked forthe yeas and uays on a motion of Mr. 8. V. White to close the Exchange at two P.M. yesterday and not to open until cleven A. M. to-morrow. ‘The shouts of those favoring the motion was tremendous, but when the nays wero called for every one in the building seemed, by the noise, tobe on that side. The yeas were then re- quested to hold up their hands, and to the surprise of the presiding officer almost every broker held up both hands, and the motion was decided carried. The Governing Committee subsequently decided, as ‘ane nounced to the members by President Ives, that the Exchange must be kept open until three P. M. yes- terduy, because stock deliveries had to be made at quarter-past two P, M. At two o’clock a rope was vb pliers and the mem- bers, being eq aay divided under the leadership of S.J. Drake and B, Ht, Halstead, commenced a tug of war. For some time they pulled one another in all directions, but at last the party with Mr. Drake as leader determined to use a little strategy. They man- aged quietly to tie their end of the rope to one of the lars of the Exchange, and laid on their oars watch- ing the struggles of their antagontsts to drag them across the room. The latter finally became ex- hausted, and then their rivuls, with very little effort, pulled them over to their side of the house. Tho strategem of Drake's team was discovered afterward and was the cause of much merriment.” At three o’clock the gong sounded and tho-members quictly dispersed. 6 THE NORMAL COLLEGE—HOLIDAY BECEPTION BY THE GRADUATING CLASS—A DRAMATIC ENTER< ‘TAENMENT. The chapel of the Normal College presented an un- usually gay and pleasing appearance yesterday morn- ing when, according to daily custom, the young ladies of that institution marched in at ten o’clock to the time of a lively march and filled up all the seats on its floor. The large gallery was already filled with ladies and gentlemen, the guests of the graduating class, who were about to celebrate the opening of their last Christmas holidays by a reception and dramatic exhibition. Presi- dent Thomas H. Huuter, Commissioner W. H, Wood and the members of the faculty of the college occupied seats on the platform, and from that uccustomed centre of gravity out to the farthest confines of the room 4 series ot smile-waves seemed to ripple over the faces of the whole assembly, brightening teachers, scholars and visitors alike. In fact, after the reading of the Scriptures and the sing- ing of the Sicilian Hymn by the young ladies all serie ousness seemed to be abandoned for the occasion, and the usual stately routine of coilege exhibitions was completely set aside. Firsta number of young ladies recited quotations from weil known writers, Most of these were of a humorous nature, and sonie bearing direct reference to the college and ite habitués, and evidently manufactured for tha oceasion, were received with bursts of silvery laughter by the fair undergraduates. Presideut Hunter, in making bis address, entered completely into tho spirit of fun-making that prevailed. Atten wishing the scholars the compliments of the seasorm he gave an account of the deliberations of the faculty of a Siamese normal college, just forwarded to him by special cable despatch. It was reccived with much applause and lsaghter. Mise Bauch then sang “My Lovely Child, Good Night,” by Abt; and Miss Ken- nard gave Gilbert’s “Bonnie Sweet Bessie,” both betng Tewatded with loud applause. Commissioue: ‘W. H. Wood then mude u few remarks expressive o! the kindest wishes which he felt for the college and its students. A CHINES: DRAMA. ° As the last strains of Mendelssohn's ‘Greeting,”* which was beautifully sung in harmony by the cole, Jege, died away, 4 marked movement of curiosity an: interest among the spectatots tuok place. The dons. deserted the platform, which waa rapidly ar. ranged for the performance of # drama illustrative of normal instruction at the antipodes, in which number of the young ladies purticipated. The dramatis persone were:—Hon, Bat An, Chief Mandarin, of all the of Peek In; Hon, Wig Wam, Chie& Organizer, ih Functionary and Grandee Pienipo- tentiary; Dr. Nim Rod, Chief Show How of the Great Pagoda of Peek In; Pay Mee, Show How of in and Literature in the G. P. of Peek In; Gil Lot, ditto of Mathematics; Slay @itls, ditto of German; Ku Ochs, ditto of Physiology; Bru In, ditto of Bengalle; An Sing, ditto of Music; Al Hassin, a noted Traveller and Story-telier of Arabia, just arrived in Peek In trom New York; Molee Cule, Semee Téne, Vi Shun, Ang Tomes, Clas Sik, Students of the Groat Pagoda of Peek in: sScene—The Great Pagoda of Peek In. ‘The drama was a funny caricature of the manners and customs of normal college girls, their instractora and the “dis! ished visitors” who from time to time appear at the institution. The performors were elaborately attired the costume of the Celestial Empire, oud several of them acted with excellent cflect, ‘displaying much humor and dramatic ability. It wes received with loud plaudits and roars of laughter. ‘The following is a synopsis of the incidents :— Act L—Hall of assembly in the Great Pagoda. Studente assemble and sing. Rules read. Chow-chow by student Hon. Rat Tan introduces distinguished visitor. Spoect o . Hom. Wig Wam's few words, Students rotire, ome. Act IL—Cinss room in Great Pa; Student’ trints. Pay Mev's cloguence. Tho fenst of rice, Dr. Nim Rod's! grout work, “My nuind fo mo « kingdom is.” Act ot a dents’ hall of the Great Roped. Bra | soliloquy. Why the Show Hows inew Whut the Sho Hows did, What Bru In thought, (A lapse of tex months must be sapposed betwoen Act ITE. and Act IV.) Act 1V.—Uleas room ju Groat Paxode,, Keoult of the oxe @ Show Hows. Colestial Vision | Act VcAscmbly ball of Grout Pagoda | Students chorus, “Recitation. Distribution of prises by Hon. RB Tun. Valedictory. AT THR WILSON MISSION. At the Wilson Mission Industrial School, No. 125 St. Mark's place, there was held yesterdsy afternoon @ grand Christmas festival for the children who attend the school during the week. There were 250 of theme all gitls, ranging in years from four to twelve. They: wore assembled in tho main room on the lower floor prior to being brought in view of the large Ohristmas tree, which was placed iu what is called the kitehen garden room, ‘The children had been told to be present at two o clock to receive their gifts, and the look of anxious expectancy on each Little face while waiting for the order to move up stairs was plainly discernible, Miss Huntington, the matron, ut last announced that all was ready, and the little ones were marchea up in single file, singing some of their school songs as they procecded, They were first brought into the ee of the institution, where they were received ® committee of ladies, some of whom had ci of an immense pile of boxes of candy, others of a table full of pee colored woollen scarfs, dnd others, again, of a plentiful supply of cakes and oranges, DELGNTED LITTLE GUNMA. Fach child was presented with a substantial scart, a box of candies, a bag of cakes, an orange anda toy When they were brought in full view of the big C! mas tree, its branches laden down with all sort sizes of gayly dreswed dolls, then their eyes expanded with gonuine delight, and as each little girl received, oy eR arpa for ae Fg poi her thanks ot mi a slight courtesy to the los Kurrounding ihe tree. The children Tort the building all Seite happy, Joyous faces aud all perfectly satisfied with their share in the Christinas festivities. For an hour or #0 afterward these little girls could be seen in the streets in the vicinity of the school exltbiting their dolls and sharing their candies with any number of other little girls. To-day the children of the Sunda; school, boys and girls, to the number of 600 wit receive theit Christmas presents in the chapel, ‘Thore will also be a series of exorcisos, consisting of the singing of Ghristuus carols by the children and addresees by Rev, Dr. Taylor and others, MINDI'UL OF THE ORPHANS, At the French Orphan Asylum, under tho caro of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, in Thirty-ninth strest, betwoon Seventh and Kighth avenues, a very inter esting ceremony was witnessed last evening. It haw been the custom of a young son of Dr. H. F, Quackenbows for the past two or thive yeara to present handsomely decorated Ghriatmas trees ou Christinas Lye w the little ones of the agyltua. La Chung, Alawt Quackonbous didpot forest