THE DAILY EVENING TELEGRAPH TIU PLB SHEET PHILADELPHIA, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 18G0.
3
MERRY CHRISTMAS,
The Crowning Festival of the
Whole Year.
Some of it Time-honored Custom
which are Still ia Vogue, and
' Borne which have Fallen
into Neglect.
When ChriHt wna lom of Wary free,
In Itctlili'lmm. ttiut fair rltin,
Angela sang there with mirth anl glee,
Jn Excelnia Gloria!
HenlHincn beheM these angel bright,
To them appearing with great light,
Who said :" joil son is born thia night."
In ExceUti Gtorial
This King is come to Have mankind,
An In Nuriptnro troth we find,
Therefore thlB long huve we in mind,
Jn ExreUis Gloria !
Thon, dear Lord, of Thy great grace,
irant tix the Miss to Bee Thy face,
Tlmt we may aiug to Thy solace,
In Hxcthit Gloria !
Christmas Day, the Christ Child's Blrth-day, that
reason of rejoicing, of merry making, of gift giving,
of feasting, of gladness of heart, and of peace an
good-will to all classes and conditions of men, is
agala npon ns. Another evening and another dawn
will ace us fairly launched on Its great sea of hap
piness. The season Is not only a time for rejoicing, but is
also a time for conveying joy. To fully observe
Christmas, we must endeavor to make others happy
as much as we strive to minister to our own enjoy
ment; and let all remember, while In the height of
their rejoicing, that there are many human beings
who are not highly favored In this world's goods,
who know no merry Christmas, no happy New Year.
Towards such let the purse, as well as the heart
strings, be loosened, and you will have the pleasure
ol reeling that the trne spirit of Christmas has been
in you namely, giving as It has been given.
It la pre-eminently becoming that the day which
saw the great gift of God to man the Chrtst-chlld
should be observed In a joyous manner, and by
the giving of gifts from man to man. May the day
Mill be kept from age to age In the right spirit, and
let ns never forget, in the accumulation of new
observances, its high and holy origin.
The (Doarce of the Christina Festlvltl.
Considering that Christmas is pre-eminently a
Christian festival, it would seem strange thnt many
of the customs peculiar to the day are to be traced
liack to healhenlsh sources for their origin. When
the riliTcreut European nations were first converted
to Christianity, It wax found that the rites peculiar to
their former faith had taken such hold upon the
popular heart, that It was almost Impossible to pre
vent their continued observance. The early mis
sionaries, therefore, made the best of this circum
stance by engraftiug on t ho ancient ceremonies and
uperstitlona of their converts the principles of
the new faith which they had accepted, thus render
ing tie transition less sudden and less obnoxious.
This was particularly the case with respect to
Christmas in Great Britain, from which country we
have borrowed nearly all of our own methods or de
serving it. The origin of the principal ceremonies
was the Saturnalia of the Romans.
At different times, to the peculiarities or the
Saturnalia were added the weird rites of the Druids
and the grim observances or the Baxon mythology;
and from this odd mingling or Pagan ceremonials
sprang the Christmas festivities or our forefathers.
Among such may be noticed the peculiar customs
and observances or the olden times, the bringing in
and lighting or the Yule log, the hanging or the
mistletoe, the decoration with evergreens, the boar's
head, the carols and waits, aud many merry fireside
games.
The Ilintory of t'hrlstnme.
- Having received the countenance or the Church,
and being based on customs which were revered by
the common people, Christmas continued down to
the Reformation to lie celebrated throughout the
Christian world with great rejoicing. When the
Protestant sects sprang into cxlstonce, this great
festival, In common with many others on the Roman
calendar, retained its place among the customs of
the Lutheran and Anglican Churches ; but by the
adherents or Calvin it was rejected in tot, as with
out any warrant in Scripture. It was to the pre
valence or this spirit among the Turltan settlers or
New England that wo owe the origin or our national
festival or Thanksgiving. As Scotland was the
country In which the Culvinistic doctrlues became
most prevalent, it was there that the clergy made
the most determined efforts to de away with the ob
servance or the obnoxious festival. The result
or this course is the absence, even at the present
day, or anything In the way or festivity on Christ
mas, except In the Highlands and the county of For
far. But even in the Calvlnlstlc Lowlands the tend
ency to rejoicing at the close of the year is so irre
pressible that New Year's Day and the preceding
evening, known as nwrnanay, are seasons of gene
ral jollification. In this country, while Christmas
was formerly regarded by the Presbyterians with as
much aversion aa It is by those of their belief in the
Old World, It has at last come to be observed by
them generally, but merely aa a season or festivity,
without partaking or any sanctioned rellgloui char
acter. Anrlmt Cbrlntmna ffnortN Had easterns.
The gathering or the sacred mistletoe waa among
the great events or Christmas time with the ancient
Britons and Druids, by whom the plant was held in
great veneration, especially when round clinging to
the oak. On this occasion a party of the people
would sally forth with all the paraphernalia of re
joicing, the Druids or prlesta at their head, to gather
the bjjsUtIous plant. On reaching the oak two
white bulla were first secured to It, and then the
chief Druid, arrayed in robes of white, to typify hla
purity, ascended the tree, and with a golden kalfe
severed the sacred plant, which was caught in fall
ing in the robe or another priest. The bulls, and In
gome instances human victims aa well, were then
sacrificed, after which the plants thug gathered were
divided among the people aud by them hung up in
apraya over the entrancea to their dwellings. Not
only was the plant considered to possess the power
to propitiate the sylvan deities during the season or
frost and snow, but it was held to impart a healing
Influence to all who thus revered 1U
This plant has not been Introduced to any extent
Into the decoration or Christian churches, but where
It can be easily obtained It has been used extensively
la the adornment or private houses. At the present
day It Is extremely rare in Englund, and almost un
known in our own country. Hut It wtill nourishes In
great luxuriance on the apple trees of Uloucestcr
nire and Worcestershire, where large quantities are
cut during the Christmas season aud forwarded to
London and other important cities, to be used in the
decoration of houses aud shops.
One of the most enticing games of ChriHt mas eve
is conueoted with this pluut. A branch of It Is sus
pended from the wall or celling, and when one or
Mm gentler sex passes under it, either purposely or
by accident, she incurs the pcuulty of being kissed
by any one of the less gentle specimens of humanity
who covets the privilege. Aud If Khe be not kissed,
jr. Is generally believed that she will remain single
during 'ho whole of the coiuiug year.
The decoration of churches and private houses
with greens is among the oldest customs connected
with the season. For churches, while it haa been
outttornary to employ nearly all the seasonable vari
eties of evergreens, the pianta that are held in the
highest favor in England are the holly, bay, rose
mary, and laurel. The ivy ia also used, bnt from its
associations with Bacchus and the infernal orgies
celebrated In bis honor, It la generally considered
undesirable. It Is still the custom, however, at the
two great English Universities to deck the windows
of the wllege euapeia with this plant. Cypress,
also, la o me time excluded on accouut of Its funereal
aewoojatioiia.
In this country, where many of the more appro
prune evergreens are bnt scantily produced, the
cedar, box, and pine are employed, from the neces
sities of the case.
For houses, every available shoot of green ia
pressed Into service, although holly ' and Ivy have
usually the preference. In Oxfordshire, England,
there was a peculiar penalty attached to the neglect
of this ceremony. The maid-servant would requost
the man to furnish a supply of Ivy for decorating the
honse; and U ror any reason he did not comply, he
was soon horrified by the apparition or a pair or his
breeches nailed np to the gateway.
The procession and lighting or the Yule log Is
another time-honored Instit ution, though now mostly
disused. A modified form, sadly shorn or tho pomp
and ceremony which rormerly attended It, is still re
tained In some sections or England.
The ceremony of bringing In the Yule-log was
conducted in the following manner: The party re
paired to the woods where the log lay, and having
placed themselves In the harness, dragged it In
triumph to the hall, each wayfarer raising his hat as
It passed. Arriving there, they were greeted by the
minstrels with a song.
The log was then rolled npon the ample hearth
and Ignited with a coal from the remnant of the
Yule-log or the preceding year. This done, a candle
or monstrous size was lighted, and then the Christ
mas party made themselves merry with music and
wassail.
The festival of the winter solstice, as celebrated
by the ancient Goths and Saxons, was termed Juul
or Yult, by the latter or which terms Christmas Is
still known in the Scottish dialect. The term Is most
probably derived from the Gothic word glut or Aiut,
from which is derived the English "wheel," and
which haa the same significance. Juul, or Yule, la
therefore supposed to signUy the turning point of
the year, a supposition which Is confirmed by the
fact that in the old clog almanacs the Yule-tide la
designated by the device of a wheel.
Another of the ancient sports of Christmas was
the procession of mummers or maskers, who were
accustomed to array themselves In the most out
landish and fantastic costumes, combining all the
oddities of men and brutes, and then make the
round or the principal houses within tn.elr reach, to
the intense delight or old and young. The ceremony
was not strictly confined to the Chrismas season in
old times, although it ia at present, wherever prac
tised in England. At Tenby, In South Wales, it is
kept np for three weeks, every house in the town
being visited. In Scotland, mumming or gulslng is
performed at New Year, as are all the other festivi
ties or the winter-solstice.
Still another was the Lord or Misrule or the olden
time. This functionary, in a word, was the master
or the Christmas Revels. We have the rollowing
account or the custom by Stow: "In the reaat or
Christmas, there was in the Klng'a house, whereso
ever he lodged, a 'Lord or Misrule,' or Master or
Merry Despoils, and the like had ye In the house or
every nobleman or honor or geod worship, were he
spiritual or temporal. The Mayor of London, and
either ot the Sheriffs, had their several Lords or
Misrule, ever contending, without quarrel or offense,
who should make the rarest pastime to delight the
beholders. These lords beginning their rule at All
hallond Eve, continued the same till the morrow
after the Feast or the Purification, commonly called
Candlemas Day, In which space there were flue and
subtle dlsgnlslngn, masks, and mnmmeries, with
playing at cards ror counters, navies, and points, in
every house, more ror pastimes than ror game."
In the University or Cambridge this functionary,
regularly elected from among the Masters of Arts,
was termed Jmperator, or J"Ttrfectus Ludurum, and
bla duties were not only to superintend the diver
sions of Christmas, bnt of the annual representation
of the Latin plays by the students as well. A simi
lar custom prevailed at Oxford.
In the Inns or Court in London, the Lord of Mis
rule reigned in great splendor, being surrounded by
all the paraphernalia of royalty, Including a lord
keeper and treasurer, a guard or honor, and two
chaplains, who regularly preached before him in the
Temple Church on Sunday. Ills sovereignty termi
nated on Twelf lb-Day. In l&iu, this mock-royal per
sonage expended 2000 out of his own pocket, and
In return received the honor of knighthood at the
hands of Charlea 1.
Aa an illustration of the outrageous license en
joyed by these functionaries, we subjoin an extract
from tho "articles" by which the Bight Worshipful
Richard Evelyn, Esq., constituted Owen Flood, his
trumpeter, the "Lord of Misrule of all good orders
during the twelve days:"
"I Hive free leave to the said Owen Flood to com
mand all and every person or persons whatsoever,
as well servants as others, to be at his command
whensoever he shall sound his trumpet or music,
and to do him good service, as though I were pre
sent myself, at their peril. I give full power and
authority to his lordship to break up all locks, bolts,
tiara, door?, ami latcnes, anu to inner up an doors
out of hinges to come at those who presume to dis
obey his lordship's commands. God save the King!"
The Lord or Misrule commenced his reign by ab
solving all bis subjects from their wisdom, com
manding them to retain Just enough sense to know
how to conduct themselves like fools.
Christmas, Manic.
A distinguishing feature of the "Merry Christmas'
time is its music. In England there is a class of
musicians who are termed "Christmas Walts,"
although it is not known whether the word originally
denoted the muBic, the performers, or the instru
ments npon which they played. Aa early aa the year
1 irtf a fsimnanvnf "wnltfl'1 waa Mtkhlluhpri a.r v tr
concerning whom Symer gives a long account, com
mencing as follows :
'A wavte. that niehtalye from Michelmas to Shreve
Thorsdaye pipeihe tlia watche witben thia court fower
times: in the soinere nvirntes in times, ana maaetne Dun
ravtA at averv ebambere-dore and otfvca. aa well for feara
of pyoasres ana pillar, tie eaieiu in me uaue wiui myu
strinlle and Uketbe lyverye (allowance) at nyghte a lone,
a salone of a lie, etc."
From this account It would appear that, in the
time of Edward II, the "waits" were pages of the
court ; but In later days they were merely minstrels,
whose strains were heard only at Christmas time in
England, and in Scotland Christmas being there
tabooed at New Year. In London, at the present
time, they perambulate the streets at night ror two
or three weeks before Christmas, performing the
popular airs ol the day on various wind instruments.
Their labors cease on Christmas Eve, and soon after
they call npon the Inhabitants for their contrl
buttons.
The singing of Christmas carols is another custom
which has long prevailed In England. The Christmas
carol is as old aa the festival itself, and in the print!
tlve days of the Church it was customary for the
bishop, surrounded by his clergy, to take part In this
simple and beautiful ceremony. In those times the
carol was purely religious, but it arterwarda became
more secularized, and has been sung in the streets,
and other places.
We hear no real Christmas carols In our own conn
try, save once In a great while, when sung as a hymn
by aome Sunday School la their public Christmas
exercises.
A specimen or the secular carol Is round in the
song which In ancient times was sung at the bring.
lng in of the boar's head one of the great Christmas
dishes.
The ceremony of "Bringing in tho Boar's Head" In
these early duys was attended with great pomp and
ceremony. It was tho first and foremost dlah upon
the Christmas table of the feudal chieftains, and
was served in a mauner strictly in accordance with
the boisterous ciiKtoms of the day. Trumpets were
flourished jubilantly, and the minstrels sang their
muiTlcst strains, as the "sewer" strode Into the ban
quet-hall, at the head of a proceislou of stately lords
aud dames. Then, advancing to the table, lie
chanted the iKUir's head carol, tho words and music
of which are well known.
As time advanced the dish camo into some dlsre
piite;aud when Parliament, during the Common
wealth, endeavored to extinguish Christmas by sta
tute, tho boar's head became a thing or the past, in
some corners or England, however, the ceremony
of bringing in this dish yet lingers; while at Queen's
College, Oxford, It la still an established Institution.
Christinas Dlahr, Aat-lrnt and Modern.
Thr dish that ranked next to the boar's head in
ancient timea waa the peacock.
Thia vaingiorioua bird was considered a rare
treat, and waa served n a corresponding style.
First stripping off the skin without disturbing the
glittering plumage, tho bird was roasted whole, and
then recommitted to his original covering; the
beak, and frequently the whole body, waa :thcn
covered with gold-leaf, and sometimes a piece of
cotton, dipped in spirits and ignited, was placed in
bis bill. Within the bird reposed splcea and herbs,
and without was a plentiful supply or mutton gravy
and the yolk or eggs.
The lady-guest or noblest birth or most bewitching
beauty waa selected to bear thla royal dish into the
haU: and rollowing her, to the sound or music,
came the rest or the dames, In the order of their
rank.
Sometimes, however, the peacock was served In a
pie, at one end of which hla crest appeared, while at
the other protruded the gorgeous feathers of his tail.
But the ttlsh that haa an irresistible charm for the
Englishman, all over the world, Is hla Christmas pud
ding. This affair is or quite modern origin, although
it had its progenitor in the plum-porridge or ancient
days. This last was so highly esteemed that it was
always served with tho first course. Into this com
position entered the broth or beer or mutton, thick
ened with brown bread ; ami, when hair boiled, with
a further admixture of raisins, prunes, currants,
cloves, glnger.and mace.
Tho plum-pudding, to which the delectable por
ridge has given place, Is so well known that no
enumeration of lta Ingredients Is necessary in thia
place.
Next In order to puddings and porridge come the
Christmas or mince pies, and of these the English
man Is not permitted to make a monopoly, although
he Is entitled to the high honor of their invention.
As ear'.y as IBM Christmas pics were popular nnder
the title or "mutton pies." At a later period neat a
tongue took the place or mutton, the remaining in
gredients being nearly the same aa at present.
So highly esteemed at one time were these Christ
mas plea that a watch waa always set upon them, to
forestall the depredations of thieves.
C'hrlatmaa Superstitions.
No other season In the year no other festival in
the calenlar la accompanied by so many singular
fanclca and actual superstitions as Christmas.
One or the most ancient and curious or these was
that concerning the crowing or the cocks.
Silent during the hours of darkness throughout the
rest or the year, it waa believed in olden tlmea that
"thla bird or dawning" crowed from the setting of
the sun on Christmas eve to Its rising on Christmas
morn. Shakespeare haa noticed this superstition
and turned it to good account in one of the ghost
scenes of llamleU It was also believed that no
spirits or fairies walked the earth at that time.
In old times there was a prejudice among the peo
ple of Scotland against spinning on Christmas day,
they believing that it was nothing less than sacrilege
to be so engaged. The Calvtnlstlc preachers, over
flowing with anti-Christmas prejudices, took especial
pains to rid their flocks of this idea.
In the counties of Cornwall and Devon, in England,
it waa long believed, and It la probable that the no
tion still lingers there and in other out-of-the-way
places, that at 12 o'clock the cattle in their atolls
would rail upon their knees and make "a cruel moan,
like Christian creatures."
It was the custom throughout England to deposit
In some secure place the charred remains or tho
Yule log, from which to light Its successor on the
ensuing Christmas. And it was believed that the
preservation or this remnant would unfailingly
secure the house against Are throughout the coming
year.
So, too, if a person who was troubled with a squint
should chance to enter the hall while the log was
burning, the omen waa considered unpropltious. A
like Idea attended the arrival of a person with bare
feet, more especially when that person happened to
be a flat-footed woman.
K a person unluckily anu ffed out a candle, his or
her pairing with one or the opposite sex during the
coming year was a thing not to be thought of; un
less, Indeed, a spark should remain, from which the
candle could be rekindled by blowing on It. So it
was believed that bread baked on Christmas Eve
would never mould ; and when Christmas fell on a
Sunday, good luck awaited every one, while tho re
verse was the case when the festival happened on a
Saturday.
Christmas Presents.
The crowning glory of the Christmas season is
the ChriBtmas gift. It Is In tho expectation or this
that the young hearts or every Christian household
beat high and wild with hope ror many weeks. And
not alone by them are the amenities or the holiday
season thus looked rorward to with eager longing.
Sad, indeed, is the lot or him or her for whom, on
ChriBtmas morn, there is not at band some token,
however slight, of the remembrance or relatives and
friends. Such a one ia virtually an outcast, a being
who has no place at the Christmas board or around
the Christmas hearth.
Closely connected with Christmas gifts are Christ
mas charities. While the former passes only from
relative to relative, or from frlond to friend, the
latter embrace all humanity, and have special refer
ence to the poor. In almost all Christian lands it
has been the custom for the rich to furnish the
poor In their neighborhood with a substantial
ChristmBB' dinner, in addition to thebeBtowing of
various other favora on that great holiday. So, too,
in the public corrective Institutions, it Is usual ror
the corrupted and impoverished elements or the
population to be treated to a feast that does not
shame the day. Theso occasions afford faint glim
mers of that bright and joyous life which throughout
the rest or the year is unknown to the subjects or
poverty and crime.
The Christinas Tree.
The great feature or the Christmas festival in Ger
many ia the Christmas tree. Tins beautiful custom
is almost universal in this country, although in Eng
land It waa quite unknown until within the last quar
ter or a century. In Germany It la a very ancient
custom, and had its origin In all probability in some
or the niedia-'val pageants which were so popular on
the Continent, The tree la usually of fir, although
lioth birch and yew are used. The Christmas tree Is
there alwaya illuminated, the smaller gifts dangling
from the loughs, while the more bulky ones are de
posited around It on the table. In the Cathellc sec
tions of Germany, the Christ-child, rrom whoia the
gifts are alleged to come, is frequently personated by
a person rooeu hi wuu, mm uuariun a crown and
wings of gilt. But this feature, being considered
Irreverent on account oi tue deceit wnicu it involves,
is aald to be falling into disuse.
Our Christmas tree is usually of pine or cedar, and
copies substantially after tho German model,
though probably as a rule not quite so elaborate.
Christmas In I he United Mates.
It Is scarcely necessapy for us to dwell at any
length upon the special observance of Christmas in
our own country, our people are, perhaps, not quite
so boisterous as were their English ancestors, not
entirely given up to that reckless abandon which is
still a marked characteristic oi inn resiivai as eele.
brated in our Mother Country. And yet, we believe
that, outside of New England, where the old Calvtn
lstlc leaven Is not yet extinct, It la the happiest, the
gayest, and the Jollljtt season of the year.
Manvof the churches are handsomely decorated,
and services appropriate to the occasion are held on
Christmas morning. The remainder of tho day, as
well as the preceding evening, and, as a general
thing, the entire week between Christmas and New
Year. Is given up to social enjoyment, especially on
the part of the children. The principal charm
which the occasion has for them, however, 1b that
of the Chrlstmaa gift. The chimney is the favorite
chaunel through which the presents reach them,
and Krlss-Klngle is the patron saint to whom they
are taught to ascribe the unbounded generosity of
which they are the happy recipients. In many
ramlllea the Christmas tree is preferred to the stock
tug, and In many others both are called into requi-
altlon.
And now, having given the principal facts about
the history and observance of the Christmas annlver
sary, we close by giving to every kind reader and, of
necessity, firm menu or tub evininu tklkckai'ii
the time -honored and beautiful compliments of the
aeaaon A Mkmhy chkihtah and a Marry Naw
Yarn.
HOLIDAY OOODS.i
BRONZES!
J. E. CALDWELL & CO.,
JEWELLERS,
No. 902 CHESNUT STREET,
DAVE IMPORTED THIS SEASON THE LARGEST
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WORKS OF ART IN BRONZE
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EMBRACING
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SELECTED AS TUE BEST FROM AllONG TDK
WORKS OF
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rEIFFER,
P. J. MENE,
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Generally.
Paris Mantel Clocks and Side Pieces,
IN BRONZE AND GILT, BRONZE AND MARBLE,
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H OLI PAY PRESENTS!
EXTRAORDINARY INDUCEMENTS TO
PURCHASERS.
Being determined to adapt ourselves to the wants of the
times, and not to be outdone by any one, we have, In a.l
dition to onr
LARGE STOCK OF FINE FANCY GOODS,
Opened a
20 CENT,
80 CENT,
75 CENT.
AND SI
Department, in which will be found an elegant variety to
Rpifcr. from. consisting in nart oi nnfl rrenun .jaruimerea.
rinh i !hinR and Hnhemian v&Nftd. Toilet Hatfl. Klliokinff Htttfl.
Hard Receivers, w ritine iieska, inxstanaH, uiovn, Hand
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wan many novelties in f ancy ana useiui Aruoies. esue.
cially adapted fur the Coming Holidays.
ALL OF WHICH WE GUARANTEE TO SELL
CHEAPER THAN ANYWHERE ELSE
IN THE CITY.
ARNOLD'S.
No. 4G NORTH EIGHTH STREET.
P. S. Store open every evening. li 23 wf-t
CHRISTMAS GIFTS.
"Robin Adair," "The Last Rose of Summer," "Home,
Bweet Home," "The Monastery Bells," "Coming Thro'
the Rye," "Aald Lang Syne," with Choir Selections from
Lucrezia Borgia," La Belle Helena," "The Grand
Duchess," "Trovatore," "Norma," "Martha," and other
favorite Operas, will be found tn our handsome assortment
of Mnsical Boxes, making A BKAUTIFUL AND AP
PBOPRIATK CHRISTMAS GIFT. Made to our own
order and imported direct by
FABR & BROTHER,
No, 324 CHESNUT STREET,
12 17fmw5t BELOW FOURTH.
& C. A. WRIGHT,
No. 624 CHESNUT STREET,
Have Just received a large assortment ol
NEW AND ELEGANT J
lancy Articlos,
Selected In Europe thla season lor their
NOVELTY AND BEAUTY, ESPECIALLY FOR
CHRISTMAS PRESENTS.
Also, a large and beautiful assortment or genuine
MEERSCHAUM riPES,
Whlen they offer lor sale 12 14 Ut
AT VERY REDUCED PRICES.
TTSEFUL AND ELEGANT FANCY ARTICLES,
FOH IIOL.IIK1Y UIFTS.
ROSEWOOD DESKS, RUSSIA AND TURKEY
WIllTIACi.CASUS.
foreign and domestic
VIENNA, PARIS, AND LONDON FINE
lOCltI2T.UOOI:S,
In Russia, Turkey, and Calf.
MASON & CO.,
U26rmwtd25 Ho. SOTCUIEHNUTStrect.
XYLOPLASTIQUE INKSTANDS.TRAYS.PAPER
WEIGHTS, and MATCH BOXES, SCOTCH
GOODS A large assortment.
Wedding; aud Vlaltlng; Curd,
Elf unntly engraved.
N. B. Our patrons will oblige ns by giving their
orders ror engraving intended ror Holiday Presents,
at on early date. mason CO.,
11 gormwtd'io No. 907 CHESNUT Street
"I ROGERS, WOSTENHOLM AND OTHER FINE
- English makes,
Pocket-KmlveM and NoUors.
BRONZE AND CARVED WOOD
in ereat variety.
CARVED PAPER KNIVES, BOOK-MARKERS,
PKN-HOLDER8, TRAYS, MATCH and STAMP
BOXES, In Wood and Ivory.
MASON 4 CO.,
11 8Cfmwtd2S No. 907 CHESNUT Street.
USEFUL PRESENTS
JOLl 8PKOTAC1LKN.
GOLD NOHK HPKtl'f ALKS.
OI'KKA (iliASHKB.
THKHMOMKTfcKS.
ISA V 4 f A tSK K14
UA8KS OK DRAWINO INSTRUMENTS.
M1UKOSOOPKH. HTKRKOlXPK8, KTO.
WltXlAM Y. M. AUJSl'KK,
12 luwfmtJl No. m CUUSNUT btrwrt.
MUSICAL BOXES. j
TO IMPORTERS,
aud
OVMRS OF
WHO NEED
STRAWBllIDGE
Are prepared to buy any
DRY
In large or small lots
FOR CASH DOWN.
Anv parties who own
DRY GOODS,
And need money, are invited to call on us.
STIIAWBRIDGE
N. W. COllNER EIGHTH
HOLIDAY GOODS.
iio7. nor.
CONRAD BROS.
CHltlSTMAS PRESENTS.
COURVOISIERS LADIES' KID GLOVES.
" MEN'S "
ALEXANDER'S LADIES' "
" MEN'S "
Kill IMS TO ORDER,
SCARFS, PARTY FANS,
STUDS, OPKItA CLASSES,
CUFF BUTTONS. DRESSING CASES,
DRESSING GOWNs, ODOK BOXES,
HANDKERCHIEFS, PORTKMONNAIES,
MUFFLERS, CIGAR CASES,
SUSPENDERS. SILK UMBRELLAS,
PULSE WARMERS, CANES,
PERFUME It V.
Everything beautiful in our line la represented ami
for aale cheap at
CONRAD IJROTIIERS',
1107 CIIESXUT STREET,
(GlrarJ Row). 12 18 6t rp
CHRISTMAS PRESENTS.
Wa would call attention to oar large assortment of
French Bronzes,
llexiblo Htandi
WITH FANCY MILK SHADES.
Taper Lamps,
Iorcelsxin Lanterns,
And many other articles that would be suitable presents
combining beauty with utility.
Mistey, Merrill & TMara,
No. 718 CHESNUT 8TKEET,
13 4 stuthlUt PHILADELPHIA.
T T. 1 A If I 12 It, al IK.,
" No. 13U3 OHK8NUT STREET,
Also. No. 100 FULTON AVENUE,
BROOKLYN, N. Y.
HOLIDAY UOOUS,
Such as all the
NEW STYLES OF EMBROIDERIES,
CHAIRS. ,
TOWEL RACKS.
FOOTREST8.
Also, a full line of
PAPER EMBROIDERKD PATTERNS,
WORSTED BILK, BEADS, KTO.
MONOGRAMS DRAWN TO ORDER. 1JJ thamwlm
OPERA GLASSES
FOU CHUISTMAS PRESENTS,
At JAS. W. QUEEN & CO.'S
. OPTICIANS.
No. U24 CHESNUT STHEET,
923 tf
PHILADELPHIA.
R HOLIDAY PKESENTS. A LARGE VA
tmrietyof (JHAIRN.KOt up expresHly for the aeamn.
IVlTI.e larKet collection of OHAIKS FOR OlllL-
1 ' DKBN, all sizes and stylos, now ready. Also, some
entlrelv now deaitm of LA LUES' aud O t NTS' CAMP
CHAIRS, wholeHulo and retail, at
M Hoa. JB aud lfc!6 . BIXTU Street.
13328t I. U. WISLER.
CEN8IBLE HOLIDAY GIFT A BOX OP
j (JH ALLEN'S luitial Paper, embousod or ia colore,
II cent a to 1 , M x ,.
Mo ulautrau allowed or dollar trash sold.
UllALhKH. Hutioner and Knap-aver,
133231. No. 13u8 UUK8M UT plrmit.
MANUFACTURERS
An,
DRY GOODS
MONEY.
& CLOTHIER
description of desirable
GOODS
& CLOTHIER,
AND MARKET STREETS,
AMUSEMENTS.
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF MUSIC.
GRAND ITALIAN OPERA.
REASON OF 1870.
OPENING NIGHT. MONDAY, JAN. &
KUHSCRIPTION
for Secnrpd Scats for the Benson of
TWKLVK NIGHTS ANI TWO MATINKKS,
H PEKEOH MANORS, ONLY flu.
14 PKRFORMANUKH, ONLY 16.
SUBSOR1PTION LIST will open on MONDA.
MORNING, Deo. 27, at U o'clock, at O. U. Trampler's, N
!Jti ( liesnut street.
Full particulars in Saturday's papers. , 12 1
LAURA KEEN E'8
OHK8NUT BTRRFT THKATRK,'
THIRD WEEK ANU LAST NIGHT BUT ONE.
PATRICE,
OR, THE WHITE LADY OF WIOKLOW,
Patrice MissLAUKA KKKNf
GRAND CHRISTMAS MATIN EK AT 2,
Wlifin will be given Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol 1
entitled
CHRISTMAS EVP!:
OR, THE MINKK'8 DREAM.
With BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.
Two Splendid Pieces. Day and Niuht.
Another NEW PLAY in preparation, by Amnricaa
Authors,
CHAMPAONK:
OR, STEP BY STEP,
Written by MATILDA HERON and
LAURA KEKNK.
WALNUT STREET TBEATRE, N. E. COK.
NINTH and WALNUT Streets.- Begins at V to 8.
THIS (Friday) EVENINO, Deo. 34.
Third week of the eminent artiste, and BENEFIT OF
MISS BATKMAN, who will appear for the smwnd time
in her great original character of LEAH, aa performed by
her in the principal cities of Kuropeanu America, in the
celebrated Play, in five acte, of
LEAH.
Leah her original character Miss BATKMAK
In order to accommodate families, a matinee will be gireia
ON SATURDAY (CHRISTMAS) AFTERNOON.
FRIDAY (Christmas) NIGHT,
MISS BATEMAN as...."" LEAH.
MK8. JOHN DREW'S ARCH STREET
THEATRE. Bgins7.'i.
CHRISTMAS WKKK I.TTTLK DORRIT.
TO-NIGHT (Friday), Christiana Eve,
Fir.t Representation nf
LITTLE DORRIT,
With new Scenery and Great Oast.
Mrs. .IOHN DK K W as Mrs. Clennam
Mrs. E. D. WALLACE as Little Dornt
tlur first appearance on any stage.
LITTLE DORRIT MATINEE TO-MORROW,
ChriBtmas Afternoon, at half past one.
TEMPLE OF WONDERS, ASSEMBLY BUILD
J. INib.-4'HRISTMA8 DAY.
COME, LAUGH, AND BE MERRY.
Afternoon Performance at U o'clock. Evening Kxhih'
tionst " 4. And every afternoon and evening during th
Holiilays. SIGNOR BLITZ, assisted by TUEODOH
BLITZ. All the new M.vsterios from Europe.
Admission, 2fo. Reserved Swats. 600. 11 H
FOX'S AMERICAN THBATR.f
OPEN THE YEAR ROUND. EVERY EVENING
Positively Last Six Nights of the Greatest Gymnasts of
the Age, R1ZAKF.LLI BROTHERS, Mad lie Lopo,
Msd'lle Bertha, Little Josie, Pet of California ; Harleotii n
Tom, Fairy of the Lake: Aled'Ue De Rosa. AVKI
TURKS DE8 GRISETTK8. Flo. .... ...
Matinee on SATURDAY AFTERNOON at 9 o'clock.
DUPREZ & BENEDICT'S OPERA HOUSE.
SEVENTH St, below Arch (Late Theatre Comiqae;
MATINKK CHRISTMAS DAY. at 2)4 o'clock.
THIS AND CONTINUE EVERY TCVENLNU.
Gigantic Minstrels and Burlesque Opera Troupe.
Christmas Week-Grtiat Extra Bill. Reongagnmenk
Mr. FRANK BROW Ell, FOR ONE WEEK MORE, ia.
trfulumnir his grout original character of
"HAPPY UNCLE TOM."
Benefit of Mr. FRANK BKOWER Fridav, Deo. 24
Ailiiitssion. nWo. Panmet, 26o. Gallery, fee ia
NEW ELEVENTH STREET O P E R
HOUSE, ELEVENTH Street, above Obesnnt, '
TUE 1AMILY RESORT.
TJARNOKOKS A DIXEY'S MINSTRELS,
the great Star Troupe of the world, in their aaeqaaJIA .
ETHIOPIAN SOIREES,
BEAUTIFUL BALLADS, BONGS.
OPERATIC bKLEOTlONS. d
LAUGHABLE BURLESQUE
EVERY EVENING.
J. L. OARNGROBS. Manager.
K. F. f IMPSON. Treasurer. lWt)ia
VALER'S (LATE MILLER'S) WINTER
OA RDFN, Nos. 7'JO. Kl. 734, and 738 VINE Street.
THE GRAND ORCHESTRION, formerly the property
of the GRAND DI KE OF BADEN, purchased at grer -exnense
by JACOB VALER, of this ciiy, in ooaibiuati
with KLAMER'S ORCHESTRA und Miss NELL1
ANDFItHON, will perform EVERY AFTERNOON au
EVENING at the above-mentioned place.
Admission free. 1 13tl
TEMPLE OF WONDERS, ASSEMBLY BUHJ
INGS. SIGNOR BLITZ
Every Evening at 7. Wodnssuay and Saturday tile
noons at I.
OENTZ AND HASSLER'S MATINEES.
n MUSICAL FUND HA1.I.K lHoSMO, every BATCH
DAY A FTEHNOON at 3 o'oiAtt lu 1