The Charleston daily news. (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, December 25, 1866, Page 1, Image 1

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VOLUME III....NO. 438.] CHARLESTON, S. C., TUESDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 25, 1866. [PRICE FIVE CENTS. TELEGRAPHIC. [SPECIAL TO THE CHARLESTON DAILY STEWS.] Mexican News. WASHINGTON, December 24.-Matimoras advicos to thc 19th state that a courier from Monterey last night reports tho possession, by tho Liberals, of San L( iis Potosi and Seacatccas. Col. GOMEZ, comnin ling at Tampico, declared in favor of OB TEGA, i ..o is supposed fco bc in tho interior of Ta maulip.'. v CASALES and COSTINA pronounced in OMEGAS favor. GALVESTON, December 21.-The gunboat Talla poosa, from Brazos yesterday, reports that CA? NALES had hung CABEDO, and that OBTEGA is be? yond pursuit. GALVESTON, December 2i-Further Fer Talia poosa.-CABEDO was executed on the 21st, and CA? NALES assumed command, as the representative of ORTEGA. -. A general insurrection is expected at Matamo ras, and preparations are making for a general fight. Chaos rules the hour. Washington News. WASHINGTON, December 2-JL-It is stated, on most exec-ent authoi'ity, that seven of the nine members composing thc Committee on Bardes and Ci:- roney, a-o utterly opposed to expansion, and mil heartily support the proposed plans of MC? CULLOCH. T J Indian Contract Investigation Committee lias ?djonrncd to January 3d. Commi:- nioner BOGT claims that charges against him are i .r.do from interested motives by parties vrbose combinations for cheating the Government Lc broke up. It has transjpired that Judge OLDHAM, late Con? federate Senater from Texas, who, on the collapse, vent to Mexico, passed here recently incognito on bis way home. BALTHIOBE, December 21.-Corn declining 3 to ? cents ; receipts 85,000 bushels. Flour very dull. Groceries and Provisions neglected. YICESBUBG, December 24.-A fire commonced on Morris' Block, corner Clay and Front levee, de? stroying a ?block of thirty houses. The block was boundod by Levee, Clay, Mulberry and Craw? ford streets, thirty-three houses; east of Mulberry, bei. 'cen Crawford and Clay to Washington, thir? teen houses; corner Washington and Crawford, a three story brick house was .destroyed. The fire spread to the corner of Mulberry and Crawford, destroying in all about a hundred houses, of which thirty-eight were large brick stores. Two white children and four negroes perished. Six members of the fire companies were killed by accidents. A hundred families are thus rendered houseless. Loss ino millions. . -Cable Dispatches to the New Torie Herald. ALEXANDRIA, Saturday.-SURBATT was yesterday put on hoard the TJ. S. corvette Svoalara^ FLOBENCE, Sunday.-Orders have been received to arm two vessels to support the claims made by Italy upon Turkey, in regard to the affair of the mail stoamer Prince Thomas. Advices from Borne report that tho Pope ap? pears to be in a peevish frame of mind, and little disposed to regard with favor an arrangement with the Italian Government, although ho receives counsels from all .quarters to incline to moderation and appease Italy. Franco supports the efforts of Italy, which have as yet been of no avail. _ Washington News. WASHINGTON, December 24.-The consideration of trials by Military Commissions was first brought to tho notice of the Cabinet on Friday last-the subject which received attention being tho case of Dr. WATSON, of Virginia, notice of which was pre? sented by Ex-Gov. LETCHEB. The President and the Cabinet, in view pf recent decisions of the L8upreme Court, determined that no more trials of civilians shall be permitted before military tribu? nals on any pretence whatever, and the Secretary of War was advised to issue an order to the mili? tary commanders accordingly, with instructions to them also, that when they make arrests of civilians upon any grounds whatever, they shall report the matter to the War Department instanter, and await instructions therefrom before proceeding further. The Secretary of War will issue an order at once in conformity with the decision of the Cabinet. There are several delegations here urging the appointment of Naval Officer at New York, but it is not likely that an appointment will be made for some weeks. The President is not inclined to act just now. The President ordered warrants of pardon to be issued to Ex-Gov. THOS. FLETCHES, of Arkansas, on the recommendation of the Attorney-General; and to N. B. SLEDGE, of Mississippi, on the recom? mendation of the Attorney-General and Wu. L. SHARKEY. The Special Committee to inquire into the cir? cumstances of killing three Union soldiers in South ^Carolina, have postponed their trip to Charleston. ^ The Government has as yet received no detailed I account of SHERMAN'S and CAMPBELL'S visit to Wera Cruz. The Hon. JOSEPH SEO AB has returned from Bichmond, where he has boen in consultation with the members of the Legislature, especially with the leading men of that body. The object of his consultation was to learn what their views were rotative to the adoption of the Constitutional Amendment. He reports that the Legislature is prepared at once to adopt the Amendment, if they ?an have assurances from Congress that this shall he the ultimatum, and that the loyal Senators and Bepresentatives from that State will he admitted -without delay. The members believe that the I Southern Legislatures that have already taken I action and rejected the Amendment, would reverse ?their proceedings and follow Virginia in the course 8 above indicated, if Congress will give the desired ? assurances. Such is the substance of Col. SEQ AB'S Statement. ?T Mexican News. PH NEW YOBS, December 24.-A New Orleans cor? respondent states that JACOB THOMPSON was in ' ?tera Cruz. MIRAMOS has fled to Quartorra, to ? ?cid arrest by BAZAINE, and MARQUES has made a Nodded failure to raise money for MAXIMILIAN. fe...- . . j?cnjan New?. !| NEW YOBK, December 24>-A special dispatch f tates that the condemned Fenians, in jail in Canada, are in a miserable condition, poorly clad, ?i tod have-unpalatable food, etc. '"'?'J: New Orleans Wew?. NEW YOBS, December 24.-A special dispatch ?lys that Gov. Wra^ 'has; t?ritton an important |, -fetter to Senator TBUMBULL, upon SHERIDAN'S ad Death of tko Minister NEW YOBK, December 24.-The Minister of Por? tugal, J. C. FAJAUCTSNO, died at 1 o'clock this morning, at tho res; dence of his son, in Brooklyn, ! at the age of sixty-three. Ho was tho oldest mern- ' ber of the Diplomatic Corps in thia country. Large Sale ot Likely Negroes. BAXTTMOBE, December 24.-Four negroes have boen convicted of larceny, and ordered to be sold bj Jadge MAGBUDEB, at Annapolis. They were sold on Saturday, and some, twenty or thirty farmers were present at the sale. The first ono sold was John Johnson, who bid for himself, and tho auctioneer taking his bid, he was finally knocked down to himself, and became his own purchaser for $37. Another man brought $35, and two girls brought respectively $22 and $30. There was an officer of tho Freedmen's Bureau present at the sale, and it was tb ought that the bidding would have boon moro spirited but for the fact tbat an impression seemed to prevail that the officer in question was about to interfere with tho rights of ?1. -;rcbasers, and releaso the negroes from their custody. SECOND DISPATCH. A warrant was issued to-day by the United States Commissioner, on the oath of Captain YANDEBSI?IP, of the Freedmen's Bureau, against the Sheriff of Ana Arundel county, Md., for selling four negroes under the order of thc Circuit Court. They were convicted for various offences, and were sold under that part of tbe codo wbich applies to such negro characters, instead of sending them to tho peni? tentiary, as in the caso of white mon. This suit will bo tried and appealed to the United States Su? preme Court, as designed by Judge MAGBTJDEB, in order to make a test under thc Civil Bights Bill. Tbc Chicago Tunnel. CHICAGO, December 24.-The tunnel now build ng under the south branch of the Chicago Biver, caved in on Saturday night last, carrying away en? gine and hoisting apparatus, and filling the exca? vation to the depth of twenty-five feet with water. Domestic Markets. NOON DISPATCH. NEW TOBE, Docomber 24.-Gold 133?. Exchange 109. Sight 110. Money 7. Stock market active. Flour quiet and unchanged. State $8 25@11 75; Southern $11@1175. Wheat quiet and steady. Com quiet and firm. Salos 7000 bushels; $112 for mixed Western. Rice dull. Oats quiet and stea dv. Sales 18,000 bushels. Pork heavy. Old Mess $19 25; new $20 25@20 75. Lard dull and heavy; $H@123 for dressed barrels. Hogs Jc lower, at $8 @8 50 for Western. Whiske}' quiet. Barley dull. Cotton dull, at 33J@34 eta. for Middling Uplands. Freights nominal. \ EVENING DISPATCH. Cotton heavy. Salos 1200 bales. "Uplands 33J? 34; Orleans 34J@35. Flour quiet. Sales 3900 bbb. State $8?@11 75; Ohio $10 90@13 25; West? ern $8 20@8 32; Southern $11@16 50. Wheat quiet and without change. Sales 5500 bushels. Amber State $3 ll; No. 2 Milwaukee $2 25. Corn more active and ono cent better. Sales 52,000 bushels of Mixed Western at $1 12. Oats dull. P o visions genorally dull and heavy. Whiskey quiet. Gro? ceries dull. Naval Stores quiet. Rosin $? 5?@$10. BALTIMORE, December 24.-Flour inactive; Chi? cago brands heavy. Wheat e carce and drooping. Corn quiet; White $1 05@106; yellow 3@5. Oats firm, ti0@62. Groceries dull and heavy. Pro? visions very quiet. Meas Pork $22 50. Whiskey drooping; City 23; Pennsylvania 25, ST. LOUIS, December 24.-Flour steady and un? changed. Wheat quiet-Spring $2; Fall ?2 40a2 60. Corn dull and lower-Yellow 85; Mixed 66. Oats dull and lower, 62a68. Rye dull, $110. Barley Spring $110; Fall $1 40. Hay, no change; Lard llallf. Hogs 5Aa6i. Whis ey $2 25. CINCINNATI, December 24.-Flour weak and 25c. ; lower. Mess Pork firm at $19.50@$20. Lard quiet at 11@11|. Whiskey unusually dull and un? changed. Hogs, dull for dead and advanced for five. ABBEST OF A NOBTH CABOUKIAN.-The Baltimore Commercial has the following : About ten days ago a very genteel looking man arrived in this city from North Carolina, and had several business transactions with prominent mer? chants here, giving the name of James Harris, and claiming to be of che firm of Harris & Young, of Taxboro', N. C. Ho purchased a number of h?ls of a-sorted goods of various kinds from Messrs. Charles Beebe & Co., on Lombard street, Griffith & Son, on Charles street, and several other firms, amounting to over $8000, the parties here having beenadvised by telegraph to credit "Mr. Harris" to any amount. The goods were shipped, but upon attempting to collect, the discovery . was made that there was no such firm as Harris & Young, nor had Mr. Harris ever been in Baltimore. The case was given into the hands of Messrs. Smith, Pearson and West, independent detectives, and Mr. Pearson having discovered who the i inpos? ter was, armed himself with a requisition from Governor Swann, and proceeded to Tarboro', N. C., but upon his arrival found that the accused had sold out all he had purchased and had left. Mr. Pearson! discovered a trace, however, and pursued him to Henderson, N. C., where he succeeded in capturing him, and brought him to this city on Wednesday last. The accused, who gave the name of H. F.; Young, underwent a preliminary examina? tion, and was committed to await the action of the grand jury. Mr. Pearson (who, by the way, is a most efficient officer) deserves great credit for the shrewd manner in which he worksd the case to a successful issue. The Kalamazoo Gazette is published by William Shakspeare-and to judge from the following, he wields about as pungent a pen as his great name? sake. Speaking of the case alluded to Dy Rov. Dr. Adger, of a stolen communion service,-the editor adds ; j "There is a large quant'ty of silver and other valuable ware, in use within the sound of the church, j bells in this village, which were stolen from the South by some loyal thieves, and to which they have no more right than they would have to a sheep stolen from their neighbor's pen: yet many of these loyal thieves parade t eir stolen goods, and exult over their ill-gotten gains, and with up? lifted hands and eyes towards heaven, dare to ask God to bless the food they eat from the stolen dishes. Does anybody take ?" '{.Neva Haven Register. DEATH OF A NKGBO MASON.-The New York papers of Monday record quite a demonstration in that city the day previous in honor to the memory of ons Paul Drayton, the "Most Worshipful Past National Grand Master of the Colored Masonic Fraternity of the United States." At the time of his death, which occurred at Charleston, S. C., on Saturday, the 8ch inst., he was on a mission to South Carolina, to organize Masonic Lodges among thc colored people of that State. His ago was sixty-five years. Madame ADELAIDE RISTOBI, who is now playing the concluding portion of her highly successful en? gagement in Philadelphia, will appear at the French theatre in New York on Wednesday night next succeeding Christmas, and will give a short Benson of six performances before she goos c n her West? ern tonr. ELIZABETH, Queen of England, is select? ed fr the opening night. The subscription list wili np doubt be as rapidly filled up as during her former seasons. -"tf??e; Clarion, the official paper of Mississippi, states'that there ar? r. o laws in force in that State Which prohibit freedmen acquiring real estate, but, on thez contrary, they purohase, and the courts make the purchases valid. Nor are they prevented bearing arms, no license being requh-edV " M?SSMABX F. HAMPTON. Gen. WADE HAXWTOV'A Tlie Christmas Holidays. HISTORICAL AND TRADITIONAL. The good people throughout Christendom this day celebrate tho 1856th anniversary of the birth of CHBIST, the Saviour of mankind. This season has always boon set apart as one of rejoicing; in some countries, of tho most riotous merry-making-in others as the occasion of a great religious festival ; but in all as the time for joy and gladness-for opening heart, home and hearth-for bringing sunshine and a glimpse of heaven into this dreary world of labor and of sorrow. Christmas is a blessed stopping-place to the weary pilgrim on tho great highroad of life ; but thrice blessed and a hundred times welcome docs it como to the young and tho innocent, who still stand on tho threshold of life, and can drink the cup of pleasure without thc warning consciousness of the bitter lurking in the lees. SANTA CLAUS, the supposed Saint of Christmas Eve, is tho ono great Christian fairy implicitly believed in, under one name or other, by the children of every Chris? tian land. The Gth of December is properly the day of ST. NICHOLAS, the Confessor, who somehow, in mod? ern times, has become hopelessly entangled with the Christmas holidays. He lived in the fourth century, and was a native of Putara, in Ly cia. Tho legend Bays his pious tendencies woro brought to tho attention of those around him at a very early period of his existence, inasmuch as he re? fused to suck on Wednesdays and Fridays, the fast days of the Church ! He entered the monastery of Sion, near Myra, where, in the course of time, he became Abbott, and afterwards Archbishop of Myra. He shared in the persecution under DIO? CLETIAN, although ho did not suffer actual martyr? dom. His relics were presorved at Myra till the end of the eleventh century, when they were stolen by Christian merchants of Bari,-on the Adriatic, and carried to Italy. No saint, perhaps, has en? joyed a more extended popularity than ST. NICHOLAS. Greek, Protestant and Catholic vie with each other to burn incense on his shrine. He is the patron saint of Bussia. In England no less than 872 churches are named after him. He is regarded as the special guardian of virgins, of children and of sailors. Many legends are told of his Hberality, and from this, doubtless, comes the custom, so honorable to the saint, of giving pres? ents at this time, and imputing the same to the munificence of ST. NICHOLAS. In convents the young kviy boarders used, on the same occasion, to place silk stockings at tho door of the apart? ment of the Abbess, with a paper recommending themselves to "Great ST. NICHOLAS of her cham? ber." Next morning they were summoned togeth? er-to witness the resulte of tue Hberality of the saint, who had bountifully f?ledjtho stockings with sweetmeats. TH H festival is celebrated with great pomp at Bari, where, we have said, his remains are preserved. In Germany he i?s called PELZ-NICEEL, or "NICH? OLAS with the Fur," as he is generally represent? ed wrapped in furs. With groat injustice to the good old Saint, his modern German representation is a kind of ecare-crow to the children, coming frightfully masked and grotesquely apparalled, with switch in hand to punish bad children. He is accompanied by the CHBIST-KETDCHEN (corrupt? ed in this conntry to Kriskinkel), "The Christ child, ttwho brings presents andrewards to the good. Sometimes tho two aro united in one person. The customs vary in the minor particulars with almost every locality. CHEISTMAS EVE IN ENGLAND cannot be better described than we have it in MAB MZON: On Christmas Eve the bells were rung; On Christmas Eve the mass was sung; That only night, In all the year, Saw the stoled priest the chalice rear. The damsel donned ber kirtle sheen; The hall was dressed with holly green; Forth to the wood did merrj -men go. To pether in the mistletoe. 1 : !' : Then opened wide the baron's hall To vassal, tenant, serf, and all; Power laid his rod of rule aside, And Ceremony doned his pride. The heir, with roses in bis shoes, That night might village partner choose. The lord, underogatlng, share The vulgar game of 'post and pair.' All hailed, with uncontrolled delight. And general voice, the happy night, That to the cottage, as the crown, Brought tidings of salvation down! The fire, with well-dried logs supplied, ' Went roaring up-tho chimney wide; .? : The hugo hall-table's oaken lace, Scrubbed till it shone, the day to grace. Bore then upon its massive board Ko mark to part the squire and lord. Then was brought in the lusty brawn, By old blue-coated serving-man; Then the grim bcar*?-bead frowned on high. Crested with bays and rosemary. Well can the green-garbed ranger tell. How, when, anywhere the monster fell; What dogs before his death be tore, And all the baiting of the boar. The wassail round in good brown bowls, Garnished with ribbons, blithely trowla. There the huge sirloin reeked: hard by Plum-porridge stood, and Christmas-pye; Nor failed old Scot and to produce, At such high-tide, her savoury goose. . Then came the merry masquers in.. And carols roared with blithesome din; JU unmelodious was the song, It was a hearty note, and strong. Who lists may in their mumming seo Traces of ancient mystery; White skirts supplied the masquerade, And smutted cheeks the visors made; But, oh! what masqu?is, richly dight, Can boast of bosoms half so light I England was morry England, when ' Old Christmas brought his sports again. 'Twas Christmas broached the mightiest ale; Twas Christmas told the merriest tale; A Christmas gambol oft could cheer Tba poor man's heart through half the year. The customs of the Tule Log and the Mistletoe can both be traced to ancient Druid rites, which were retained or modified by their Christian suc? cessors.! TULE was synonymous with Christmas Eve. Ah old ditty, supposed to belong to the tim? of HENS* VI., begins thus: ?fWelcome be thou heavenly King, Welcome, born on thia morning. Welcome, for whom we shall sing,. Welcome, Yule," eta. Old HEEBICK'3 inspiriting Christmas versea ore worth reproducing : Come, bring with a noise, * My merry, merry boys, ' The Christmas log to the firing; While my good dame abo Bids ye all Re free, . ' ; And drink to your heart's desiring. With tho last year's brand Ught tho new block, and, FOT good success in nis spending, On your psalterieaplay ? U'./.y-L* That sweet luck may : Come while tho log ia a teondlng.* ., Drink now the strong beer, ? Cut the whiterloaf here, The while tho meat is a shredding ; - i S"oi tharare minc?-pie, ..v f.. ?/J!?i And the plums stand oy,v .... To alf tho paste that's a kneading. ??^u'-rirg. Tho customs connoctod with tho Christmas holidays in many parts of England clearly show that these arc tho natural snccossors of tho Roman Saturnalia. This is indicatod cvon in tho versos of Sir WAI>TEB SCOTT, quoted above, and could bo domonstratod still moro forcibly had we time and spaco. Among Roman Catholics, a mass is always cele? brated at midnight on Christmas Eve, another at daybreak on Christmas Day, and a third at a sub? sequent hour in tho morning. A bountiful phaso in popula? superstition, is that which represents a thorough prostration of tho Powers of Darkness as taking placo at this season, and that no evil in? fluence can then bo exerted by thom on mankind. Tho cock is H?. i supposed to crow all night long, and by his vigilance to scare away all malignant spirits. The idea is beautifully exprcssod by Shakspoare, who puts it in thc mouth of Marcellus, in Hamlet 'It faded on tho crowing of thc eek. Some say, that evcr*gainst that season comes Wherein our 'aviour's birth is celebrated, Tho bird of dawning s5ngi;th all night long; And thon, they say, no spirit can walk abroad; The nights are wholesome; then no planets strike. No tairy tikes, nor witch hat 1 power to charm; So hallo w'd and so gracious is the time.' A bolief was long curr ont in Devon and Corn? wall, and perhaps still lingors both thcro and in other remote parts of the country, that at mid? night, on Christmas Eve, the c?telo in their stalls fall down on their kneos in adoration of tho infant Saviour, in thc rme manner as the legend reports them to have done in the stable at Bethlehem. Bees were also said to sing in their hives at the same time, and bread baked on Christmas Eve, it was averred, nevor became mouldy. All nature was thus supposed to unite in celebrating the birth of Christ, and partake in the general joy which the anniversary of the Nativity inspired. THE CHBISTZUAS THEE is essentially a Gorman institution. Of late years it has boen transplanted to England and America, and naturally-meeta with universal popularity. In Germany, Switzerland, Denmark and Sweden, Christmas is not observed with thc roUicking noise that characterizes it in England, if for no other reason, perhaps, because these countries have so many more holidays than the English, and find a sufficient outlet for any exuberance of animal spirits in tho license allowed by tho Carnival, a festival unknown in England and America. The Christmas tree is a very ancient custom, tho origin of which is veiled in mystery. We will give a brief description of its leading features. "Der WePinacIUsbaum" or "Christbaum" is found in every house in Germany where there aro children to enjoy tho feast. Usually a largo branch of fir, pine, or some other evergreen, is made to do ser? vice for tho purpose. This is brought home seve? ral days before-its presence, however, carefully concealed from tho younger members of the house? hold. The mother and. elder sisters usually are engaged in its decoration. Little wax tapers, of varir.us colors, are placed all about on the differ? ent twigs; nuts are gilded and hung on its branches; also applos, grapes, and other fruits; glitte-ing toys and pretty ornaments attract the eye; and in tho houses of the wealthier classes much money is expended on this infant paradise. Pretty transparencies are placed behind and above the tree; the whole presenting a most gorgeous spectacle. When tho long expected time has ar? rived, the doors are thrown open, and the children rush in, full of mysterious awe and vague anticipa? tions of pleasure, and seeing the tree one blaze of fight and dazzling splendor, are intoxicated with delight. Tho presents for the several members of tho family arc sometimes hanging on the tree, sometimes lying on the table, each wrapped up separately, bearing the name of its destined owner. The stocking is not usually hung up in Germany. That seems to be more of an English and American custom. CHBIST3IAS DAY. Whether or not the 25th of December is really the anniversary of CHBIST'S nativity, is a question foreign to our present inquiry. We know chat it has been uniformly celebrated by all tho nations ol Christendom, over since the end of the fourth cen? tury. It is coincident with the Roman Saturnalia, and the old Gothic and Saxon Yule. The Scotch Calvinists, opposed to all church festivals, former? ly scandalized their unreformed neighbors very much by making their "wives and servants spin in open sight of the people upon Youl day." The old chronicles, go on to say : "They constrained their.tenants to yoke their ploughs on Y?ul day in contempt of CHBIST'S nativity, which our Lord has not left unpunished ; for their oxen ran mad, and broke their necks, and lamed some ploughmen, as is notoriously known in sundry parts of Scotland.'' The old Blue Laws in New England, our readers doubtless all remember, made it a penal offence fer any one to eat mince pies on Christmas day. It is otherwise in Merry Old England. GEORGE WITHES has a pretty poem descriptive of Christmas in England in the olden time. It is too long to quote entire. We have only room foi the following few stanzas : . Now poor men to the justices With capons make their errants; And if they hap to fail of these, They plague them with their warrants; But now they feed them with good cheer, And what they want, they take in beer, For Christmas comes but once a year, And then they shall be morry. Good farmers in the country nurse The poor, that else were undone; Some landlords spend their money worse, On lust and pride at London. - There the roys tere they do play, Drab and dice their lands away, Which may be ours another day, ' And therefore lofa be meiry. The client now his suit forbears, The prisoner's heart is eased; The debtor drinks away bis cares. And for the tims is pleased. Though others' purses be more fat, Why should wo pine or grieve at that 1 ' ' Bang Borrow I care will hill a cat, And therefore let's bo merry. Hark 1 now the wags abroad do caB, ' Each other forth to rambling; .. Anon you'll seo them in tho hall, For nuts and apples scrambling. Hark! how the roofs with laughter sound. Anon they'll think tho house goes round, For they the collar's depth have found, And thcro they will ba merry. Afc present, both in the Old Country and ou cwn, Christmas Day, although somewhat shorn c its ancient g bries, and unmarked by that hoister ons jollity which distinguished it in the days c "auld lang syne," is, nevertheless, still the hob' day in which of all-others throughout the yeai all classes of society " most generally partici pate. Partaking of a religious character j the fore noon of the day is usually passed in church, an in the oyoning the re-united members of the tami ly assemble round the joyous Christmai-boarc Separated ?4 many ^>|??heso ere during' tho rest c tho year, tiley all inako cn effort to meet togethc round the Christmas hearth. The hallowed fee ings ot aoracuiia lore xii aUa?ca:ut, the ^lsat ing remembrance) of tho past, and the joyous an? ticipation of tho future, all cluster round these family-gatherings, and in tho sacred associations with which they aro intertwined, and tho active deeds of kindness and bcnovolenco which they tend to call forth, a realization may almost be found of tho angelic message to the shepherds of Beth? lehem-"Glory to God in thc highest, and on earth peaco, good-will toward mon." CHBISTMAS CABOES aro as old, perhaps, as the event they commemo? rate-when the morning stars sang together and tho sons of God shouted for joy. Every poet almost, sacred and profane, has contributed his mite on the shrine of tho Saviour. The old Latin collec? tions arc full of hymns on thc Nativity. MILTON'S glorious composition is familiar to our readers. These carols are, of course, of all kinds, and of every degree of literary merit, to suit the several classes of society. A very popular one com? mences thus "I saw three ships come sailing in On Christmas day, on Christmas day; I saw throe Rhips come sailing in On Christmas day, in the morning," etc. Those carols are generally sung on Christmas Eve, though in some places the children rise early on Christmas morning, go from house to house, accompanied by a baud of music, bearing sprigs of evergreens in their hands, and sing this welcome to tho day. DICKENS' Christmas Carols havo introduced a new species of literature,-one, which we aro pleased to think, has done much good in dissemi? nating principles of love for our fellow-men, and sympathy and help for the unfortunate. Charity is the great keystone, around which all that immortal writer's stories aro constructed. This lesson of charity is so obvious a part of the very festival itself, that wc doom it unnecessary to say anything further upon it at this time. CHBISTMAS DECORATIONS. Thc decking of churches, houses and shops with eve-greens at Christmas, springs from a period far anterior to tho revelation of Christianity, and seems proximately to bo derived from the custom preva? lent during tho Saturnalia of the inhabitants of Borne, ornamenting their temples and dwellings with green boughs. From thia latter chcumstance. we find several early ecclesiastical councils pro? hibiting the members of the church to imitate the pagans in thus ornamenting their houses. But in process of time, the pagan custom was, like others of a similar origin, introduced into and incorpo? rated with tho ceremonies of the church itself. The sanction of our Saviour likowise came to be pleaded for the practice, he having entered Jerusa? lem in triumph amid the shouts of the people, who strewed palm-branches in his way. The favorite plants for church decoration at Christmas aro holly, bay, rosemary, and laurel. Ivy is rather objectionable, from its associations, having anciently beer; sacred to Bacchus, and em? ployed largely in the orgies celebrated in honor of the god of wine. Cypress, we are informed, has boon sometimes used, but its funeral relations render it rather out of place at a festive season like Christmas. One plant, in special, is excluded -tho mystic mistletoe, which, from its antece? dents, would be regarded as about as inappropriate to the interior of a church, as the celebration of the old Druidical rites within the sacred building, The decorations remain in the churches from Christmas till the end of January, but the eccle? siastical canons require them to be all "cleared away by the 2d of February or Candlemas day. This is the case also in regard to private dwellings. ? Down with the rosemary, and so Down with the baies and mis letoe; Down with the holly, ivy, all Wherewith ye drest the Christmas hall; That so the superstitious-find No one least branch left thero behind; For look, how many leaves-there be Neglected there, maids trust to me, So many goblins you shall see.' ? CHBISTMAS DINNER. We cannot enter into the multifarious details of this, the greatest feast of the year. Boar's head, which once was the sine qua non, now mildly yields to his more civilized successors-the lordly sirloin, the capon, the turkey and tho goose. Plum pud? ding also is too well known to need any further mention. But we cannot refrain from regaling our readers with an historical account of MINCE PIES. These were popular, under the name of "mutton pies," as early as 1596. Neats-tongue afterward took the place of mutton. They were also called Shred and Christmas pies. In HEBBICK'S time it was customary to set a watch upon tho pies on Christmas Eve. "Come, guard the Christmas pie, That the thief, though ne'er so sly, With his flesh-hooks don't come nigh To catch it, ..From him who all alone alts there. Having his eyes still in his ear. And a deal of nightly fear. To watch it" BEEDEN says mince-pies were baked in a coffin shaped crust, intended to represent the manger in which the Holy Child was laid. The Puritans liked it not. One of the rhymsters takes them off in this wise: ?The high-shoe 'ords of Cromwell's making, Were not for dainties,-roasting, baking; The chiefest food they found most good in, Was rusty bacon and bag-pudding; Plum broth was Popish, and mince-pie o that waa flat idolatry I" Sir BOGEE DE COVEBIY thought there was some hope of a Dissenter when he saw him enjoy his porridge at the hall on Christmas day. This plum pottage was always served with the first course ola Christmas dinner. It was made by boiling beef or mutton with broth, thickened with brown bread; when half boiled, raisins, currants, prunes, cloves, maco and ginger wore added, and when the mess had been thoroughly boiled, it was sent to the table with the best meats. And now wo will bring our long, though hasty sketch, to a close. The theme is a wide one and very suggestive, offering muon better scope for a book than for a newspaper article. A merry Christmas to all our readers, a good dinner, and a good appetite to eat the same, with a good con? science to aid in ihe digestion. SPECIAL NOTICES, flS-ESTATE NOTICE.-ALL PERSONS "HAV? ING claims against the Estate of the late JAMES T. LAMB, will present them, duly attested; and those in? debted to him will make payment to the undersigned. A. S. JOHNSTON, December 92 22, 31, Jan. 10 t Administrator. /??-FINAL NOTICE.-ALL PERSONS HAVING claims against the Estate of STEPHEN D. PAX.!! EB, late of tho Pariah of St Ja.uos' Sahtee, are requested to hand' thom- in, properly attested, to THOMAS P. LOCKWOOD, 1* ' Attorney at Law. rocezshar 12 vrata? Mo.&! Aira^?u?eU SPECIAL NOTICES. ??-NOTICE-ALL DEMANDS AGAINST THB BRIG "POINSETTE," C. ANDEBSON Master, must be presented at tho office of the subscribers by THURSDAY NEXT, 27th instant, at 12 o'clock meridian, otherwise they mil be debarred payment. J. A. ENSLOW A- CO., Consignee?. CHARLESTON, December 25, 18C6. December 25 33 J6E3~CONSIGNEES PER BARK TOSCANO, FROM Boston, are notified that she will discharge cargo at Brown's North Wharf on Wednesday, the 20th instant. Goods uncalled for at sunset will be stored at owner's expense and risk. STREET CROTHERS k CO., December 25 1 Consignees. SST CONSIGNEES PEE LLNE~BRIG C. B. ALLEN, from Boston, aro notified that she will discharge cargo at Brown's South Wharf on Wednesday, thc 26th instant. Goods uncalled for at sunset will be stored at owner's expense and risk. # STREET BROTHERS & CO., December 25 1 Consignees. ?35* CONSIGNEES PEB MERCHANTS' LLNB Steamship ADELE, from Baltimore, are notified that she will discharge cargo To~inorrow, tho 2Gth instant, at Brown's South Wharf. Goods uncalled for at sunset will be stored at owners' risk and expense. STREET BROTHERS & CO., December 25 1 Consignees. JO3-N0TICE.- CONSIGNEES PER BEIG "HAZE," HALL Master, from Boston, are hereby notified that she is discharging cargo at Union Wharf. AU goods remaining on thc Wharf at sunset will he stored at their risk and expense, . J. A. ENSLOW & CO., December 25 1 Consignees. J8S- NOTICE.-CONSIGNEES PER STEAM? SHIP E. B. SOUDER are hereby notified that she is This Day discharging cargo at North Atlantic Wharf. All Goods remaining on the wharf at sunset will bo stored at ex? pense and risk of owners. A. GETTY & CO., General Agents. All Freight amounting to fifteen (15) dollars, or less, must be paid on the wharf before delivery of Goods. December 24 2 /KS-MESSES. EDITORS :-YOU WELL PLEASE announce Gen. A. M. MANIC AULT as a Candidate for Sheriff at the ensuing election. A CITIZEN. November 3_stn ?3-WE ABE AUTHORIZED TO ANNOUNCE E. M. WHITING, Esq.,- as a candidate for Sheriff of Charleston (Judicial) District, at the next election. September 10_ ? OS- THE TORTURING PAIN OF TOOTH? ACHE, Corns, Colic, and all external and internal pains, are instantly stopped and alleviated by Dr. ANDHEWS* PAIN KILLING AGENT. Sold by DES. RAOUL & LYN AH, Corner Market and King streets. December 15 sw6* J865" ESTATE NO TI C E.-ALL PERSONS having claims against the Estate of the late JOSEPH L HOWARD will present them, duly attested, and all per. sons indebted thereto will make payment to 8. L. HOWARD, November 26 Qualified Executor. J8S?0FFICE CHARLESTON CITY RAILWAY COMPANY, CHARLESTON, December 20,1866.-Tickets can be procured from the Conductors on tho Cars, and at the Company's Office, corner Broad and East Bay streets, at any hour of the day. By order: S. W. RAMSAY, December 21 Secretary and Treasurer. J9S- OFFICE CHARLESTON CITY RAILWAY COMPANY, CHARLESTON, December 20, 1866.-Pas sen go a on the CITY RAILWAY CARS are politely request? ed to enter and depart from the Cars by tho rear plat? form, to prevent accidents and to facilitate the move? ments of the Cars. By order: S. W. RAMSAY, December 21 Secretary and Treasurer. ^CHARLESTON AND SAVANNAH RAILROAD COMPANY.-The holders of Bonds of this Company, is? sued on the first day of January', eighteen hundred and fifty-eight, and secured by a mortgage of the same date (by authority of which the Road was sold on the 20th day of November last), are requested at once to present them to the undersigned, Trustees, at the office of WARDLAW & CAREW, Broad street, Charleston, to enable them to ap? portion the dividends due out of the proceeds of the thirty (30,000) thousand doHars (tho amount for which the Road was sold), and pay the same to the parties in? terested. Those persons holding detached coupons ar* likewise requested to present them immediately, as final settlement cannot be made until there is reasonable assu? rance that all claims under this loan have been rendered. L W. HAYNE, ) ED WD. SEBRING. J Trustees. JNO. E. CAREW, ) Charleston, S. C., December 17, 1866. December 13 wsfh3 S0S" STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, COELEU TON DISTRICT.-By B. ALLAN WILLIS, Esquire, Ordinary.-Whereas, BENJ. STOKES, Commissioner in. Equity, made suit to mo to grant him Letters of Ad? ministration of the derelict estate and effects of JOHN GARRIS: These are, therefore, to cite and admonish all and ?vnpni-iT. the kindred and creditors of the said JOHN GASSIE, late of Colleton District, deceased, that they be and appear before mo, in tho Court of Ordinary, to bo held st Walterboro', on the twenty-fourth day of January next, after publication hereof, at ll o'clock in the forenoon, to show cause, if any they have, why the said Admin? istration should not be granted. Given under my hand, this fourteenth day of December* Anno Domini 1866. B. ALLAN WILLIS, December 18 ... tuS O. C. D. ?S- HALL'S VEGETABLE SICILIAN HAIR RENEWER RENEWS THE HATE. HALL'S VEGETABLE SICTLTAN HATE RE? NEWER Restores gray hair to the original color. HALL'S VEGETABLE SICILIAN HALE RE? NEWER Prevents the hair from falling off. HALL'S VEGETABLE -^SICTTJAN HALB RE? NEWER Makes the hair soft and glossy. Ti'*" HALL'S VEGETABLE SICILIAN HATE BE ; NEWEE . Boos not stain the skin. HALL'S VEGETABLE SICILIAN HAIR RE? NEWER \: Has proved itself tho beet preparation for the hair ever presented to the public. Price $L For sale by all dmgglstei. Wholesale by ! KINO & CASSIDEY, T .March 13 tulyr* CHARLESTON.. ter BATCHELOR'S HAIR DYpl-THIS, SPLENDID HATS DYE is the best in the world. The only true and perfect Z>??-harmless, reliable, Instan? taneous. . No dlsappomtment. " No ridiculous tints. Natural Black or Brown. Rt medies the ?l effecto pf Bad Dyes. Invigorates the hair; leaving it soft and bjsiitiml. The genuine is signed William A. Batchelor, All others are mere imitations, awV should, be avoidedr ?ti? by all Druggist? and'-. P?TTum't?iv?B5?O(?^?' o?reei? New York. T ' TSaediH-; JOST BEWARE OF A COUNTERFEIT. i?tatoOtHZ lt?