CHRISTMAS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 344, 27 December 1875, Page 2

CHRISTMAS.

Nelson is never backward in celebrating tbe festive aeasou of Christmas, but on the present occasion the preparations of one kind and another appeared to us to be eDtered into with greater spirit than usual. Of Christmas cheer there was an abundtnce, as a single glance at the butchers', grocers', and poulterers' shops was sufficient to show. Aa night came od, the dtreefs became thronged, not, as on Saturday nights, with adults alone, but with troops of little ones as well, and before daylight had entirely disappeared the toy shops were crowded with children, accompanied by their parents, and the difficult task of selectiag the Christmas boxes that were to delight the youatisters' hearts on the following day commenced, and was carried on until the clocks rung out the big hoars. Never before, we believe, were acrobatic monkeys called upon to perform such feats, speaking dolls to be so loqacious, or toy musical instruments to give forth such varied and even discordant sounds.as on the night of Friday last before a decision could be arrived at wiih regard to the direction in which the parental purchase should be exercised. Outside, too, the air was made lively by the tones of the Artillery band, which promenaded in the streets and attracted a crowd wherever a temporary halt was made. In the churches up to a very late hour lights were to be seeD, and those who took the trouble to peep in through the open doors might have seen busy hands at work in putting the finishing touches to the decorations which were to give the various buildiogs so elegant an appearance on the morrow, while in some might be heard the members of thechoir engaged in the final practice of the anthems and chants that were to give such zest to the services of the great festival. At halfpast ten the bell of St. Mary's gave notice that the time was approaching for the celebration of mass, and by eleven o'clock the elegantly decorated church was crowded, and soon the first notes of one of Webb's beautiful Masses were heard, and it was , nearly one before the service was concluded, a very excellent eerooon having been preached by the Rev Father Mahoney. At the Wesleyan Church there was an early morning service, and at eleven o clock the bella called out a large number of church goers on their way to Christ Church and All Saints,' In the former the decorations were not so profuse, but far more artistic than on previous years. The handsome stone font which has always been selected m

the chief centre of the. decorations was on this occasion beautifully ornamented, a large ironwork frame representing a crowu, tastefully ornamented with feathery ferns and white lilies, and sormounted with a cross of white roses, being fitted on the top, while the sides were ornamented with bright green fern leaves, and the base surrounded by white lilies and foxglove, whose freshness was preserved by wet sand, in receptacles which had been specially made to fit the foot of the font. Over the altar was placed a cross some five feet in height, constructed of scarlet geraniums and white lilies, the whole having a border of dark evergreens. The reading desk was ornamented with holly leaves and berries, and the choir stalls with flowers, lycopodiiim, and the graceful toi-toi. Illuminated texts were displayed on the most conspicuoua parts of the wall?, which from one end to the other were' wreathed with festoons and flowers, the whole presenting a most elegant appearance. The service was choral, the Te JDeum and Jubilate being sung to Jackson's service in E flat, the anthem selected for the occasion being Baraby's " Behold I bring you glad tidings," which comprised the annunciation in a lengthy but very beautiful solo, the angel's song, and, as a conclusion, the lovely chorale "O, Jesu, born of Virgin pure." The sermon was preached by the Eev J. Leighton, the Incumbent. At All Saints' the decorations were remarkably pretty and tasteful. Over the altar was an illuminated text and wreaths of flowers and evergreens. Prom pillar to pillar were suspended graceful festoons of lycopodiurn and other ' feathery ferns and flowers, and the wall at the west end, which in the present unfinished state of the building is usually somewhat of an eyesore, was profusely decorated with green branches, flowers, texts, and bannerets bearing the various titles of Him whose advent on earth was being celebrated on tliafc day. Tbe service was choral, and the sermon was preached by the Ven. Archdeacon Thorpe. Yesterday, which was a wet and dismal - looking day, we received a large influx ot visitors from "Wellington, the Ladybird arriving in the morning with some 250 excursionists, and the Hawea with a like number in the afternoon. To-day the ltegatta, the success of which depends entirely upon the weather, is to take place, and what with that, picnics to the ' Bocks, and drives into the country, there will be no lack of amusement for our townsfolk, who, judgijg from appearances, have made up their minds to spend a right merry Christmas season.