A HOME_JOURNAL. 'UTBSCBIPTIOIf BATES. Three Months 56 Six i.oo One Year. 2.00 Nopxperwillbesent from this office unless paid for. POSTAGE.—Papers seat Free to any part of Fair field County to any other address, 20 Cents per an num, payable at the Office where received. HOME NEWS AND GOSSIP Wednesday, December 27,1871. —Best steak has come down to 18 cents a pound. —The Grand Army elect officers on Thurs day night, the 28th. —The winter term of the schools com mences on Tuesday, Jan. 2d. —The State Reform School contains 309 boys, or more than ever before. —The law exempts quail and partridges from the ferocity of hunters, on January Ist. —A desirable offer in sleighs is made by Mr. Allen McDonald in our advertising col umns. —The subject of Miss Anna Dickinson’s lecture on the 29th is “Demagogues and Workingmen.” —The wife of J. D. Montrose in Brook field, has eloped, and he advertises that he will hereafter pay no debts of her contract ing. —Joel Munger was brought up before Justice Comstock this morning on a charge of assault, and was fined $5 and costs, which he pays. —By standing in front of a house which is being erected, as the clock strikes twelve, you will get some idea of the earnestness with which our people regard the ate hour movement. -—There will be no lack of ice next sum mer. The ponds are already sufficiently frozen for cutting. The ice will be not only thick, but pure, and free to a great extent ®f the sponge crust so noticeable in last win ter’s supply. —The front window of the Danbury Nat ional Bank, consisting of the ordinary show window glass, is to be replaced this after noon with a single French plate, which w ill be a pleasant addition to an already pretty building. —An Irish friend who read in Thrsday’s News that the weather had postponed the work on the new sewing machine building, suggests that Bailey’s circus tent be pitched over the structure, and heated with stoves. An excellent idea. —Here is a chance for some smart farmer to exert himself. Thursday four March pigs belonging to Benj. Lynes were slaught ered, whose united weight when dressed was 1,482 pounds. They weighed separately as follows: 880, 376, 364, 362 pounds. —Loud complaint is mnde of the annoy ance arising from the tramping of boys and unthinking men on the Opera House stairs during the temperance and religious services there. It is an evil that admits of no rem edy other than the action of those guilty of it. —An extravagant woman in a neighbor ing town was so much affected by a scath ing pulpit discourse against her weakness that she at once resolved to diminish the burden of her husband, and now sends her children to bed an hour earlier than usual thus saving the wear on the chairs. —The sad intelligence w r as received here Thursday, of the death of the Rev. Chas. Husband, Rector of* St. Andrews Church, Marbledale, Conn. He died in Newtown, on Wednesday, the 20th, and was buried from Trinity Church there, on Saturday, the 28rd, at 2 o'clock P. M. —Mrs. E. Amsbury, telegraph operator, fell on the pavement while passing out of the Wooster House, Friday, and re ceived several severe contusions. A lady fell down the depot stairs Thursday after noon, but beyond wrenching one of her limbs was not seriously injured. —Tickets for the raffle to come off in Bridgeport, are now on sale at the Wooster House and Turner House. The horse was formerly owned by Mr. A. P. Sturges, of Danbury. It is valued at $450 (not S3OO as stated yesterday), and 150 tickets, at $3.00 each are issued. The raffle takes place at the City Hotel, at 9 p. m., January 10th. —The coming year is leap year, so called from the proverbial inclination of ladies to jump at good offers (that will be made by themselves). Single gentlemen of prepos sessing appearance are observed to pine away, and single ladies of ditto appearance are noticed to spruce up. It is approaching a state of being wooed. —lndications in the hatting trade, unless they are unfavorable, are but little heeded by our community. We take the work as it is received, and if told that it is to be won ^rtuiiy increased, we mournfully murmur, “so is your grandmother,” but the least hint of a lull is sufficiently explicit for our lively faith. The present indications are favora ul« t o good trifle in January, and the indi cation» -Unusually strong. annual meeting of the Fairfield County Agricultural Society, held in Nor walk Wednesday, Dudley P. Ely of South Norwalk was chosen President; Charles E. Plumb of|Bridgeport, Secretary; William D. Gregory of Wilton, Assistant Secretafy Jos eph W. Hubbell of Norwalk, Treasurer Birdsey B. Plumb of Trumbull, Member of the State Board of Agriculture and E. F. Poster of Redding, Marshall. The meeting was qnite fully attended. It was voted to hold the^next fair on the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th of September next, which is ^^jer in the season than it has yet been held. —The funeral of William H. Bell took place from the Baptist church Friday.— The building was crowded with sympathising friends. The pastor, Rev. Mr. Hubbard, preached an impressive discourse from the text, “Wherewithal! shall a young man cleanse his way, by taking heed thereto ac cording to thy word/’ CXIX Psalm, 9th verse. Upon the close of the service the remains were conveyed to the Wooster cemetery, escorted by the Temple of Honor, and followed by a large number of friends, including members of the Beaver Brook Sabbath school. At the grave the burial fcservice of the Temple of Honor was read, and then all that is mortal of one of the "noblest of men was consigned to the tomb. I —William Bell, whose illness we recently noticed, died at the house of his father, Jo seph Bell, on Wednesday. The decease of this young man will bring pain to many hearts. Mr. Bell was one of the most ami able of persons, upright in all his dealings, I honorable and generous in impulses, and ".n E jear.ncst, cheerful laborer. He was a mem ber of theft! Baptist Church, in which cir cle he worked Xajtlifully and constantly. For several seasons fie fess been connect* with the Beaver Brook Mission Sabba.’.' School, attending its sessions in all weathi r and contributing largely to its success, Ls Ahe Sabbath School field he will be especially oSaMed. A like this a community cae ■■K sustain, its ojily .consolation being the that the example made conspicuous by death may be emulated by those who sur —The market is full of superior looking poultry. —We understand that the laborers on the Shepaug road are on another strike. —The Western pioneers plant horse chest nut trees which produce neigh buns. —The next Sunday evening service at the Opera House, will be held Dec. 31st. —ln many of the homes of the wretched poor this night there is no thermometer. —The Superior Court adjourned in Bridge port Friday to Tuesday, January 2nd. —The First Congregational, Disciples and Baptist societies have their festivals to night. —Tim Keeler has been appointed conduc tor on the Shepaug road. The right man in the right place. —Despite the storm on Saturday a large number of visitors arrived in the evening to spend Christmas. —The name of the manager of the State Reform School is appropriately Hatch. It needs a man who is eggs acting. —Holiday trade holds good all this week. Our dealers still have a large stock on hand to select from for the New Year gifts. The commissioners on the estate of Coleman Rockwell will meet on Wednesday instead of Tuesday as was first determined. —A man named Lynch at work on the Shepaug road had his leg broken by the fall ing of a mass of earth against him, Thurs day. —The dignified gentlemen who compose the board of relief have selected New Year day for the sitting, which shows their un selfishness. —A clerk in one of our dry goods stores was yesterday presented with $25 by his employers, as an evidence on their part of appreciation of his services. —An anxious father asked an aged gen tleman what was good for the croup. “I am sure I never could guess,” said the aged buffer with a look of earnest expectation “what is it?” —A pedlar put up at the Wooster House Friday who has driven a team during six New England winters, without wearing a glove or mitten or any protection whatever to his hands. Who can beat it —H. 11. Blish, once the noted leader of Wheeler Wilson’s Band, is dead. Mr. B. was well known in this community, and made friends wherever he went. For a time he instructed the Newtown Band. A very intelligent student of human nature is a son of an Elm Street man.— Somebody told him if he didn’t stop shout ing in the street he would get a pint of shot in some of his legs, and he stopped at once. —The house of “Bony” Thomas, our well-known coal pedlar, caught fire Mon day, but the flames were extinguished in time to save the building, but not the lives of two cats which were smothered to death. —At the borough meeting Wednesday Mr. Charles F. Starr was re-elected a Water Commissioner for a term of three years, and Mr. Jabez Amsbury was re-elected Treasurer of the Water Fund. Both excellent selec tions. —Au inebriated individual drove bis horse on the Main street sidewalk Saturday, but finding it offended people he went into the street, where he sought to palliate the offence by making the animal stand on its hind legs. —A mau who slipped in front of the depot Saturday and sat down so heavily as to start his scalp, explained on rising that he could fall harder than that if he had a mind to. But as his breath smelled strong ly of liquor, nobody placed any credence in the assertion. —The services were peculiarly approp riate at St. Peter’s church on Christmas, Rev. Father Sheridan officiating. The building was finely decorated with green twigs and boughs, and the music was im pressively beautiful. --Tlie locust trees in the Wooster Ceme tery are being cut out. Being rapid growers with luxuriant foliage they were extensively used in laying out the grounds, but there is now an abundance of shade and color with out them, and as they at times .contrast un favorably, they are.being taken out. —The editorial labors were lightened by a suitable and valuable gift from Clark Hampton, the Opera House jewelers, which happy event occurred on Christmas. It is a large, handsome gold pen from the best manufacturer, as, by the way, all their goods are. The man who remembers the printer is peculiarly blest. —This is not by any means pleasant weath er. The air is chilly and damp, far mor injurious to the general health than a sting ing cold day. It is a day when people are apt to be caught out without proper winter clothing on, and consequently sensations quiver along th e marrow, which are sugges tive of a darkened room, a nurse devoted to snuff, and mint tea on a broil. Use care in clothing yourself, and you will avoid much trouble. w —A demure looking chap hailed a char coal pedlar this morning with the query, “Ila^fcni got charcoal in your wagon “Ye^^K,” said the expectant driver, stop ping horse s. “That’s right. observed the demure chap with an approvh g nod; “always tell the truth, and people will re spect you?” And he hurried on much to the regret of the pedlar who was getting out of the wagon to look for a brick. —One of our doctors performed a singular operation, Wednesday afternoon. A few days, ago a tumor appeared .on the side of a valu able hen. At its first appearance it was not any larger than a walnut, but grew so rapidly that it soon acquired a size which threatened to over top the bird itself. An operation was decided upon, and was on that day safely performed, th^en declining to take chloro form, and submitting to the painful pro ccedure with a calmness very cheering to contemplate. —Simon Finucane for many years a faith ful employee of the Danbury Norwalk railway company, has been off duty several months ou account of illness. A few days ago a subscription paper in his behalf was started amgngthe railroad people, Superin tendent Bacon leading the list, and in a short time nearly $260 was raised. This amount was presented to the astonished and grate ful subject of the worthy undertaking, Mon day, making a substantial Christmas gift, as well as a flattering token of their regard for him. -—Mr. Samuel Stebbins, jr., our well known-lumber dealer, was “surprised” by a number of friends Saturday evening, who presented him with a very handsome steel engraving representing a Siberian hound in the act of partaking of refreshments, the refreshments being a black-and-tan terrier which had elevated itself on its back legs preparatory to the all erowulng sacrifice. So faithful has the artist brought ft f M the details of the picture that b of the beholder invoiuntari^ fid ■sp i dly" should 1-e maintain v.u.: r -hth*. io a black-and-tan ter:’ I>• pi ticii was made with spprn-o ks, t!u-peaker v; i '’trh... tx:>r.: I i hope 'b. f vt> ch 'hr. p --.j,y.,' 'in r aud nm. h bett-r WorM. An -a J- v made b. sh- oedpi-.n., and a ver.- l sium social season wound up the affair. —A green Christmas makes a fatchiuch yard. —Eureka Chapter, R. A. M., elect officers oi Wednesday evening. —Christmas comes on Wednesday next year leaping ouc day with the year. The Sons of Temperance have an oyster sipper at their hall on Wednesday nigh*. ♦-The Beaver Brook Sabbath School has its annual festival on Thursday evening. —Sermons appropriate to the Christmas time were preached m all the churches Sun day. —The stock-holders of the National Pah quioque bauk elect directors on the 9th of January. —The State Board of Agriculture meets in Danielsonvslle on the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th of January. —The South Centre District school re sumes its session Tuesday, omitting the holi day week vacation. —II. L. Crofut received a telegram from Newburgh Monday, announcing the se rious illness of Dr. Bardin. —Hearing a demand for material for trin ming the church a Sunday School scholar searched her mother’s furs for moss. —The Baptist church in Brewster will be dedicated on Wednesday. A clergymen from Chicago will preach the sermon. —The roof to the tower of the new St. Peter’s Church was tom off by the wind and thrown into Centre Street, Saturday night. —Rev. Wilder Smith, who has occupied the pulpit of the First Church on several occasions of late, preached in Bridgeport on Sunday. —The choir gallery to the Baptist Church is draped with the emblems of mourning out of respect to the late Wm. Bell who was a member of the choir. —There are more stockings hung up Tues day than were Monday, the regular Mon day programme being postponed one day on account of Christmas. —The Sunday school festival and Christ mas tree of St. James church will be held in the church on Holy Innocents night, Thurs day 28 inet. at 7 p. ih. —Eddy Maxwell’s troupe played to a slim house at the matinee performance Christmas day, but in the evening the house was filled to overflowing. —John Byers of the Danbury Norwalk railroad has got married. So the railroad men go. Some are run over, some are mar ried. Thus they drop off. —The livery keepers had a rather dubious Christmas. All the teams were engaged at holiday prices, but the sleighing had depart ed, and the engagements -were broken. —On a tombstone in a neighboring ceme tery is the following affecting inscription “Sacred to the memory of my dearly beloved wife, Mary,” and just below, /‘Ditto Jane.’’ —“Merry Christmas for a penny,” was the modest greeting on the street Monday, al though the more forward specified five and ten cents as a reasonable equivalent for their friendliness. —The violent wind, on Saturday night swayed in the walls of the new sewing ma chine building. But the damage was not so serious but that it was remedied in a short time to-day. —Lieut. Commander Dickens returned to Newport Tuesday. He expects to be detached from his present duty some time next month, when he will probably return home on a more extended leave. —The Housatonic railroad company have just declared a dividend of $5 per share on the preferred stock, payable January 2d. This is the first 5 per cent, dividend ever de clared by the company, which is now in a very flourishing condition. The first through train over the Boston, Hartford Erie railroad arrived at Willi mantic at about 7 o’clock Saturday evening from Putnam. It consisted of an engine and one freight car. The receivers are expected over the road next Saturday. —There is no use trying to compute the business acuteness of some people. The snow aud frost disappeared Sunday, and this morning the agent for the Wethersfield gar den seeds was in town with a supply. But the manjis a fool who will plant his garden now. —Mr. I. W. Ives planted a huge Christ mas tree at his residence Monday night, and a party of several hundred basked in its glit tering sunshine. The gifts which were both trifling and costly, ‘were distributed with a touching regard for the qualities and tastes of the receivers. —A New Milford party cathe into town Friday with a number of fancy sleighs for sale. About the same time last year there was a similar advent of sleighs and the same result followed. The snow immediately dis appeared, and with it melted the bright vis sion of a successful trade. —There were no fewer than eleven drunken men making their way to Bethel on the rail road track, Christmas afternoon. The loco motive to the 3.15 train sounded an alarm from Bethel to Danbury, although when it thought of the success of prohibition in the former place, it was so full of laugh it could hardly whistle. —The Shepaug Valley railroad having been accepted by the State Commissioners, after an examination on the 22d of Dec., “Forefather’s day,” a certificate was given and the trains are now running regularly between Litchfield and Hawleyville, mak ing connections with trains both up and down on the Housatonic railroad. i'he festivals in the First Congregational, Baptist and Disciples Churches were largely attended last evening, but we go to press too early for a full report of the proceedings Mr. Whittlesey, Superintendent of the First Church School, was presented with a silver ice pitcher. —The most remarkable change in the weather we ever witnessed occurred on Sat urday. In the morning a freezing mist gave a thick, hard crust to the snow, and helped to strengthen the already bright promise of sleighing on Christmas. At 10 o’clock that nightjhe streets were perfectly free of snow. the ice had gone. Nothing but mud remained, and the Sabbath morning dawned as softand bright as a May day. —Some vicious scamp interpolated a dozen sugar coated pills in the confectionery at a party last night. One gentleman, an elderly person, who had been noticeably merry through the evening, accidentally got hold of three of them before discovering the ap paling nature of the trick. It destroyed all his elasticity and broke up the party, al though several of the neighbors promptly volunteered the use of their fences to lean over. —Christmas day services were held at St. James Episcopal Church at 10| a. m., con sisting of morning prayers and a short ad dress by the Rector to bis people. During the services the choir introduced Jackson’s Deum,” another by Birch, “Hark Herald pgel (in connection with ;y tin: aito solo and chorus oiy c. oiristcF,) Chapples’old E.l. J Sp I?.--q V, .;t Ic.dly,” with a lots-; rolo. v. loci, w.i v. rv credibly per- I'Cim dby Mr. A’l'tie. With rare and. cul t; 4o we y. a jy-q place in he f >i i j ceß ti,..-; i. 1 p e.:.' through- out, with a go.ai p.",. ip ;ii[. ndaio'O, DEC. 87/ Died from Injuries. Frederick Smith, a boy aged 14 years, died ou Saturday from injuries it is supposed, sustained by a fall on the ice while skating a few days before. The injuries he received were in the head resulting in a fever which terminated fatally Saturday afternoon. Universalis!. Festival At the Universalist church Christmas eve ning the festival was combined with a con cert the programme of which was well se lected and rendered with spiritand precision. Mi. Hodge, the pastor, invoked the divine benediction, and the choir with Miss Julia L. Hubbell at the organ, furnished the open ing music. I lie following order of exer cises were then carried out. Welcome, by Gracie Hunt; Origin of Anniversary, by Jennie Rawlins; People will talk, Gracie Hunt; Bubbleton Papers, James Rawlins; Mattie s’ ants, Fannie Edgett; Teaching District School, Ina Morehouse. Presents were then distributed to the children, and appropriate gi^| made to Rev. Mr. Hodge and wife, the superintendent, and'several of the teachers. The Methodist Festival. The members of the infant class assem bled in the audience room of the building early Christmas evening, and went through various exercises in recitations, singing, speaking, &c. One piece was remarkably well rendered. It was entitled “little Lambs,” and was given by twelve little girls. At the conclusion of these services the infant class went down stairs to unite with the others in the regular festival, %ut before going Miss Emma Lyon, daughter of the Superintendent, on behalf of others pre sented the pastor, Mr. Hatfield, with a frame of fifteen photographs, the same beingjnem bers of his class other than were taken and presented to, him a few days ago. The pas tor returned his pleased thanks in a happy manner. In the basement the happy faces were made still brighter by the distribution of presents. And here the pastor and his lady were again remembered, by the receipt from Mr. and Mrs. Hockheimer of a hand somely iced and richly ornamented cake. Connectlcat Baptist Association. The minutes of the Connecticut Baptist associations, conventions and education soci ety have been printed and are being forward ed to the different churches. The work was complied by the Rev. J. A. Bailey, of Water bury. From the statistical tables it appears that there are now in the State 113 Baptist churches 125 ordained ministers, though only 82 pastors 17 licensed preachers and a total membership of 19,182. The number of Baptisms reported last year was 730.— There are 110 Sunday schools 1785 officers and teachers and 13,117 pupils the aver age attendance being about one half of this number. The total reported contributions of the churches for objects of benevolence are $23,819.97. For ordinary church expend- itures, $79,397.49 for special home pur poses, church building, etc., $81,600; mak ing an aggregate expenditure of $195,052.- 16, being an average of $10.17 per member. The reported contributions of the Sunday schools are $6,071.61. This includes the ex penditure for libraries and other home mat ters, and a portion of the amount is included in the reports from the churches themselves. ChristniaM. How gladly w’ould we dwell upon the joys of this day, the glad tidings it celebrates, the sacred memories with which it is fragrant, had we the space, but in this instance we are narrowed down to a mere reference to the weather, and speculations upon the people and their way of celebrating. Let us trust our readers appreciate the sacrifice. A very unfortunate feature of Christmas this year was the violent slipperyness of the pavements, and the gale of wind wet which prevailed Saturday night. It was very difficult to pedestrianate,and very unpleasant to fall down, while it was sheer madness to stand still and expostulate. You were sure to go down more or less. Consequently the toy stores were not crowded with expectant buy ers, and many of the stockings were some what lighter than they ought to have been. The day itself (barring the mud) was love ly. The sun was warm, the air was well, and there was a general inclination on the part of the people to get out doors. All day the streets were alive with a good natured multitude. There was but little drunkenness, and that of a mild type. Many of the families erected Christmas trees in the dwellings in the evening, and there were several private parties. Names of perfect scholars in the Centre District Schools. Room No. 9—Miss A. Grover, teacher, Master Anthony Ryan. Room No. 11—Miss C. R. White, teacher, Miss Annie Jones, Master Wm. A. Jones, Master John A. Quinn. R. W. Newman, Prin. On tlie Death of Wm. 11. Bell. Whereas, It has pleased an all wise Provi dence to remove from the scene of his earthly labor our dearly loved Brother, Wm. H. Bell, and Whereas, We consider the bond which uni ted our Brother with us and which has been so sadly riven as a peculiarly dear and sacred one therefore Resolved, That we bow in humble sub mission to the will of Him who doeth all things well, and while we cannot but deplore the loss of the sympathy, counsel and co operation of our Brother, whose memory is enshrined in the hearts of so many in our community, yet we rejoice to know that he has fallen as a Christian warrior with his ar mor on, having cleansed his way by taking heed according to the word of God. I, Resolved, That in the decease of our Brother Washington Temple of Honor has lost a beautiful and stable pillar, the cause of temperance a valued support, the church a useful member, a father and mother an affectionate son, society a brilliant orna ment, the community an honest and upright citizen. Resolved. That we extend to the sorrow stricken family of the deceased our heart felt sympathy consoling them with the re flection that he has gone to meet the reward that awaits a well spent life. Resolved, That as a token of respect to the memory of our departed Brother, the Charter, &c. of our Temple be draped in mourning, and that these Resolutions be spread in full on our minute book and pub lished in the Templars Magazine and in the Danbury News and a certified coppy trans mitted to the family of the deceased. At a meeting of Washington Division, No. 1, Son’s of Temperance, Dec. 21, the follow ing Resolutions were adopted Whereas, It has pleased our Heavenly Fa ther to remove our Brother, William H. Bell, from us to Himself, and whereas our loss is his gain, therefore Resolved, That while we feel sad, we mourn not as for one without hope, believ ing he has gene to reap the reward of well doing. Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with his parents and friends in this the day of their sorrow, and commend them to the care of our Heavenly Father that when life with them shall end, they, too, may be gath ered to that liome of eterpal blessedness which awaits the righteous. Resolved, That a copy of the above be left with the family of the deceased, and one for publication in The Danbury News. E. Tweedy, R. 8. Gm Explosion. The gas from a coal stove in Lewis A. Ward's house on Town Hill, exploded Thurs day night.* Mrs. Ward, who was standing near by and alone, was thrown down and momentarily stunned. When she recovered she found her apron and a chair cushion to be on fire. This she extinguished. She was somewhat burned about the face but not seriously. At a regular meeting of the Young Men’s Institute Friday evening, the following officers were chosen: President, Alfredß. Heath. Vice-President, E. H. Odell. Secretary, S. Tweedy. Treasurer, Alfred N. Wildman. Executive Committee, F. M. Mead, W. Leonard, Edgar Tweedy. The meeting then adjourned to Friday evening of this week. At the annual meeting of the stockhold ers of the Danbury Farmers and Mauufac- Saturday, the following Directors were turers Company, held at Borough Hall elected, viz. John F. Beard, B. D. Norris, Coley Bar tram, G. E. Cowperthwaite, S. 11. Rundle, E. S. Davis, Danbury, H. B. Platt, Ridge field, E. F. Foster, Reading, Henry S. Peck, Brookfield, Samuel F. Camp, Newtown, David F. Townsend, South East. At a subsequent meeting of the Board of Directors, Thomas G. Wildman and John W. Bacon were re-elected Secretary and Treasurer. Accident on the Derby Road. The first serious accident that has occur red on the Derby railroad happened on Thurs day afternoon. An expanding rail threw the afternoon train, consisting of three freight and one passenger cars, from the track at a place near Birmingham. The passenger car was thrown down a 12 feet embankment, and landed on its roof. Mrs. Brogart, of New Haven, was the most seriously injured. Two of her ribs were broken and her face was badly cut. Mrs. B. N. Green, of New Haven, was bruised about the head, and ren dered insensible. Several others were slight ly bruised. The car took fire from the over turned stove, but the flames were at once ex tinguished. Boston, Hartford and Krle Road—Con nections at 'Willimantic. On Tuesday fifteen hundred feet of rails were laid between Willimantic and Putnam, on the Boston, Hartford and Erie road, and about five hundred feet more would complete that section of the road, and arrangements were made to have all the iron down on Wednesday. It is probable that trains will be put on as far as Willimantic earlier than April, which has been the time announced heretofore. The importance of this road is not altogether understood. The eastern por tion of it is in very successful operation. A Boston paper says “The number of passengers carried on the Boston and Provi dence road this year has increased 25 per cent., there being but one road exceeding it, the Boston, Hartford and Erie, where the m ercase has been seventy per cent.”—Cou rant. The Borough Water Works. Annual report of receipts and expenses of Danbury Water Works for the year ending Nov. 30, 1871. RECEIPTS. Cash on hand at last report, 320.24 Water rents due Dec. 1, 1870, 2,600.00 Water rents due June 1, 1870, 2,806.22 Cash from borough of Danbury, 2,500.00 $8,226.46 PAYMENTS. Interest on Bonds, $7,440.50 Land, fencing, and work on reser- voirs, 181.00 Repairs of pipe, *249.54 Commissions for collecting rents, 101.43 Cash on hand, Dec. 1, 1871,. 151.99 $8,226.46 JOHN W. BACON, Water Commissioner. Danbury, Dec. 16, 1871. Report of Treasurer of Water Fund for the year 1871. Dec. 1, 1870, balance on band 320.24 Dec. 1, 1871, receipts of water rents 5,406.22 From Borough, 2,500.00 $8,226.46 Dec. 1, 1871, Paid orders of Com- missions during the year $8,074.47 Balance in Treasury, 151.99 $8,226.46 J. AMSBURY, Treasurer Water Fund. Danbury, Dec. 16, 1871. We remember seeing, several years ago, an attack in our then cotemporary, upon the show liceuse system practiced by our borough offi cials. There was no response from the offi cials, and the matter was allowed to drop. Since then, as well as before, we have heard numerous complaints from show managers of the greediness exhibited by the officials in their demand for tickets, and the question has been frequently asked “Are the authori ties entitled to free tickets in addition to an exorbitant charge for license,” or, “Are they entitled to tickets at all.” They have not seen fit to answer these questions, and the public have rested in the dark about it, sim ply suspecting what it couldn’t determine^ In the present case it is charged*thJlWir local authorities received fifty-four admis sions in addition to the license fee. This charge w r as made by the manager of the company now playing here, and published in last evening’s News. The authorities make the following explanations 1. They did not receive eighteen course tickets (fifty-four admissions) but only ten. 2. They did not demand them of the agent, but he voluntarilj' furnished them as a matter of courtesy, customary on such oc casions. 3. The price of the license is fixed at the maximum $lO a night, but the charge is left optional with the license committee. That is, they can guage it according to the suc cess of the troupe. In several instances we are assured no charge whatever has been' made. As this action is in conformity to a borough vote, it is certainly blameless, how ever much the wisdom of the vote may be doubted. 4. The number of free tickets has de pended upon the liberality of the advance agent whose business it is to secure the li cense and it has been left to his option no demand having been made on the part of the authorities. We know that it is the custom to furnish the local authorities with complimentary tickets. It is a practice “as old as the hills, and governed by the universal law of “mu tual interests.” The only harm thought of in this connection is that the authorities may have used their power to extort complimen. taries which they had no right to do, But to all free tickets extended them in courtesy they are honestly entitled to [From the Daily, Dec. 20th.] H. E. llu RD, W. Recorder. Some asinine Yale student set one of the college outbuildings on Are Saturday night. Such stupid pranks will continue probably until the prepetrators are handed over to the civil authorities and punished as other people A prisoner in the St. Louis calaboose at tempted to commit suicide, yesterday, by putting his tproat with the ragged edge of a tin plate, He will recqyer. It rings like a bell. The Rockingham and yellow baking ware from Chas. Hull Son’s. Young Men’s Institute. Tlie License System. Templat'on, Now that the peculiar festival of the New Year approaches we hear a deal of good advice to youmr ladies, instructing them not to extend to the youne men of their acquainj tance the fatal wine glass. A great many young people it is said can distinctly trace their ruin to the first glass of spirituous li quor tendered them by the fair, jewelled hand of ^beautiful young lady. We think this is the way .the figure is produced. The writer was never ruined that way and cannot therefore spCak from experience, but he pre sumes the figure is correctly used, and that much mischief has thus been executed. But we have frequently wondered why another form of temptation practiced by our young lady of the period is not referred to, con demned and warned against. We don’t know how it strikes others, but we believe it is just as wrong to present a young man with a piece of mince pie at 10 o’clock in the evening as it is to give a drink of wine at any hour. Wise medical men have given it as their opinion that there is more injury done through indigestion than through any other agency. The misery a piece of inju diciously administered mince pie will entail is far greater than a glass of wine precedes. A disordered stomach is the greatest of all physical evils. From it proceed all the others, and to its influences are due, more or less directly, half the murders and two thirds the other crimes committed. The child goes to its bed filled with sweet meats, the young person with frosted fruit cake and mince pie, and the aged with hard boiled cabbage. And when death comes suddenly and blots out the life, the surviving friends piously observe, how inscrutable are the ways of Providence.” Inscrutable fiddlesticks The Washingtonians. The meeting Sunday evening was largely attended,' there being over one thousand per sons present. S. A. Main made the first ad dress. He said he was in favor of moral suasion but desired to see the liquor traffic fut down. He believed that all views whether they favored legal or moral suasion should find expression at a temperance meet ing. President White read a note from Mr. Hatfield, saying he was unable to be present, but that he was in full sympathy with the moral suasion side of the question. Mr. White said he did not wish to have his opin ion have any more weight than that of any other member. As president he had not called to order any one advocating legal sua sion from tire platform. He said every rum seller would rejoice if the society should vote to enforce the liquor law. It would be a fight against not only the sellers but against the customers also. He advised that at the next meeting the subject be discussed and voted upon, that we all might understand our way in the future. Mr. Connolly spoke next. He thought the differences of opinion arose from want of understanding between the members. He thought the means were of less account than the end, and urged work in all directions. B. F. Bailey followed in a few remarks. He was jn favor of legal suasion and cited the case of Bethel. The President made the closing remarks. He hoped every member would be present next Sunday to vote for officers for the en suing quarter, and upon the proposition, “Shall legal suasion arguments be admitted upon the platform of the Washingtonian Society. On motion of Mr. Connolly a vote of thanks was given to The Danbury News. F. S Christmas Services Sunday. Sunday evening the usual Christmas Eve. services was held at the St. James Episcopal church. An unusually large audience was in attendance, every seat being filled, and many that were unable to get seats remained standing through the entire services. The rector preached an eloquent discourse from Isaiah, 30th chapter, 29th verse, which com manded good attention throughout its deliv ery. The opening of the discourse was in explanation of the custom of adorning and beautifying the churches with the evergreens and holly. The subject in general being ap plicatory to the celebration of Christmas time, but more particularly of the services of Christmas day. The church was elegantly trimmed, the sides, pillars, naves, and arches being orna mented with the evergreen in various designs. Across the church at the junction of the old part with the new is the inscription, “Unto God is born this day in the city of David, a dSavior who is Christ the Lord.” Upon the altar was the following, “Glory to the new born King.” A very important part of the services was ♦hat performed by the choir under the direc tion of Mr. C. G Short, and cannot be com phmented too highly. The “Gloria in Ex celsis” composed by Mr. Short and which we have heretofore mentioned, was finely rendered. The alto solo by Miss Cowan in Thomas’ anthem, “Benedic anima mea” was beautiful, and its rendition Sunday eve, reflects great credit upon the performer. The closing hymn was a- very appropriate selec tion, “While Shepherds watched their flocks by night,” and sung in the tune of Sher burne, the music of which is as old as the bills,” but which when well sung as on Bpn day night loses rone of its old time pathos. In the Mettfedist Church on Sunday last, Ihe services were varied and interesting. ‘ln the morning Rev. Mr. Hatfield preached from the words, “And his name sl^ilf^be called wonderful.’^Everything connected with Christ was wonderful. The manner he appeared among men was calculated to excite our wonder. That he should have had a manger for his cradle, an^he cattle of the stall for his midnight attendants, that wise men should havi^^en directs^by a star to the place where iWwas born, that he lived despite the edicts tile Kings, the jealousy of the priests and the enmity of his own countrymen until his work was accomplished and it was beard from his dying lips amid earthquake and darkness “It is finished.” A.ll this was wonderful. 1. He was wonderful in his nature, in his teachings, and his works. This Christ is a wonderful friend ard 8a vior, and is at the head of a wonderful church. And as we are brought almost to the day when it is supposed this wonderful Christ was born, as we think of his love for a fallen race, of his sufferings and his death, may we be so impressed by them that we may do what we can to spread the tidings that were heralded by the angels on that eventful morning until every nation shall receive him as their King, and every tongue shall call him Lord. In the afternoon highly interesting services were held by the children of the Sunday School. The pastor delivered an address on Christ mas, and Mr. Charles Purdy recited a poem. In the evening Mr. Hatfield spoke from the words “For we have seen his star in the East and are come to worship him.” From this passage was deduced the subject that Christ was the only proper object of religious worship, This was shown 1. By the character of his works. A man’s works daguerreotyped his char acter. The works of Paine, William Wes ley Hall, and Edwards, told us what sort of men they were. So Christ’s works proved conclusively that he was more than a com mon man—that he was a divine being. 2. By the character of the religious sys tem he came to establish on earth. Chistianity was contrasted with pagan ism, Mohamedanism, Atheism, and Panthe ism. ’1 heir aims and purposes were shown to be widely different from the former, They aimed to advance the interests of men irrespective of their future welfare. Their laws were tyrannical, their practices licen tious, and their habits and customs unparal lel to the good morals of society. The greatest thinkers of ail nations have not been ashamed to acknowledge Christ as their Redeemer and the Redeemer of the world. Milton sitting in darkness sung in sublimest strains of his advent and mission. Francis Feaelon, Columbus, Washington, our late lamented President, and others no less distinguished have given their best affec tions to him who appeared in our world 18 centuries ago. Editok Danbury News:—Allow me to correct the error in your issue of Saturday, regarding the accident which befel me,. It was not owing to a gas explosion, but the combustion of charcoal and shavings. W e are using the unrivalled Empire Gas Burner (sold only by Chas. Hull Son) and in those stoves explosions do not occur. Mr. L. A. Ward. News of the week. Saturday, Pec. 23—Gold 1084. The snow and a mortgage broke down the roof of a Sherman house. A man in Wolcottville is selling his bouse n it raffle, and has airvadv sold 4,000 of the 5,U00 chances. Alexis will be in Chicago on the 30th and will remain till Janua r y 2nd. lie will then go to Milwaukee. A car containing the mails, express mattei and baggage, was burned, Friday, between Terre Haul and Indianopolis. it was so cold in Brrokfield ou Thursday, that a number o> the citizens will put more land in tobacco next-spring than «v’er before. A rain storm has raged furiously ou the Pacific coast since Tuesday evening. The fall of rain in thirty six hours was a 67-lio inches. The dry goods stores of J. N. Hine Co. and B. F. Bisson Sons, on Court st., Bing hampton, were burned, yesterday. Loss, $44 000. The whiting works of John Pettit Co., on Newmarket st., Philadelphia, were burn ed, yesterday. Loss, $25,000 insured for SIO,OOO. Owing to the absence, yesterday, of the remaining four witnesses for the prosecution, the Wharton trial was postponed until Tues day next. Three boys, namM Lee Grosvenor, Hill Coain, and Charley Follett, were drowned on Thursday while skating on the Muskin gum River, at Marietta, O. There is great rejoicing in Arizona over the news that the government has decided to follow a firm course, drive the Apaches upon a reservation and keep them there. Mrs. Clara Johnson, an aged lady, was burned to death in Richmond, yesterday, by her clothes taking tire. She was attending the marriage of her grand-daughter. Beaver, Miller Co.’s plaining-mill, Creze Co.’s chair factory, and one dwelling, in Foit Wayne, Ind., were burned, yesterday. Loss, $30,000 insurance, $9,000. The 66th anniversary of the New England Society took place Friday evening at Delm onico’s. Beecher,Governor Jewell of Conn ecticut, Mr, Evarts responded to toasts. A Bridgeport man named Fagan, charged a liquor seller sll for not telling that he sold him liquor on Sunday. The seller afterward complained of the receiver who is now in jail. Frank Mays, colored, was hung at Gre nada, Miss., yesterday, for posioning his wife. He had been twice respited. He was overcome by fright and had to be carried to the scaffold. A mixed train on the New London North ern Railroad ran off the track last evening, four miles south of Norwich, Conn. Seven cars loaded with coal were wrecked, and a bridge torn down. The Rev. James B. Taylor, for the past 25 years Corresponding Secretary of the For eign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, died in Richmond, Ya., yester day, age 69 years. At Fort Wayne, Ind., yesterday, Beaver, Miller Co.’s planing mill, Creze Co.’s chair factory, and several barns and one dwelling were totally destroyed by the. The loss is nearly $30,000; insurance about $9,- 000. William Donovan, the farm-hand who murdered Winchell, his employer, in Contra Costa County, in a quarrel over a disputed account for wages, was convicted of murder in the first degree on his second trial at San Francisco, on Thursday. The merchants of San Francisco have lost heavily by the delay in the delivery of their holiday goods from New York by rail, in conseouence of the snow, and some of them threaten suits against the Union Pacific Rail road Company. A car containing the mails, express matter, and baggage, on the morning train from Ind ianapolis to Terre Haute, Ind., by the Van dalia line, took fire from a stove, at Seeley ville. The car, with its contents, was entire ly consumed. The largest amount of mail matter that ever reached Chicago in a single day arrived there yesterday. The Post master was com pelled to postpone the distribution of 40 tuns of mail matter, the post-office being inade quate to contain it. Michael Griffin, son-in law of Patrick Doyle, recently murdered in Ayer, Mass., has been arrested on suspicion of being con cerned in the affair, if not prepet rator of the affair. He is the second supposed murderer arrested, Leafing being the first one. William W. Hill, agent of the Bay Mills, at East Greenwich, R. 1., shot himself twice, yesterday, while suffering under an aberration of mind. His wife, in endeavoring to prevent the second shot, was herself wounded, but it^is hoped not fatally. Hill is living, but the ball cagp^t bd'reached. Admiral Topete atal Senor Angulo have deciSfed upon fining Senor Segasts, and the Spanish mimslty issnow complete. With the exception of t^e Ministry of Justice, all the offices are filled by the persons named yes terday. Senor Colemenares accepts the office declined by Bea*r« G^ard. Zorilla will probablXbe the new President of the Cortes. The examination of Charles Callender, charged with defrauding the Ocean National Bank by obtaining money on worthless col lateral was commenced before Commission er Osb^rtn yesTefftay. It. D^is,! t\e 'S? ceiver bank, acquired in a s^teCm n^ made by Callender’s counsel thtS the col lateral would probably realize about $77, 000. The’case was adjourned The Duke Alexis does not begin to draw the crowds that Hamlin draws every day for those superior Picture Frames of his. Games of all kinds at Hamlin’s. Don’t fail to hear Anna E. Dickinson Fri day evening. Admission to Gallery only 25 cents. Reserved seats for sale at Hamlin’s Don't fail to hear Anna E, Dickinson Fri day evening. Admission to Gallery only 25 cunts. Reserved seats for sale at Hamlin’s. Holiday Books at Hamlin’s. Holiday Goods arriving daily at Hamlin’s. French Fire Proof “A. Sun” Lamp Chim neys sell at 12e each and they are well worth two of any other brand sold in Dan bury. Sold at retail by Randall Bradley, T. R. Hoyt, H. W. Senior, and Chas. Hull Son. at wholesale by Chas. Hull Son. Knox Fluting Machines with coarse and fine rollers, at Chas. Hull Son’s. Burdick Hay Cutters at Chas. Hull Sod's- Just arrived from Liverpool, three (3) hogsheads of Rockingham and yWlbw bak ing ware for Chas. Hull Son. At, wholesale—Chas. Hull Son, will sell Rockingham and yellow baking ware at wholesale, at lowest N. Y. prices. lie who by his biz would rise, And would not bust, must adveitise. Space will not allow us to enumerate the $75,000,000.00 worth of different articles for sale by Chas. Hull Son. The largest stock of Rockingham (or mottled) baking ware ever opened in Dan bury, is now for sale at wholesale or retail at Chas. Hull gon’s. The largest stock of common yellow ba kng v we ever opened in Danbury is now for sale at wholesale and retail, by Chas. Hull A Son. Rockingham and yellow linking ware in every conceivable shape, round, square oblong, scolloped, smooth, deep and shallow, at v ry low prices, al Chas. Hull Son’s. Chas. Hull Son send old ware to be re plated on the 10th of January. Don’t fail to hear Anna E. Dickinson on Friday evening. The, admission to Gallery i« only 25 cents. Reserved seats for sale at II imlin’r. Large Fereotypes, three for fifty cents, at Ritton’s Gallery. Don’t fail to get.some of those fine Stere oscopic Views at Hamlin's, Any Book published in the U. S. furnish ed ai one day’s notice at Hamlin’s. Christmas Trees and Sunday 7 School sup plies al a discount at Hamlin's. Something new. Examine and you will buy po other. The patent self closing Diary for 1872, far superior to the old fashioned rubber bands and tucks. For sale at Ham lin’s. Bose Tweed Ims again been arrested and Hamlin has been awarded the premium for having the best assortment of Holiday Goods i i town. Go and see Hamlin’s new store and i.ew stock of Goods. Last night Kriss Kringle fell dow’m iH front of Hamlin’s and would not get up un til the Gallery of Art was completely filled with Toys and Holiday goods. New Years Presents. See Geo. E. Ives advertisements. “I consider my Florence a prize,” so said voting lady whh b"