Huddersfield Chronicle (19/Dec/1885) - Christmas Preparations in Huddersfield
CHRISTMAS PREPARATIONS IN HUDDERSFIELD.
Alter the severe and long continued excitement of the recent elections, it is pleasant to return to the preparations which are now being carried on all around us to ensure a proper celebration of the Christmas festival in our midst. It would be difficult to find a parallel to the English Christmas — a time so eagerly looked forward to by a whole nation, a period when all cur differences are forgotten, and when the most prominent thing we remember is the brotherhood of man ; a season fall of pleasure and enjoyment even for the very poor, and a festival during which old and young find their natures expand, and all their efforts are fixed upon making the Christmas one so bright that its memory may not fade during the intervening year before another such a season returns. Yorkshire thoroughness makes the Christmas festival one whose glory is not suffered to decay. It is felt that such & season of peace and good-will should be made the most of to increase the brightness and happiness of those who do not lack these essentials to comfortable lives; and to introduce them into those of others to whom they are unknown. Christmastide is good for all of us, developing the charity and kindly feeling of man towards his fellows, and causing us all to rejoice together at the return of such a pleasant season. The hard worked man of business enjoys some relaxation, families long separated are united ones again, and throughout the whole world the British race feel that in keeping up the festival in their own peculiar way they are doing something to cement the bond of union which is at the same time so strong and so slender a tie between them. Nowhere is Christmas more heartily enjoyed, batter kept up, or is honoured with more extensive preparations than in Huddersfield. Presenting a bright appearances at all times, the town at this season of the year undergoes a thorough transformation. Not only are there considerable efforts in private dwellings in the way of cleaning, but our shops, which do so mush to enliven our streets at all times, now surpass all previous efforts, and almost charm the money from unwilling purchasers. Such displays are very tempting, and are calculated to make people find out how numerous their wants really are. It is fortunate that at such a time purchasers are plentiful, and their requirements by no means few. Immense stocks of all sorts of materials are on hand, and customers are bewildered in the variety and choices offered to them. There is scarcely anything they cannot be supplied with, supposing they are prepared to pay for their fancies, and greats have been the efforts to bring about such a state of things as to make this possible. The windows of our shops are now so attractive as to tempt even the most energetic person to linger a little by the way, and to spend a few moments in examining the glittering displays which great his vision every few steps he takes. Theses exhibitions are not confined to one trade or one calling, but the majority of tradesmen try to induce would-be purchasers to make up their minds that the articles in which they deal are the most suitable for presents and would be best welcomed as gifts at such a season. Or it may be the temptation is placed in the way in the shape of the articles being considered most useful or most necessary, and as the man who hesitates is lost, so he who cannot make up his mind what to choose without a thorough inspection will find his mind more confused when he has finished than at the start. Presents of all possible kinds, articles necessary for domestic use, provisions of every sort for keeping up the proverbial good cheer of the season will all be found in abundance at prices and in qualities which should give satisfaction to every class of purchasers. It is to be sincerely hoped that the present season may prove to be one of enjoyment to all, and that in no respect may it fall behind those which have gone before.
To those who wish to make expensive presents, and who can afford to indulge in jewellery, Messrs. Pearce and Son’s shop in New Street mast be very tempting. They have a large and varied assortment of special novelties for this particular season, and should be able to suit all tastes. Mr. B. Mallinson has an extensive stock, and the purchaser will be equally puzzled here by the variety of choice offered to him. The majority of ladies take a deep interest in all novelties in china and glass, and at the shop of Mr. E. Atkinson, in John William Street, a very large stock will be found, offering a wide choice to purchasers, not only of these, but also of fancy articles. Christmas cards, although in the opinion of some persons overdone of late years, show no sign of their popularity being on the wane, and no doubt large numbers will again be sold this Christmas. Mr. W.H. Cook, John William Street, Mr. James Hartley, New Street, and Mr. W.H. Woodcock, Westgate, have each a beautiful assortment, while books, stationery, albums, and other articles are there in plenty for those who desire to make such acceptable presents. Mr. Alfred Jubb, of Station Street, has a good display of fancy goods, which should be seen by all purchasers of these articles. In pictures a fine show will be found at Mr. Abraham Marshall’s, in New Street. Messrs. T. Denham and Son, John William Street, have an extensive show of novelties, making a special display of rich furs, children’s evening costumes, curtains, &c. Messrs. Senior and Yardley, of John William Street, invite attention to their assortment of curtains, &c. Mr. James Armitage, of John William Street, has new goods in all his departments, and Mr. George Hall, of King Street, makes an extensive display of curtains, dress goods, laces, &c. Mr. R. Dyson, 91, Briggate, Leeds, draws special attention to his stock of rich furs. Messrs. Hilditch and Garner, of King Street, have a large number of novelties suitable for Christmas presents, in silk handkerchiefs, umbrellas, and goods for evening dress. Mr. B. Worthy, 31, King Street, has a fine assortment of new goods in all his departments, and ladies will find themselves able to meet with many of the articles they require at this well-stocked establishment. The variety and the choice offered to purchasers should be a great inducement to pay a visit. Scientific dress cutting has been heard a good deal of lately, and Mrs. Forrest, of Queen Street, is prepared to give any information upon the subject. Christmas would be dull indeed, especially in the West Riding, were it not for music, and there should be a great rush to the music shops at this season. Messrs. Wood and Marshall, Messrs. Johnson and Co., Messrs. J. Moore and Co., and Meesrs. Pohlman and Son, of Halifax, will be found equal to all demands that may be made upon them, either in instruments, music, or in any of the small etceteras. Victor Linof, of John William Street, has a very large and choice assortment of perfumes, &c., and in many instances no better present could be given than can be found at this shop. At Mr. Allan Copley’s, Cross Church Street, will be found a good variety of walking sticks, pipes, perfumes, &c., all suitable for Christmas presents. Mr. J.H. Whiteley, confectioner, Market Walk, has removed two doors nearer King Street, but still hopes to be equal to all demands the Christmas season may bring upon him. One of the finest displays of Christmas cheer is always expected to be made by Mr. John Henry Wood, of Victoria Street. He promises this year to be no whit behind his displays of previous Christmases, and those who have noticed his preparations will expect on Tuesday next not to miss the fine sight to which they have been used. Game and poultry will be shown in immense quantities, and bargains will be the order of the day. An extra attraction will be a live deer, which will doubtless be a great curiosity to many town bred folk. Mr. G.H. Sissons, who occupies a shop in the Market Hall, intends to have his display on Monday, and means to make a great effort to satisfy all his customers this Christmas, good quality being combined with reasonable prices. Mr. Rowland Wood, 21, Market Hall, will make a great display of game, poultry, &c., on Tuesday, as will also Mr. Alfred Wood, of Market Walk. Large sales of provisions should be effected within the next few days, and Mr. J. Armitage, of Kirkgate and Station Street, has made all arrangements to meet a heavy demand. Cheeses and tinned meats, hams and bacon, he has in abundance. Mr. William Hardy, of Market Walk, and Meesrs. Graham Brothers, of New Street, ate prepared to supply provisions in large or email quantities, and to meet all the requirements of their customers. For teas there are many competitors for public favour. Mr. Thomas Fitton, of Market Place, deservedly prides himself on his special mixture, and his customers know its worth. As agent for Messrs. Gilbey, also considerable preparations have been made to satisfy all wants in the way of supplying wines. Messrs. John Tetley and Co. have removed their wholesale business to the top of King Street, and mean to maintain their position as vendors of pure tea and coffee. Mr. J.C. Stead, of King Street, also boasts, and not without reason, of the qualities of his teas. In dessert fruits, &c., Mr. William Hoskin, of Devonshire Buildings, has a fine display. As some people take advantage of this season to have their portraits taken, Mr. Vincent Hatch, to avoid disappointment, wishes to draw attention to the fact that on Monday next be removes his studio from Byram Arcade to 56, West Parade. Ales, stout, spirits, wines, &c., may be obtained in any quantity from Messrs. Walter Hirst and Sons, Mr. William Smith, Folly Hall, Mr. Abraham Spivey, King Street, Messrs. Bentley and Shaw, Lockwood Brewery, Mr. Thos. Wood, White Lion Hotel, Cross Church Street; Mr. J.H. Laycock, Junction Inn, Marsh; Mr. James Briggs, Bull’s Head Inn, Messrs. George Netherwood and Sons, Messrs. Seth Senior and Sons, Messrs. Bewley, Sons, and Co., John Smith, of Tadcaster, and Mr. C. Turner, of the Exchange Hotel. The quantity of pork consumed about this time would doubtless astonish the majority of people if they knew to what a large figure it would amount it tabulated. Mr. C.C.L. Bernin, of Cross Church Street, who commences his display to-day, will have about 100 pigs, three coming from the Prince of Wales’s farm, two from the Duke of Buccleuch’s farm, and the rest from prominent Yorkshire and Lincolnshire breeders. He will show large quantities of pork pies sausages, hams, bacon, &c. Mr. George Battye, of Market Walk, also has about 60 home-fed pigs, and will show numbers of pork pies, In every implement, as will be seen, customers will find themselves overwhelmed with both quantity and quality, and the greatest difficulty which will face them, after they have surmounted the one of finding the necessary cash, will be that of choosing from amongst the numerous articles which will he presented to their view. In the midst of so much plenty it is sad to think that any should want, and though the year, which is now so rapidly drawing to a close, has not been a prosperous one in many respects, we may be allowed to express a hope that to none of our readers has it been such a bad one that they will not be able to purchase a share of the good things the enterprising tradesmen mentioned above nave provided for the comfort and pleasure of the inhabitants of the good town of Huddersfield and the district.