through its dry
branches in winter, would scarce bend a bough, or only to break it. But
now, softly whispering through ten thousand leaves, how gently the whole
tree yields to the impression! So it is with the affections, the feelings.
They are the foliage of our being, moved by the spirit of GOD.' . . . THE
annual _Festival of Saint Nicholas_, beloved of all good KNICKERBOCKERS,
was celebrated on the sixth ultimo at the City Hotel, by a crowded
assemblage of the members of the Society, and their invited guests. The
new President was invested with the orange-badge and venerable cocked-hat
of his 'illustrious predecessor,' and new subordinate officers were
installed into their several stations; after which ceremony a sumptuous
repast, served in the well-known style of Messrs. JENNINGS AND WILLARD,
was discussed with universal _gout_. For the toasts regular and volunteer,
and speeches voluntary and involuntary, we must refer the reader to the
daily journals 'of that period;' while we simply add, that from soup to
Paaes eggs, _schnaaps_, and pipes, every thing passed off with unwonted
hilarity and spirit. May we live to see fifty kindred gatherings of the
votaries of our patron saint! . . . 'YOU don't like smokin', 'taint
likely?' asked a lank free-and-easy Yankee, as he entered a room where
four or five young ladies were sewing, puffing a dank 'long-nine.' 'Well,
_we do not_,' was the immediate reply. 'Umph!' replied the smoker,
removing his cigar long enough to spit, '_a good many people don't!_'--and
he kept on smoking. We know of _one_ reader of the KNICKERBOCKER, a
thousand miles from the hand that jots down this anecdote, who will enjoy
it hugely; and indeed it is mainly for him that we record it. . . . THIS
is _Thanksgiving Evening_ in the Empire State; and as there is a
fair-haired, hazle-eyed little boy pulling at our 'sword-arm,' (too
fatigued with writing to offer any resistance) suppose we read to you,
while he sits 'throned on his father's knee,' this timely and admirable
passage from the pen of CHARLES HOOVER, Esq., of New-Jersey, a fine
scholar, and a writer of as pure Saxon English as the best among us:

'THERE is much in the aspect of Divine Providence at the present
time, both toward our own country and the world, to awaken
gratitude and thoughtful joy. An unexampled spectacle is
presented in the current history of the world. It is moving on
almost without a ripple. The changes of time