1883-12-17a

As Christmas 1883 was fast approaching, the local Hamilton newspapers not only carried extensive advertising for local stores, the papers also rewarded loyal advertisers by some extended verbal coverage.

The following is from the Spectator of December 17, 1883 :

“The nearest approach to general happiness which is prophesied to come with the millennium is experienced at Christmas, the jolliest time of the year, when households are reunited, enemies forget differences, and there is peace on earth and good will towards men.

“A happy expression, if aged, is heard where English customs are not yet forgotten : ‘A merry Christmas and a happy New Year; a pocketful of money and a collar full of beer.’

“In this city, the merchants are dressing the windows of their places of business in an attractive manner, giving no less attention to the decoration of the interior of their stores. The display is magnificent and endless in variety. There are gifts small enough to shove into little stockings hanging from mantelpieces, and sufficiently large to place in brown paper wrappers or boxes

“Here is a list of them, and where they can be purchased:

A.  Murray & Co.

“A. Murray & Co. of King street east, have a stock on hand this Christmas, which is equal to any carried outside of New York. In the notion department, there are linen handkerchiefs with hem stitched or plain-colored borders. These handkerchiefs are very attractive. The neck wear embraces an elegant variety, and is suitable for gifts. There are several lines of gloves in the gentlemen’s department which are cheap and good. Ladies breakfast and lace opera shawls, evening dress goods of striped material, silks and brocaded velvets, all displayed in endless variety.

“Upstairs, in the mantle and dress department, elegant costumes are displayed on figures. A magnificent cloaking, surf seal, is worth $22 a yard. There is a large stock of Paisley shawls, an article of wear again in fashion, and all the rage in New York.

          “Another new idea is a fur shawl. A lady, who is now on her way to the old country, purchased three of them recently to use on the ocean voyage. Still another new article of wear is a cloth called seal, and is a splendid imitation of the fur of that name. A. Murray & Co. can suit everybody desiring to purchase Christmas gifts.

          ‘I’ve Got Turkish Hookas

and everything in my line of stock,’ said John Thom, the genial and famous tobacconist to a Spectator reporter today, ‘cigar and cigarette holders and cases, meerschaum, brier, clay and wooden pipes, Havanna cigars, all sorts of cigarettes and tobaccos, cains, and tobacconist sundries.

          “Everything you can think of in my line you can find here, and you can get Christmas presents at prices ranging from one cent to $100. It was only Saturday a young lady came in to buy a cigar case for her lover, and she told me she’d been all over town and my stock was the finest she’d struck yet. Now you can say that Thom’s is the leading place for – ‘ But the reporter was far away.

                   A Nobby Christmas Present

“What is troubling the inhabitants of this fair city is just now is where to get the best Christmas present for the least possible money. Anyone wishing to maker a present of anything in the dry goods line should call immediately at McIlwraith & McMaster’s . The new departure taken by this enterprising firm has taken the citizens and good people of the surrounding country by storm. Their great discount sale now going on, which will be continued at their store, 12 James street north, affords all the desired opportunity of getting the best goods for the least money. Purchasers of holiday goods will be pleased to know that they can make their selections, receive the discount and so save money on every purchase, made up to Christmas week. The beautiful laces, gloves, ties, shawls and silk handkerchiefs attract the eye of every lady passing the store and call for expressions of delight. Everything in the dry goods line suitable for Christmas gifts is in the store, but the rush of customers is diminishing the supply, therefore go at once and make your selections before it is too late.¹

¹ “Christmas Is Coming : And City Merchants Are Prepared For it : A Magnificent, Endless Display of Gifts for Men, Women and Children and Where to Make the Most Profitable Purchases.”

Hamilton Spectator.  December 17, 1883.