Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-01-02
New Year.

pilgrimage and is gone TO rest amongst the by-gone
ages. "It is all over with it, and 1854 has
begun to it's name upon the records Of Time.
People do not take the expiration of the old year
much to heart they look upon It, as the courler
Of kings look Upon the death Of old moa~rcil
they are so much engaged IN weconng its successor.
,ha. sacy have neither inclination opportunity
to regret its loss. Besides, there is no profit TO be
obtained from the irrevocable past while the future
is always full Of hope and promise.
"Happy New Year." is every body's lips,
now. Kind wishes are as abundant as leaves in
valIambrosa. Grave people give gifts, and young
people receive them. In New York, Washington,
and other cities Of the Union, everybody visits ev-
gracious welcome. The tables Of our fellow
furnished in presence of their friends, for
nobody has foes at New Year, and mirth and mutual
good will have everything their own way.
In New England. graver thoughts, and more prac
teal purposes miagle with our New Years iestvi-
ties. We meet to thank God for his loving kind
ness through the past year, and TO beseech his
tinua goodness in the year to come. We meet, too,
to take counsel how we shall bring the slnbeams Of
a better year into the homes Of the poor. We wish
everybody Happy New Year, and we try to give
life to our wishes.
This custom Of observing New Years Day is OF
ancient origin, and has always been general in civ
ilIzednatons. 1t ia said that the Romans observed
il, as early the days Of Romulus and Tatins. We
know that It was consecrated 10 Janus the first who
built a temple in Rome. Janus was essentially
God Of Peace. and the Calend Of January was de.
voted by the Romans to the expression OF mutual
good wishes, and to the presentation Of gifts. Tao
titus tells that Tiberius commanded that New Year,
gifts should only be demanded and given on the FIRST
Of January, when the Senators, Equestrians, and
other notable Romans. brought presents TO, the EN-
peror. The Roman Commons had certain supersi.
ons in reference to New Years day, which still ex-
4 in the northern part OF Great Britain. Work
hen wrought during short portion Of the elay, as
AN omen that they would be employed ali the ensus
ing and then devoted the of the day to Wis.
iting, sc. And no one would lend his neighbor
Anything, or allow fire to be taken from his dwell
ing on that day.
The Druids cut down the sacred Misseltoe, on
New Years day, and distributed II amongst the
people, taI,sman defend them from evil spir.
is. And our Anglo-Saxoa ancestors ushered in The
New Year, with feastng and reye,y.
Brande. in his Popular Antiquities says OF
New Year in England. about so years ago, .sAt
this moment, II O'Clock Of New Years eve, lssz,4
the bells Of London are ringing in the New Year,
and the people sporting in, the Streets" The
New Year customs Of England are now merged in
81. r L. IL L.. ~
but inScotland. where Puranical prejudice against
observing Christmas as a holiday sin prevails, New
Year holds its anoieae place in the popular regards.
The my rs devoted 10 visiting and various sorts
Of cake, peculiar the occasions are presented to
every visitor. The Anglo-Saxons drank certain
strong polatons on that day, which they designated
" Wassail i" ia Scotland, wfr1skey circles round in
the qaech or wooden drinking cup. We think eit is
mark Of high civilization, 70 begin the New Year
with the presentation u genera gts. aud with the
expression Of words Of amiiy and we think il lisa
still higher mark Of social refinement to discard The
sensual indulgences which were ancen.ly prevalent
among our g rude ioEefaihers.''
But we can no longer indulge in excursions 10 he
past in historical illusions, but must come back 10
text, and wish ever, body 'fiappy New Year"
To our generous lends who have keptus company
during 1853. who have sustained US by their patrons
aye and abored with us in the struggles and strife q
politics. we wish a e Happy New Year. Maybe
year that hasdawucd bring peace and plenty 10 The
poor and the needy. s
May milk and corn To each man born, ao9
BE free as warmth in sunny weather."
We wish every American slave a" Happy New
Year." ia which 10 away from his " pairiarchal
master. /" We wish every European democrat
Happy New Year" in which to play the Ameri.
can game Of "seyeniy-sx." May the spnbeams q
1864 |" soften the hearts Of hakers and may ia
light enghten their leaden understandings. We
wish the wings Of Massachusetts '.Happy New
Yea" in amending the Constitution /; and we wish
it may be a Constitution good as the one they de-
ieaied, when they do amend il 49,
May the gear 1853 be the worst we ever shall see,
10 the matter Of money, bus'nsss, public and private
eaesprise, social and polileaipogrers, and ia ndl-
vidua Happiness. May every succeeding ist o. Jan
nary usher ia sill more and more Happy New
Year, eiYf stfi..f stiaaus sfep
BARRk AND NoRrH BRooKFfELD RAiL