The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-01-01


And anncasnt friends allie.
Until late in the last century if the custom does not
ct exist. the bells in London rang in the new year.
Scotland the children in many places 70 about from
boor TO door, begging for bread and cheese, which
hey call nog money and they do SO in the following
banner
Get 10. ruae wife and blnno sweir
And deal your cakes aud cheese while you are hero
pr the time will come when yen be dead,
And neither need your cheese I or bread.
too, have our customs, such as they are, but
- fas. forgetting many of those which prevailed
Few Years day among the founders of this city,
nd I'm tue other Dutch settlements Of New York.
The d,y was always religiously observed, in part,
sermon beisk preached by the Dominic in the
corning, IN the Holland tongue and in Geneva
loak and the annual ordination OF elders and dea
ons took place Immediately afterwards with great
+oemnty. After the service, If on a week day, the
isting commenced among relations and friends.
rhe clergyman attended by his ccnsistory, proceed
81 10 the houses of the members Of his congrega-
bon, particularly to those of the poor and pious
brethren, to wish them the compliments of the
.ason. These were expressed lin terms which
anne smoothly enough from the lips of such as
Rmeyn or Livingston, but would break the jaw Of
Rhe pOllteat y 0nkec Ot our uCqubinthnCe'-
Jch vesse u con gelussu,gh Nleuwjser
Gods genadigen segen den lichaem ende zele.
The saluiation being duly acknowledged, and its
sious wishes recipIocatod, cake was presented to
bach Of the visters, one Of large size being always
prepared for the Dominic. Wine was also offered, but
bartaken of slightly. These cakes were baked
many days previously, the materials being sent to
Ibe bakers shop; they were well filed with cara
say seed and every family had large quantities Of
hem ready for distribution. II considered true
Doteness 10 accept New Years cake, and the con.
equence was, that what with large pockets and
mach civility, q gentleman carried away almost as
many cakes as in his absence his wife had given
,vay. The Dominies often had TO walk home to get
id of their loads before they could finish their
rounds.
Ladies did not visit each other on New Years
bay: bu. as intimate friends, they frequently met
ogether in the evening.
The day, however, was a genuine holiday for the
hTdren, " poor and the slaves. At daylight the
,onderous knockers of the doors began their
Manor and crowds of urchins rushed up the stoops,
xclaimin[ "New Year!" "New Yesrp' To each
these W. given a small cake, and in some
realthy famiIsS II was the custom To bestow cop
boon. The black servants then commenced their
sits to the friends Of cir masters and mistresses,
,ass;ng through the gates or cellar doors, and
aking their appearance in the parlor. They re
eiyed cakes also, and usually dram, and were
merry enough before night. II was also customary
or the young people Of the better sort TO drive out
n the evening short distance into the country,
combining sleigh ride, supper and a ball. One
|ery singular privilege was permitted the blacks,
vhich old people stil recall 10 mind-that Of cock.
hshting. At every corner groups Of darkies might
- seen betting on their favorite birds, adjusting
heir gafs and watching their exploits in the ring
We have been told that as persons were returning
rom church they were ofsen Obliged 10 pas through
Irovds engaged in this amusement, the snow under
heir feet being crimsonsd with the blood OF the
lain.
In the city Of Albany Il has been, for more than
hslf a century, customary for the officers of the
militia TO turn out in uniform, and, preceded BY q
and OF music, TO call upon the heads Of the State
md city government, and their resident command
ne officers. This adds great additional gsiety TO
he day. In our own city the giving Of New Years
axes, and the ocking Of children TO our doors for
enpies. no longer prevail. Bat there is a tremen.
ors rush Of the population TO make their annual
isiis. in the Reformed Dutch church there is still
morning service, but the Dom iDies remain at home
nd receive instead Of visiting their friends. Shades
# Messpolei sls and Van rlierdeu, what change
bore!