Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1857-01-06
"PERSB WERE"
Reflections ON tile New Year.

ing Of a new one, very naturally suggest
subjects of the most profound reflection to
the minds of the thoughtful. And we
being of that class of minds, and withal,
somewhat deeply read in ancient lore, and
modern science, do think it quite appro-
pirate to the occasion, as well as in strict
accordance with our present impulses to
enlighten our readers on this all-important
subject.
We are quite well aware that several Of
our readers have learned from the almanac
and other sources of information accessible
to them, that this day-Thursday Jan.
frst-is what is commonly called New
Years day. But although the fact be SO,
yet the belief Of it in the minds of our
readers, rests we fear, upon mere tradition.
For with the reason why it is so called,
and sundry other very curious and recon-
dite matters thereunto pertaining, we can
not suppose them to be at all familiar.
We will therefore proceed to expatiate on
the vast theme before us; and that we
may be more precise in our method, we
will discuss the subject in the following
order: and inquire First, Why this is
called New Years day. Secondly; Why
it never comes moro than once in whole
year? And thirdly, Why railways comes
in the winter; and then conclude with such
reflection as may naturally seem to flow
from the discussion.
Firstly, then, we affirm that this day is
called New Years day, or the first day of
the new Year, because, and for the reason
that yesterday was the last day of the old
year! We might argue this proposition
very conelusively, and almost to a philo-
sophical demonstration by very intricate
and subtle course of. ratiocination, thus
yesterday being the last day Of the old
year, and there not having intervened any
other day between it and to-day, therefore
to-day is New Years day; and we think
the inference would be almost irresistible.
But as our readers are not supposed to be
able very readily, if at all, to grasp with
their mental faculties, such process Of abb
stract reasoning, we prefer toillustrate the
proposition by analogies, which are much
better calculated to make, and leave last
ing impression on the mind. 1t is within
the knowlsdge of some, if not all our read
ers, that when their last shirt is in the last
state of dilapidation, when there is "nary''
button left, when in fact it is all gone ex-
cept tho button-holes, and they even, have
spread themselves out and become COM
mingled and mixed up inextricably with
universal space, and they suddenly find
themselves in possession of another neither
garment, theyfe and do knoW by the un'
erring decision of their most positive con-
sciousness that it is and must be new
one. And so with this day! Having uset
up all the days of The last year, and 6nd
ing oaroelvos in possession of this one. w
are positive that it is New Years day.
Secondly Our next inquiry is why New
Years day never comes more than onc'
in a year. This is great difficulty will
many people, and is very serious matte
Of complaint But we trust that if sat
isfactory reason can be shown for it. al
dissatisfaction with the arrangement vii
be removed. 1t will require, however,
great amount of research, as well as lear
ming, properly to explain the matter, ant
then, perhaps it cannot be made very cleo
to the comprehension Of those who hav
not mastered several branches Of the sci
ences. But supposing our readers to b
sufficiently scientific for that purpose, we
having been favored with the necessar,
learning, proceed to very brief account o
the phenomenon It's very probable tina
the world is precisely as many years oil
as there have been years since twas made
This proposition might be confirmed b.
many very convincing arguments; but a
itadds dignity to sermon or philosophi
cal disquisition to assume certain postu
lates to be true without proof, let the abov
be one Of our postulates. Admitting the
the truth Of our postulate, and having a.
ready shown that this is New Years day
and interpreting here for the benefit Of on
demonstration another postulate, namely
that there is never any New Year so lon
As the old one lasts, we come to the cor
clusion that there can be but one in eac
year! Besides, there is an implied obi
CATION that it will come only at the tim
appointed for It in the almanac And i
all our extensive reading in that kind {
literature, we have never seen an instanc
in which itcould have come more frequen
ly, without most inexcusable disregar
Of the calender aforesaid. For the sake
sundry "frins" had only on that day. "