The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-01-22

PARIS, Dec. 20, 1859.
Netv Years. Fsa and Nep Years. Gitts-H Hopes of the La
dies, e juveniles and the Servants the City and
Harry Fdcessp,endor Of the Stores-Prese1tations at
Cout-Descriptson Of So,ne~of the Ladies' Drcsss-The
Booths TOR the Sale of Observation-Disclosures Rmipagss-
Pecuiidities Of the French Character Prince Jromss
bealh-Gyt from Jesc, dc.
The great, great day OF the year-the Jour de pAn-s
fast bearing dow upon u.s. and in another forty eight
hours we shall be suffering all the mpoverishen OF pre-
sentng each of friends acquantances domescs and
trading outsiders with those infections called eennes-the
pleasing punishment common to this suspicious day.
Well suppose it is good TO seem to possess virtue
though have it and smile and smile again
while perform these self imposed sacrifices on the
altar Of friendship and good WILL even though in our Sc
cret heart vince at the nroads on our privy purse
But truth TO say the whole thing universally admitted
to be terrible bore, and in many instances n formula
bic tax. In theory is sort of saturnaa for the genter
SEX for every gentleman of her acquaintance expected
TO the Lady this occasion souvenir Of his
respect But in reality the ladies do derive the advan
tage they seem to from the CUSTOM for they their turn
must play the amiabe to the junior members OF the va
mention their humble dependents So the whole system
works in vicious circle like the Kilkenny cats each is
eating the others tail Everybody is made poorer and
richer except the happy shopkeeper who receives
the money in lieu of his wares
or course all sorts Of osntretemps occasionally take
place in this exchange of presents and has occasionally
happened that party after his ene has passed through
the bands Of score OF sympa,hzng friends received
his original purchase back again in the form of New
Years gift, selected expressly to suit his taste.
1t is period when every species OF servant is on hn
very best behaviour, for he knows the full Of pre-
cious gifts, and SO prescriptve his claim that without
very fit and substantial cause, il is quite impossible
deprive him OF it. Bold would be the employer who, on
any trivial ground should abstain from presenting this
annual trbute for il he escaped payment in meal he
would--to use old Engsh adage-scarcely do go in
mst-the employe managing to destroy property con-
scerably more valuable than the price Of his eyae.
All bankers, merchants and shopkeepers make on this
occasion substantial present to every official 10 their en-
ploy from the highest TO the lowest The lowest ,rades-
man the aanest vender Of goods the highest dutary
Of the church the law the humhlest lieutenant and the
most pus; arechal the Peddler with his pack and The
monarch Of all France--an observe the custom Of
making presents to all beneath them; and i, nav be
imagined, therefore, how great is the invention inrs
nuiy and artistic variety demanded at the hands of tho
lubricant to supply 30 many necessities OF course in
many Instances, the drnne assumes the more useful
shape Of the circulating medium shane which ir all
parties could speak out, probably generally pre-
ferred.
Having TINS alluded to this aucicri CUSTOM may take
the opportunity OF stating tina, the cheerful and brilliant
aspect i. serves to iupsrt to the capital Is imposing