The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-04-01

The First of April the day of all others dedicated to
the God Of Mischief for many and many the jocular
receptions practsed while It's hours passing along the
path Of time. Where Ia the that be found who
has not in his youthful days either sent playmate,
has been sent by one to the oobbers for ga
Of the best stirrup oil and the only exchange for his
copper the messengers received has been hearty cut
from crspins strap, whilst he has been brought TO per-
ception Of his verdancy by hearing the exclamation
"Ahl you april foolf'' The same knowledge may some
times have been obtained by visit to the mkmans for
s'pnt of pigeons milk J" and to the bookstore for the
"Iife Of Adams Grandfather perhaps 10 the crpen
ter's 10 borrow Ground square, or "slass whet
stonen
In former times, when buckles were worn Shoes
many a dandy has been played upon by being in
for med that his shoe was unbucked, aud upon
CHANGING his feet he has TO his modification hoard the
wicked urchin's cry, "Ahl you April fool" Now, per-
haps he will be told "5r there's something out Of your
pocket "whereg" "There" "whatf" "Your hand,
sir All you April fooln The Juvenile sportsman will
sometimes, however, wish 10 bring do wn fairer game,
and then politely addressing lady he will say TO her,
Madam you've something your faoe." "Indeed, my
son; what is tS" "'ris only your nese"-but We eau
guess the finish OF his sentence The purse pocket
book laid the pavement, and which, when about 70 DO
picked up, is whisked away by the aid OF connecting
string Is ente, tainment that doubt many will this
day be able learn experience by whilst many plea
sure viii be created by the receipt at COS. FOR
riage OF parcel marked Hooks, TO be kept Dry which
Pleasure Will unfortunately be dampcd at the uncoverng
of the twentieth wrapper by the discovery Of probably,
a full grown brick.
The fooler Of the LIST CT April Of ancient origin
This day was formerly that on which commenced the
new year, and II observed In Britain as a high
and general festival, in which an unboundei harity
regned through every order of Its inhabitants for the
sun at this period OF the year enters tho sign Aries and
with il the season OF rural sports and verna delights
was supposed commence. The festival sports to which
we aude have no vever long since ceased and the only
relic Of the pristine pleassntes left the s, popular
practice OF making April fools The Hndoos, A. their
Hull festival, keep general holiday on the 3ist o.
March, and subject Of diversion among them Is also
that Of sending people errands and expeditions tha
are TO end in disappointment and raise laugh at the
expense Of the person sent. The joke Of making Hull
fools Ia often carried 30 far as TO send letters,
making appointments In the names OF persons
| Who IL is known must be absent from thei
homes at the time Fixed upon and the Laugh always 10
proportion to the trouble given Both the British ana
an ancient Persian practice OF celebrating with fetva
rites the period Of the vern equinox or the day when
the new year Of Persia anciently began
The custom Of making April fools prevails all owe
Europe. Tho term given 70 among the French Is ~
gon ne, AN OF the day ar
similar 10 those played here The nrst Of April furthe
marked IN Provence by everybody on this day having
for dinner In form other, sort OF peas pecus
the country and used 70 De great JOKE OF this ds
rict send TO the Convent Of the Chatreux
these peas telling them that the fathers were obliged 70
serve all corners, much 10 the annoyance OF the
monks, whose patience got soon exhausted amid
the multitude Of applicants the Sunday and Monday
preceding Lent people privileged AZ Lisbon TO play
the fool In thought very ocosc 10 water on every
paser by or 70 throw powder in the face but 70 per
fom both the person Ia there considered 70 DC
| the very perfection Of wit.
The Ronsns consecrated the first OF April TO Venus,
the Goddess Of Beauty the mother OF Love- the Queen OF
Laughter and the Mistress OF the Graces On this day
they abstained from pleading causes and the Roman
ladies' be abutions myrtle trees, crowned
themselves with is leaves offered sacrifices TO Venus,
and prayed the goddess 70 their pers NAL DO.
for mites from their husbands This custom originated
in the mythoogcsl story that 90 Venus was drying her