The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1864-12-31
TE.e HOIs61YS.

none. we imagine, Is more universally Ubser-
J ved in all christian lands, or comes 50 near
( the inner lie Of the multitude, as the natal
day of the Saviour Certaily no other ami
versary can have so deep and wonirous a
! Significance. to mankind, or can claim a'ten-
! tion.irom sucl. universally and high antiquity
Of its observance. Aud !, is appropriate 1t
should be made a joyous Observance, Tor
what event sho, III be the source OF 50 much
| gladness to fallen, Sin-stricken mankind, rest
! Ing under the curse Of the law, as the birth
| of Him who removed that curse and opened
| to earth the gates of heaven
The .'holidays," however, mean more than
| Christmas The church observes no less
than three other festivals during the same
week; and then too, comes New Year, which,
though not recognized by the church, has
been made by the common consent of man
kind, also, holiday claiming nearly as much
attention as the high festivals of the church
Common custom has long made this day of
social reunion and enjoyment, although
philosophers of the cynic sort may suggest
that there is little to be merry about having
another year scored against ones lifetime
But the same reflection might be made on
any day in the year, and shall we therefore
always bear lugubriaus countenances?
In this region, and throughout our country
we believe the ..social reunions on New
Years day, have OF late years, taken the
form Of '!calls." This means, that the ladies'
seo rlVii'r, anu tair grnrrvli''.. ross around
from house to house calling upon them, when
the ladies treat to some refreshments, engage
in = few minutes social converse, and then
the gentlemen are up and OF for the next
hou5e. As these little re unions are notonly
vsry pleasant in themselves, bat oatr many
temptations 10 the .'baser Sort il the way of
paia;able coattc;.oas and drinks, Vs. feel it
incumbent Oh Us % give the ladics some eau
tons or the subject that may save . good
custom from descc.atioa:
Inpr.nlis, 1t should be Observed that the
oaly legitimate callers On suca a day should
be sober, steady, and highly respectable, good,
kind husbands and fathers oc pleasant fami-
lies. or eligible, maria gcJlc Young beaux.-
Therefor. /. an old bachelor calls, turn your
bac. ,.ithout wasting upon him e, en- oword g.
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aI"'l "H'e'
Il inc caier Is " gay, '"Sl''e yo"hs gent
treat him with just as many Smiles as ne offers
ana no more ana 10 ie" '' your cholee
drinks and CONNECTIONS. II, however, as Is
often the case, the-hean has already c2Joyed-
frequent repcil'lons OF like hospitality 1t may
be unsafe to P:- him to freely. Il, for in
stance, his spirits seem NATURALLY eXubercnt,
and, while asking YOU to play piece on the
piano and sing, he shows a Willingness to
sing an accompaniment he must be regard
ed with Suspicion; bat Ii, further he offers
himself 10 S!n-,-ani Ais song Is something
like Corn Cakes, or the "N1.ill Man,
don't for the world give him another drop Of
ale or eggnoE. II Is then time to show
signs OF WEAKNESS, and talk about the rapid
flight OF time, ttc &c.
Bat iastiy'--for we are strnsins this out