New-York daily tribune., 1866-01-01
| 8 8 g..
Continued frsm Firs. Pase.


Tho sati" and Writer stigEatizes q person as
IresuInptuous, bec&Gse he seated himself above
the salt"
The occrpatiSns of wQAlsukind we're splDnlns,
weaving, and embroidery; their amnsements cards
aud dice. When james ". visited his afianced
6ride, the Princess Margaret of England, ne found
thu 'Qaeene playing at cardes'
Uere ayd there some one Of royal family, or
zone W.. and child of great scholar, was well
instruc ed even in the classics, but, generally, the
womtr was well cared for who could read and
write.
Ca riages of al kinds were rare, End when lady
desr ed to GO further than she could walk, she was
ei'f er carried in chair placed on poles and borne
by men-servants, or she was mounted on horseback
% hind some gentlemen.
Yet to all these people cane " Meris Christmas
",nd "Happy New-Year," with froos and gifts
Tie Jsucity of what we call only the necessaries Of
life arc gathered from the articles they selected as
presents. few pins was common present as
wo sden skewers and strings were mostly used; also
aJsir of gloves was costly offering.
yhe extensive wardrobe of Queen Elizabeth was
ipta large measure acquired by NewYear gifts
Gtsutlemen rendered money, from 20 70 40 pounds
:sod ladies gave robes. mantes hose fa7thingales
nns such like. None in the household were exempt
from this tax, even TO the lowest officer. Sir Gil
bert Dettrck presented Her Majesty, one wear, with
( II book OF the States in the reign of William the
s}onqueror. The same year, one Absalon, Master
cg the Savoy, gave her Bible covered with cloth
Nf gold and silver clasps. Her physician gave for
eign sweetmeats and green ginger Her apothecsry,
oranges, lemons, lozenges, and comfts. Mrs
Blanch, comft box and spoon; and, beside, were
pictures drawing glasses gloves, chairs, and other
things.
The Queen, say they, returned gifts, hut took
care that heavy balance should be left on her
side.
Ia 1894, Mr. Rudd of Great Newport-st., London,
exhibited a roll of veum ten feet long, being
sstalogue Of the New-Year gifts Of King james |.
10 persons therein mentioned, Jan. !, lGoj.
The weather Of Nev-Year's Eve was of no small
Importance. as an index Of fnturitv. Brand cites
an old legend:
III Nsw.Year's Eve night wind bow iouab,
II betokeneth warmth and growth;
II ~e.t much milk and FISH in the
II north, much cold and storm there bei
II northeast, shun it, man and brute
The last line is evidently put N 10 ere ont the
shyme.
prevailed time ont of mind; snd the inhabitants
preserve it often in their mierationf 10 foreign
countries.
at sunset, all work ID suspended, and they gather
for sport around the farmhouse FIRE. AZ bedtime,
two Of their number 60 with pitcher to spring,
ard FIJI it with water, being very careful not to LEI
it rect on the ground. as that would destroy the
-herm. 1t is brought back in solemn silence, and.
without word spoken, they al retire 10 rest The
next morning, still in silence glass Of the water
is served all round, and the beds sprinkcd. A firc
is then hindled under some juniper bushes and The
smoke aecumulates until the household are almost
saffoeated. The horses and cattle undergo the same
famigation and the whole establshment is then
Supposed to be safe from witchcraft and secure Of
good luck for the ensuing year. The gVde rite
now opens the windows TO dispel the smoke,
administers all round spirituous potaton ard the
frohcs of the day begin with sumptuous break
fast.
The salutation of some clans, mn naist cioH 0rsf,
~ understood 10 mean, Won owe me 9 New Years
gift, and like our Philippine, the first speaker
wins.
writer in The'Gentlemens Magazine ofl79l
Gays that in Westmoreland they 90 about with bas
kete Ind stangs-that is staye thrust through
the handles of the basket, by which it is carried
singing and making merry. Whoever will not join
them is put in the basket and carried TO the next
pnblie house, where he is obliged TO pay triae to
get free,
And thus has descended to US from generations
post the custom Of giving warm welcome in the
shape Of merriment TO the coming year. 1t is but
doing ss they did, when the maiden and her lover
exchange keepsakes and when The masterand mis-
1ress Of the mansion sally forth, IN provide gifts for
the housebold-gifts which have each year been n
sIeasing in beauty and fitness, until the tempting
objects offered by salesnen have reached point
of attraction no prudent considerations Of price
yetist
There is q pleasant feeling Of fellowship with all
human kind in the remembrance that as we hail
This new January with new hopes and kind wishes
ef "a happy new year to all-and offerings, be
they never 60 humble, to those we lo7e-so have
generations and generations done before us.
Hopes have been disappointed and plans frus-
1rated, and friends parted by hate or distance-but
.hst of that There is a happy disposition planted
in each heart 10 believe that its case IS TO be
she exception; and So in this firm individual per-
snssion, Will all fearlessly and merrlg cnteT
upon this opening year.
The First Of Sanuary and its Obscrvafiou.
Gone! Folded AWAY among the things Of The
Past, the year 1865 sleeps wen Turbulent stormy
Sa OF startling events, occupying one OF the most in