New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-01-01
The New Year.

for piece OF Roman pottery mas DeeH uislnt"ileu,
bearing an inscription which signifies ga happy
New-Year.'
The month Januaryis named-as all bnow-from
jams the Roman God, who presided over this
period of time. Versiesan, IN book pubhshed III
1926, called Restitution Of DeoGyed Intelligence,
saws this month was called among the sa1ons
VOL. Nonat, or Wolf Month, because the wolves,
then so troublesome in the Island Of Great Britain,
were impelled by hunger 10 come down INTO u"
settlements, aud the Government to encourage
their destruction, paid high reward Tor every
wolf head. .
In the old English writings, coupled with men,
ton of the festivities Of Christmas, are also tho
sports which ushered in the new year. Nor does
the biting atmosphere Of the season escape notice
an atmosphere often in our climate, whose fdgidity
would chill any other merriment than that which
brichtens the holiday times!
Then came old January wrapped well,
Ia many weeds TO keep the cod away:
Yet did he quake and culver like TO qGel,
And blow hi. nayles to warm him II ne may.
lSpepcer's Faire QOoene.
Dr. Drake in Shakespeare and HIS Tome',
Hone and Others, give gaphic pictures OF the ies-
tiyities in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries,
when, say they. "rejoicings, presents and wishes
were necessary things throughout all classes, from
princes to peasants"
There Is a Latin poem Of 1858, translated "
Barrabe Googe, which has the following:
1.-THE next to this is NewYears day,
Wherein to eyry fTende
They costly presents in do bnng
And New Year gifts do sende; .
Then gifts the husband gives his wife
And father exc his chade
Aud master on his men bestowes
The like with favor mild"
Three hundred years have passed since these INES
were written, and still the old fashion OF giving
presents continues, for, however outward circum-
stances may alter the condition Of man, bis hears
and Affections are in all ages the same.
Domestic life three hundred years ago, be 1t re-
membered. was very different from domestic lie IN
the nineteenth century.
Let us see it, as described by those who have IN
yestigated such matters.
Only few years before sleeping and eating had
all been done in the same apartment, and so little
was the retirement of bed respected that several
old engravings of that time reprinted in work on
Domestic Manners, by Thomas Wright represent
a visitor transacting his business by the bedside
before the master and mistress have ariseni ana
this visitor was no less parsonage than Bishopof
the Church.
In the sixteenth century, matters were slightly
modified from what they had been, and something
like privacy in bedroom secured. Tie center Oh
the dwelling-house was now one great hall, and
smaller ones were ranged on each side, when
served for sleeping and cooking purposes, OF FOR
store and lumber rooms.
This hall was, in the sixteenth century, the great
gathering place OF the family. 1t was the scene or
frequent festivities and gallery for musicians
was considered necessary part The nre-pia'o
often occupied the center, as may be seen IN OH
enerayings, particularly one Of the great Hal, ~
Penshurst. Kent, in ich were used iron dogs or
andirons. Their utei Ills and convenlences were
very few and simple. William Blakeson' pr
bendiary of Durham in 1872 possessed ID MS nous"
only Zone payre of cobyrons and one Pa'ie VI
toneys." and John Bynley, minor canon, hau III
his hall zone yron chimney with bake back d
pore poker, a toneys and spette spit).
table was placed in the middle, with benen
on each side. There was sometimes eupoos,o'
one or more chairs, and some cuShioDs' Aep' ioi
distinguished guests or ladies'
Tba hall Of Bertrsm Anderson, rich and dis'h'-
,n,shod nercbsnt and Alderman Of Newcastle
',nor. ryre. vas furnished in 1870, as follows;
.Two sabes, with table carpets Ceoyefs) tnfe'
c,-,ns one dozen cushions, half dozen green
c,ehions, one counter and the carpet two oasineea
hasins,. one chair and one little enalr' ID"
shows the rarity of chairs. t.,
In thu. central apartment the family assemOled,
visitors were admitted, and the wandering n'hs're'
or iurrler performed for their entertainment VINO
meals were served. ,s
II was lighted at night with candles placed r0uD"
the walls. or by horn lantern on pele at ono
and Their breal elst was taken about oe'''A'
and Harrison says with US tho nobibtle anu gen
,re doc ordinarilie go to dinner at eleven pei0''
noopc, and supper at i've to aiternoone''
Dinncr began with washing hands, IN ewers pre-.
sopted BY the meuials, for the reafon that IN anu
low used fingers for forks which were 'n'r0u'''"
from Italy at latF DR. "a.
One salt.cellar was placed in the madle OF 'no
table. The high-born guests were gathered al ono
end where sat the master, and the interiors an" os
oond.ut. AZ the other-heReo ;se phrase
see Twelfth Page