Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1869-01-08

NEw YEAR PEHENTs.-The making Of pre-
sents on New Years day dates as far back ~
before the time Of the Roman Emperors. Xvi
dences are TO be found in Fosiro0ke's EHcyclof-
efig Of -fHfiJuities. The custom Is Of very re-
mote date in Enganl-a reiiiniscence. doubt
less. Of the Bomau regime, linked with the will
exercises and rcvclrie> OF the Mortimer who en-
grated themselves upon it, soil The sums OF
money given by kings and powerful notlemen
to their officers and servants, as New Year
gifts are on record. Royalty hungered after
these presents, as well as the yassals as back
Henry III, who, according to Matthew Pari~,
extorted New Tears gifts In the 18th century
there was much cordial rejoicing, Prince ani
peasant being equally, in principle. the recipient
Of tavOrs-the former. however, with mu-Ii
greater interest than the latter. The kings and
nobility Of England interchanged gifts aud tokens
Of great value and high consideration. Henry
with had q special programme tor the day,
guating the manner IN which the gifts were 20
be presented, the sums 10 be paid the hel er,,
and making a distinction in favor Of his Majes-
tvs largesSe AID that given By the Queen 90
those who carried presents 20 her. She was per-
mitted 10 exhibit equal state with her liqce lord
II Is recorded thar Latimer sent Henry with
richly-illuminated New Testament at New Years
a
Hebrews chapter xiii v. ., which reads thus
q" Marriage is honorable 10 all and the bed un-
defled but adulterers God will
Judge" This, however suitable bon-bon fl-
the royal libertine, was rather gilded pill
The wardrobe and Jewels Of Elizabeth were
considerably augmented by presents male
at this season AMI lists Of these gifts are
published by Mr. Nichols in the accounts
of her g Progresses" from which, says
the EreTy- Day Book, it appears that the
greatest part, IL not all, Of the peers and peer
esses of the realm, all the bishops, the chief
officers of state, ami several Of the Queens
household servants, down to her apothecarics.
master cook, and sergeant Of pastry, etc, give
New Years gifts to her Majesty, consisting, IA
general, either Of sum Of money jewell,
trinkets, wearing apparel, &c.," The largest
sum given by any Of the temporal lords was go;
but the Archbishop Of Canterbury gave el0. the
Archbishop Of York go, and the other spiritual
lords go and SO. Many Of the temporal
lords and great officers, and most Of the peer
essess, gave rich gowns, petticcat shifts, silS
stockings, garters, sweet bags, doubleis, man
tells, embroidered with precious stones, looking
zlasses, fans, bracelets, caskets studded with
Jewels and other costly trinkets. From her
household and tradespeople she also received
great variety Of presents; and always made gifts
in return Of far less value than those she re-
ceiyed
Connected with the expected demise Of ''Good
Queen Bess" is the record Of a courtier's pres
ent to the heir to the throne. james l., when
King Of Scotland, received as a New Years gift,
1903, from Sir John Harrington, richly orna-
mented dark lantern, on which, with other
curious devices, were representations Of the sun,
moon and planets, and said 10 be found
''graved by King of Scotland, David H., that
was prisoner az nottingham" Sir John aided
a suggestive Inscription in Latin, which ryads,
Lord, remember me when thou eomest into thy
kingdom 1t is held that that lantern was
altogether begging device, and "a evidently fab
ricated at a moment when the lamp Of life grew
lin in the frame of Queen Elizabeth; it is
curious as u relic Of eOurtcraft, displaying
= darkness visible " in the character of the
polite knight He mlde 4 mistake, however,
Is to the Pickering state Of Elizabeth's lamp Of
life, for she lived ten years longer.