New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-12-31
NEW YEARS DAY.
roy ,r re Kppr IN NEW YORK.

- sby,y mn IN IN. cradle in Which lies that rosy,
mailed lump OF humanity in all its nursery
dignity and importanco-tbe last rev Dahy' Sur'os'9
for would we not give worlds 20 know what the new year
no., bring forth Caution-for do not start with
wel.uteutloned determination 10 be 20 wary that we
may Gather Of its fruits Smies-for, like the MUS
nye-yearold most OF sufficiently sanguine 10 re-
gard It's future cOmpanionshp with pleasing An"''p"
tons With seeming ingratitude, WIN almost ci"''
harshness we wipe out the old year 1870 with more sang
trOid than we would experience IN erasug bad deOl
from our Office ledger, in throwing an old pair OF
boots into the a. hbarrel the Sidewalk, ana theh VIC
turn all energies the whole bent Of our souls INTO
the immediate future-the newborn year 1871. HOW
gladly do we welcome the new year. OF all creation
man IS the creature that most delights bury the Past
Its Joys are lost sight Of its pleasures pail its friendships
wane its sorrows maybe its agones, are too bitter for
remembrance and man, guided by the instructive es
sencs OF his being looks forward The past, though
bright with here and there CLEANS OF sunhne must Oh
necessity be eouded with sad memories and perchanee,
repentance; but the future, the glorious, gladstone
future is before hin-the future II his only hope.
How natural is it, then, that should regard the glad
New-Year not only religious but as great social
festiyali The old Romans were wise in their genera
ton, and there certainly poetry in the sentiment
with which Numa Pompno was inspired when he de
creed that January should hencefor be tie first instead
OF the eleventh month Of the year. The doublefaced
Janus looking back on the past and forward 10 the
are indebted to the fables of mythology Tho very word
Janus signify ing gaLe is snguarly applicable TO the
beginning entrance, of the new year IL was doubt
this conceded presidency over the year to tho
god Janus that he generally represented with Key
and with the number 800 in hand and 65 in the other
On the first day Of the year the Romans were accus
toned 10 exchange visits, to make presents, 10 feast
their friends and neighbors and to heal standing ami
moses. To great extent, IN this nineteenth century
we do the same. We exchange visits till visitors, cards.
hackmen and horses exhausted; give our friends
the best OF Widow Cquot and Clos Yougeout and IN
limited turkey and cranberry we ransack stores
where articles de hze, jewelry, books, toys,
and bonbons are sold, though we possessed the
wealth of a Crasus and would be required to spend
nothing for the months In pebean bread and
butter.
II strange TO trace from history how continuous has
been this custom OF making presents on Newfears Day
We read Of Hugh Capet Of France dispensing with q
Nberal hand honors 10 his mobiles on tlls day
william of Normandy gave manga Saxon estate to DIS
knghtly freeboOers similar occasions. The coufuy
Edward delighted to lavish lands and titles on MS favor
ties on New-Years Day. In the library OF the Brtl-h
Museum there is volume entitled, New Year OHP
Dedicated to the Popes Holiness, 1872" and another
New-Years Gift to be Presented to the King Most L@
cellent Majestic; with petition from His oyale subjects
ls4sn From the diaries OF Samuel Pepys and John
EVELYN We learn Of the costly NewYear's gifts which
were made in their day; and in Burnet We read that
some of the mobiles took Oense at the neglect OF MIX
William to make them presents on New-Year's Day.
How Mortified the parsnoniOus spirit Of Dutch William
would be In this respect could his ghost take al AFTERNOON
stroll down Broadway, and mark the lavish expenditure
going on from end end OF that busy thoroughfare on
NewYear's Eve. The whole infante world Is engaged
in business and in depicting their mothers purses The
interior OF the toy shops, where they reign supreme
one mass Of toys flags banners. dolls, work-ooxes Don
bons Christmas trees, brighteyed little Children ana
elegantly dressed ladies, mixed up in bewllderng ana
charming confusion. Little friends meet and chatter
here with all the ease and grace Of their elders and
though they see treasures packed up at their elbows
treasures which they know will reach them on the follow
ing morning-they too eyersed in the etiquette u
polite society take any other than mental note OF
such purchases And those OF ripper year, from gushing
sixteen to maturer fifty, how they stream along
the pavements and jOstle one another at the
doors and with captivating smile endeavor TO
catch the eye Of the nice young man behind the
counter, In the vain hope that, because they are
regular customers, he may be inclined TO vail
upon them out OF their turn. II is all
lost labor First come first served is the store
keepers motto on New-Years Eve as on other days.
How their eyes gsten and their fingers clutch they
eagerly gaze the sparkling contents OF the innumer
able cases displayed TO lead them into the temptation OF
spending money than they can afford With what
longing eyes they inspect the many maryels entensy
arranged on the counters And how hercuean are the
pride their mothers the pets of their sisters, the ad
mration Of the fair in general, and the terror or
their fathers Having TO determine the style Of dress In
which they will appear while making their New-YeGr's
calls is Q matter Of grave anxiety and one requiring
much deberaon and then when the heavy business or
the tailoring department has been got through there at
least an be spent in deciding the important ques
ton Of scarfs necktes, and gloves. And OH why will
fashionable hatters keep stores so far below Union
square, making their customers take long and wear-
some walk for that needful ornament
As the crowds 20 laughing aud chatting gayly along
one would almost think it were carnival time III Rome
or Venice All their brightest looks and llyelest
coors and the oriental profusiOn Of luxury and magnh
cence in the stores indeed furnishes carnival TO money
spenders for to them moneyspending is the greatest
pleasure in life. And when the brilliant lights begin TO
fash and CLEAN the scene adding largely TO the
gorgeous effect Of the shop-wndOws, II seems almost
pity that the NewYear won't come III Summer time and
so enable its votarcs 10 the night amidst the treas
ures and riches Of Broadway. As night comes on the
carriages are all rolling homewards laden with knck-
knacks, jewels, dresses books and all SORTS OF pretty
baubes, and by one the stores are deserted the
shabbest ghosts OF their morning magnilcenee, their
only occupants the weary. palefaced yswnng attend
ants And then suddenly, with a startling cang the
splendid chimes Of Trinity Church merrly ring out the
announcement that the glad New Year il born.
All what a scene OF fashion, youth, and beauty do
the principal churches present on New Years Day
Some. more than others, for that mperous goddess,
Fashion, content with ruling the style Of the bonnet
and the cut the cloak Of the period must even AFRO
gate to herself the right to dictate where her vores
shall go TO church. she prays AT DR.. Halis, and Dr.
Chaplin breaches 10 empty benches. She "orsbps at
st. Adams and Grace Church deserted she stays at
home aud the elite Of the world do likewise. But she
generally goes TO church New-Year's Day for have
not that dress and that bewtchng little gypsy
bonnet 80 long in preparation, to be exhibited TO the
admrng gaze OF aspirants to fashionable famei Hav-
ing rested from her abos she sits arrayed
in stately magn receive those who pay
their NewYears devoirs shrine. she is perfect