The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-12-31


We want . little OF your money
10 line Il well within
Good master and Mistress
when you're sitting ~ the dre.
Who are wandering In the miro.
Memories are still preserved by tradition OF the
imposing imposing manner IN which New Years Eve was
still religious dependency Of the Roman Catholic
church. The Abbot sat In his char Of state at the
mead OF the reectory table, anu ~ the year treln-
oled on the verge OF death the serving brother filled
mighty cup. styled Pocuum CarItatis and the
superior and all the brethren drank In succession to
each other. "The merry monks or ola" then held
nign festival through the night making the monas,
they might have spent the time In far less ednying
employmenls
In most OF the countries OF Europe New Years
Day Is observed as holiday, and has Its own spe-
cia rites and ceremonies OF rejoicing. In France,
II is honored chiefly by the mutual interchange OF
giits and mas even come TO be known as "Le Jour
aes st'ennes" Each male member OF the family
makes q present OF some kind to all the other
members. No matter though the .etrenne" be
but sous worth OF bonbons or comfts. It must be
rendered. LADIES' however, are exempted from
giving; II simply their privilege to receive what
may be offered, and as all OF their friends give
able NUMBER oil admirers and friends generally
makes very pretty little rake. In order to keep
gifts are spread ou on table IN the
drawing room and each donor enjoys the proportion
ate amount OF credit to which his measure OF gene
rosity has entitled him. II is by means just how
ever TO suggest the supposlton that the day Is thus
mucn compeiition among Partisan bellies in the
matter or e'TenneS among the New YORK fair in the
% ana see ~ one
monarchical times, ALSO all the members OF the
| royal family were expected TO make New Years
| presents OF substantial value to the King.
And now, at last, we come down TO the manner in
winch New Years is observed among ourselves. In
New York this day has, from the earliest Knicker-
| booker days, been honored In peculiar fashion.
which, however hos since been carried by New
| Workers over many other parts OF the country
With us New Years is pre-eminently the dav OF the
ladies. Gentlemen are expected to make calls upon
all their lady friends, and to personally wish them
a happy New Year. THIS custom Is now universally
observed, although among few OF tine bogus
times the visit Is curaied TO the simple lea wing OF
card. New Years is. indeed, looked forward to
rangements are made weeks ahead for The hire OF
carriage or sleigh, and the keepers OF livery
stables SI reap ia0rdinate haryests Of sxtorson;
TO have been about the ruling rate this year. though
tomorrow morning no doubt there will be scores OF
unlucky wighls who have left over the hiring OF
vehicle until the last moment and who will have to
submit to beng victimized in style worthy Of the
ever that the ground viii be covered with mantle
OF snow, and that tile duty OF calling may be per-
Should this be happily the case the dearest wishes
OF many Q Gothamite neart Will be realized. And
glide smoothly and swiftly along from one friendly
house to another, the blood bounding with the
images OF beautiful women, smiling welcome and
happiness, rising before the eye OF fancy The
highest hight OF human genius could hardly devise
more pleasant manner OF usnering IN the new
year.
In every home the New Years excitement begins
with dawn. Over night the tables IN the drawing
room have been spread with bounteous store Of
good cheer-boned turkey and sandwiches. and
other toothsome tribes; while the sideboard is
pied with gttering egions OF glasses, commanded
hna ma AN and ANXIOUS glance thrown a. the tout
down to q hasty and not very hearty break asst.
Scarcely has the last mOrsel been swallowed than
the gentlemen light tn cigars and stroll on to the
stables TO find their carriage and at once begin the
grand business Of calling through the long list OF
pared. And the ladies-well, they put lew nnis6ng
touches OF feminine genius to their toilet and,
se dPawna room ana eagerly ~ await their s
caller. who will he bef Lucky mortal, whatever
ms 0cs an 1Sa wt9
give you fair chance to spell It through success
Iully.
In apace. Now a company OF three or TOUR. or
again single cavalier passes in and merry express
the compliments OF the seasOn-"A Happy New
Year and many OF themI'-and then pledge the
ladies in some hospitaDle liquor and take morsel
on the book which Mary Kate keeps with rigid
scrupulOusness, though she, OF course, lots down
II Is, indeed, an easy way showing gratitude for
visit TO thus demonstrate the necessity OF putting
Young ladies', however. carried away by the fear OF
missing name on their list run any risks 10 get it
down. and even venture TO openly write beneath
their growing muster roll OF friends. The drinking
custom. only few years ago, became an intoera-
bic nuisance, ana reform became absolutely
necessary. Ere One-haf or their visits were
made gay young bachelors reached the seventh
heaven delicious intoxicatOn and staggered into
drawing rooms and made fools OF themselves In
fashion that was simply disgusting Indeed this
EVIL has bv means even yet lapsed into deserved
disgrace. The drinking Is very light but there
over hospiiabe ladies. who press a bumper upon
their guests with sad ,houghtessnes OF possible
ever that to- morrow Will be more credltabe cele-
sors In any case all decent people should set their
faces sternly against the reckless license and abect
past past made New Years more like revival Of the
Pagan Baccnanalia than social festival OF CHRIS
Another abuse OF New Years that ought to be
abolished, and against which vigorous efforts have
already been directed, Is the practice among badly.
bred people OF calling upon strangers, or upon
ladies whom they have simply met az ball, with.
out making any formal acquaintance Most
but their hospitality should not t be thus
snamefully abused. Many gentlemen. too. seem to
TO anY friendly house IA many strangers as they
please. THIS Is only permissible among very intt-
grossly abused. These outrages, however, could be
easily suppressed by slight exertion OF social skill
and fitting exhibition OF friyid poiteness.
How many calls can a man get through in day
This has always been perplexing social problem,
have made over a hundred, willie few plead guilty
10 less than nifty or sixty. Taxing the most liberal
estimate OF Gaining hours, however, from seven IN
the morning until midnight, this Is pretty hard
WORK. But New Workers have strong constitutions,
and can no doubt, survive even 30 arduous course
OF merrymaklng as this.
There Is only one thing remaining to say about
New Years. and that Is to WISH all the readers OF
the HERALD many happy returns or the day.
New Year's in Brooklyn.
The citizens OF Brooklyn, in accordance with the
time -honored custom, expect tomorrow TO be
wished "Happy New Year." and those who are
not win certainly have just cause TO feel sighted.
The majority OF the residents OF the City Of
Churches have every reason to feel happy, having
plenty OF money and reason to complain OF
lack OF time TO spend II. The Mayor will tell them