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


To the slow gliding months. when every eye
Wears symptoms Of = sober jollity.
among all civilized nations and more especially
among those OF Northern stock the death OF the old
year and the birth OF the new are celebrated with
special rites ana ceremonies. some OF which are
colored with the soemnity befttlng 80 grand
crisis In flight OF Time while others marked
with the widest and most enthusiastic rejoicing.
We have all OF US passed through these checkered
experiences. and. standing between the year
tina, mas ned and the year that has
silently begun its course, have abandoned our
selves TO mingled influences Of regret and
hope, puzzled ourselves perhaps TO say which were
the stronger. Looking back we have contemplated
with sigh the ravages of time and death, and have
mourned again for departed friends and wasted OPP
portunities and injuries given and received. Look
Ing forward our faces have frightened at the pros
pect OF many coming revel and perhaps, also. OF
added prosperity and welcome increase OF friends
and Kinsmen. But how various are the results when
the balance is thus struck between the past and the
future To the unhappy ana the unfortunate hope
and gladness seem forever ned; the days 10 come
are but few ana evn-a gift to be received with In.
difference not welcomed with JOY. But 10 the lucky
many-for, after all, there can be no doubt that
life Is to the majority OF mankind full Of sweet
than OF bitter-the year radiant with the fore
chances or coming happiness, and bright with the
hues or eagerly awaited pleasures Crowded with
the strangest contrasts, and fragrant with many an
Unforeseen turn OF Fortunes wheel for both veal
and woe, another new year begins its strange,
eventul history with the echo OF the last stroke
OF this very midnight.
New Years Day has many religious claims to at
rcnton. In the Roman Catholic Church 1t is appro-
prlated to the honor OF long list OF salnts-St.
Fulgentius. bishop and coniessor; st. Odno sixth
ol.N fpff tuni lpo rtt,c CT uAno
abbot; st. Mochua, Moncaln, alias Caunus,
abbot in Ireland, and ST. Mocnua, alias Cronan, Of
Balla In Ireland. It's greatest claim the dignity
OF o religious festival lies In the fact that 1t Is
the Feast OF the Circumcision Of the Lord ana 1t Is
observed on this ground both by the Roman
Catholic and Episcopal Churches New Years Day
Is also honored the score OF the general
Boemnity OF the occasion, by nearly all other de-
nominations. The Presbyterians observe it with
services OF especial fervor and earnestness indeed
among all the Cavtnst communlons the day re-
garded as the most solemn In the entire year-not
In itself, but account OF the feelings which it
naturally awakens and or its being, as 1t were the
occasion OF a new start in he, the opening OF
another volume OF the dread book OF life.
The death OF the Old year, also, among many Of
the churches Is marked with appropriate religious
services 1t is in the Methodist Church, how
ever, that these ''watch-night servicesn are
celebrated with the most conspicuous unc-
ton. the congregations assemble an hour
or SO before midnight ana with fervent
prayers and addresses and hymns OF thanksgiving
for past mercies Ill up the 1eetng moments OF the
d ying hour OF the year. Every EFFORT Is made to
convince the unrepentant OF sin; the natural de.
pravity Of and the rransgressions even
or the most perfect are painted in the most vivid
coors. Many q conversion has been made at such
OCCASIONS indeed It ! very that they pass
away without some visible fruits. Sometimes, It Is
true, the extrayagant excitement wncn has
marked these services has brought them into rldi
cule, but they nave doubtless done much good in
the past, and deserve to be perDetuated.
1t is In Scotland however, that New Years is OBJ.
served with greatest nonors, though OF late years
the demonstrations nave scarcely been SO marked
Is formerly. Even up the beginning OF the pres
ent century the old custom OF making friendly
calls In the first hour OF the new
year was maintained. Towards the approach
OF midnight the family gathered together and pro.
ceeded 10 brew what WAS technically known as q
and spTIts with spice and sugar. Then ali eyes
were fixed upon the clock, and as the strokes OF
seTy che ola
and happy new year and many OF them" was joy.
ously drunk to the dregs ana with all the honors,
including general Handwriting, aud, perhaps
Also In very vivaciously minded circles, dance
round the table, with the following song:-
Mee may we a be,
Ill may never sac,
Here's to the King
And the guide compane.
Thus passed what modern New Workers would
call the SHANK OF the evening" Its more serious
business now begun The adult memoirs OF the
family sailed forth with the remains oil the liquor
and al appetlzing store or cakes and bread aud
cheese sls and such Ike proEender,, and visited
NO tune was lost IN setting out,
Tor an increase OF friendship was almost sure TO
result from oeing the first TO make call. There
ance; whoever FIRST crossed the threshold was
called the nrst loot. 1t was however very essential,
according to tradition, that the .nrst FOOT should
not enter the house emptyhanded; and courtesy
demanded that every person present should take
m0rsel OF the food and sip OF the contents OF the
kettle. Thus, and with LOUD good wishes. was the
new year inaugurated. Another "nrst footlngn OF
q different kind Is also remembered One OF the
privileges or the season was Tor lover to steal TO
the door OF the residence oil his flame and knock, in
tue hope OF being received by the maiden whose
image nlled his Deart Were he thus fortunate, 1t
was an omen OF coming union and he was lawfully
douSs generally ' Crowned Siph success " for Of
course Jenny would keep sharp look
the dsmsy and When S9
some cruel misnap, the open portal revealed the
withered frame OF aunt or mother and not the dear
Scotch New Years was observed Is admirably de.
scrined IN the following lines OF Grahame:-
Long the lingering OF that blnhe morn
Tspping MS wings repeats his 'lArum sbrill;
ss fousns es 1Ia no o .oaaas on, hos. otjoy
Salute the ycAT-thc hfst foOt's entering step
Thai sudden the door II welcome hcaro
Ere bushinc maids have braided up their hair;
The laugh. The hearty kiss, the good new year
Pronounced honest warmth. 10 village, grange
And borough town the steaming dagon, borne
from house to house. eiAtes the poor mans heart.
And makes him fce thai life has stu It's joys
The aged and the voung-man. woman, child
Unite In social glee even stranger dogs,
Meeting with br,sting back. soon lay aside
Their snarng aspect, and In sportvo chase
Excurstve scour. wAiiow in the snow.
With sober cheerfulDess the grandam eyes
Her offspring round her. all IN health and peace;
And. thankful thai shes spared 10 see this day
Return moro, breatbes low . secret prayer
That God would shed blessing on their heads
IN England New Years merrymskings have been
almost immemoriai, though IN recent times, Ike the
Lord Mayors show and the securing OF the WMte
Horse and much Of the other rude holiday mirtn
That once made the land Of our ancestors known a.
"Merry England they have been snorn or great
Zeal OF their ancient glory. AS 10 scotland, New
Years Eve was honored with convivial rites. The
bead OF the house assembled his family around
huge bowl OF spiced ale bearing the singulary
mi of mi nha