Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-12-23
NEW YEARS DAY.
It's History, Ancient and Kodern-Cele.
bratiOn in Different Countries
New Years Eve-Cherry Bounce
and CoOkies-Wine and
Plum Cake, etc.

and C0OkIeS-W1ne ana
Plum Cake, etc.
The celebration of TIE first day of the
New Year dates back toremote antiquity.
Jews, Egyptians, Chinese, Romans, and
Mohammedans regarding it with special
interest, although they differed as to
the time of the beginning of their years.
The ancient Hebrews vewing it as the
time of Adams first appearance on
earth, kept high holiday to commemo-
rate SO important an occasion. In Rome,
previous to Numa's time, the year com
menced in March, but during his reign
the day was changed to the first of Jan
uary, and dedicated to the Roman god
Janus; SO the new year was opened with
sacrifices to that deity, in honor Of
whom, also. magnificent banquets were
given. After the establishment of Chris
tianity, many imposing ceremonies were
retained In the inauguration Of the New
Year, but, after time, the early Chris
tian Fathers, Ambrose, Augustus,
Chrysostom and others, deprecating these
superstitious observances which savored
of paganisn, prohibited all festive cele-
bration, and ordered that the year
should begin with a day of humiliation,
fasting and prayer; this mandate was
but partially obeyed by people accus-
toned to the s'pomp and circumstance
of pagan festivals; they, however, added
religious ceremonials and prayer, cling
ing to the festal attributes of the day as
pertinaciously as before, thus giving it
q two-fold character of holy day and
holiday. Christmas, the Annunciation
Easter and the first of March, have all,
with the first of January, shared the
honor OF opening the year, and not till
late in the sixteenth century was the
first of January universally accepted as
the first day of the new year. The New
Years day, under the title of the Feast
of Fools, was anciently celebrated in
every church and monastery in France
in the most extravagant manner. In
vain bishops and councils attempted to
abolish this festival, which assumed a
most riotous and heathenish character;
in spite of edicts and prohibitions it
was regularly observed till the fifteenth
century, when 1t became unpopular and
gradually obsolete; many of its absurd
tiles, however, are conspicuous in the
carnival. On the last day of the year the
ancient Druids marched with great sol
emnity to gather the mistletoe, branches
of which were to be distributed as New
Years gifts to the people on the follow
ing day The mistletoe was a singular
parasite growing on the oak and other
trees, and supposed to possess marvel
Gus medicinal properties. A plant of
this species, with shining evergreen
leaves and translucent white berries,
is still found in England. but growing
rarely on the oak, chiefly ON apple trees.
1t is used in church and house decora-
tions during the holidays, but has no
medicinal repute at the present day.
An ancient custom existed among the
inhabitants of Great Britain, which in
it's sentiment, was worthy of imitation,
whatever objection NAV be urged against
the custom itself. On the eve of the
first day of the year they gathered
around their glowing hea-ths, and in
the spicy ssWassai Bowl" drowned all
animosities, and forgot all qua1rels,
pledging anew warm friendships; with
song and decent mirth watching in New
Year; the drink of the occasion was
lambs wool. mild concoction of ale,
sugar, nutmeg, and roasted apples. In
Scotland, kind of sugared bread OF
cake was distributed, and the neighbors
assembled at each others. houses tC
keep the vigil, making it point to re-
main together till the clock struck
twelve, when they rose, kissed, and
wished q ca each other .Happy New
Year" This custom also prevails in
some parts of Germany, where the
form of wish, 'Prost Neujahr," "May
the year be happy" proves it's antiqui
ty. In many countries New Years
Eve, st. Sylvester's Eve, was kept with
great festivities, and prolonged till
midnight, when the people called on
their neighbors with congratulations
and mutual wishes for Happy New
Year. The Northern Saxons gave great
banquets in honor of this universally
festal period, tards, custards, and
marchpanes, biscuits of sugar and
almonds, being consumed In great
quantities, while the popular ' wassail
bowl, decorated with flowers and rib
bons, was the great attraction of the
board. The chief characteristic of the
New Years tide, the giving of presents.
was derived from ancient times. with
many other features of the festival. and
is still retained in many countries.
The Persians and the Chinese opened
the day with agricultural ceremonies.
and certain charms and incantations be-
ing used to insure good crops, while
the Roman artisans invariably worked a
little at their business for luck's sake.
believing that thus they might have
good business throughout the year.
The Romans were great observers OF
the custom of New Years gifts, Knights
Senators, and other great men sending
costly presents to their Emperors; the
old English nobility also presented {
purse of gold to their King; in Queer