Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1874-12-31

The celebration of the first day O.
the New Year dates back to remOt'
antiquity, Jews, Egyptians, Chinese,
Romans, and Mshommedans, re-
garding it with special interest, a.
though they differed as to the time
of 1.-THE beginning of their years.
The ancient Hebrews viewing it as
the times OF Adams first appearance
on earth, kept high holiday to COM
memorate so important an OCCASION.
In Rome previous to Numa's time.
the year commenced in March, bu
during his reign the day was changed
to the first of January, and dedicated
TO the Roman god Janu'; SO the new
year was opened with sacrifices OF
that deity, in honor of whom, also,
magnificent banquets were gwen.
After the establishment OF christian
ity, many imposing ceremonies were
retained in the inauguration OF the
New Year, but after time, the early
Christian Fathers, Amprose Angus
tus, Chrysostom and others, depreca-
ting these snperstitious obserVances
which savored of psganism. prohibit
ed all festive celebration, and order
ed that the year should begin with h
day of humiliation, fasting and
prayer; the mandate was but par
TALLY obeyed by people accustomed
TO the "pomp and circumstance" OF
pagan festivals; they. however, added
religious ccremonials and prayer,
clngiDg 10 the festsl attributes OF the
day 40 pert'nacIonsly as before, thur
giving it two fol- character of hcly
day and holiday. Christmas, tn
A nunciation E .ster and The first OF
March, have all, with the first OF
January, shared the honor of OPEN
ing the year, and not till late in thu
sixteenth century was the fist oil
January universally accepted as the
first day OF the new year. The New
Years day, under the title eli the
Feast of Fools, was snciently c'l :
brated in every church and monas
terry in France in the most extravs-
CANT manner. In vain bishops AMI
councils attempted to abolish this
festival, which assumed most riotOu-
and heathenish character; 10 spite OF
edIcts anu prohibitions il was regu-
larry observed Ii | the fifteenth Cen
fury, when it became unpopular and
gradually obsolete; many OF It's ab-
surdities, however, are conspicuous
in the carnival. On the last day OF
the year the ancient Dfuids marched
with great solemnIty to gather The
misletOe, branches of which were to
be distributed as New Year gifts To
the people on the following day.
The misIeto5 was single parasite
growing on the oak and other trees,
and supposed to possess marvellous
medicinal properties. A plant of this
species, with shining evergreen lsave'
and translucent white berries, is still
found in England, but growing rartl y
on the oak, chiefly on apple trees. IL
is used ia church and house decora-
tions during the holidays. but has nc
medicinal repute at the present day.
Au CucbOA C4IbbO0 oAObS VIC
inhabitants of Great Britain, whic b
in It's sentiment, was worthy of imiLa-
ton, whatever objection may be urg-
ed &c ainst the custom itself. % the
eve of the first day of the year they
gathered around their Giving
hearths, and in the spicy "Wassall
Bowl" drowned al anlmosities, and
forgot all quarrels, with .Ilsdging
anew warm friendships with song
and decent mirth watching in q New
Year the drink of the occasion was
LIMBS wool, a mild concocLion OF al :,
sugar, nutmeg, and roasted app los.
In Scotland, kind OF sugared bread
or cake was distributed, end the
neighbors assembled at each others
houses TO keep the vigil, making it q
point to remain together ill the clock
struck twelve, when they rose, kiss
ed, and wished each other Happy
Yew Year" This custom also pre-
walls in some parts of Germany.
where the form of wish, ''Prost Neu-
jahr," May the year be happy"
proves its antiquity. In many coun-
tries New Years Eve. St. Sylvester
Eve, was kept with great festivities
aud pre- l)nged til midnight, when the
people called on their neighbors with
congratulations aud mutual wishes
for Happy New Year. The N ,rth-
ern Saxons gave great banquests IN
honor of this universe lv fes a period
tards, custards, ana marchpanes biz
cults OF sugar and almonds, being
consumed in great Quantities, while
the popular "wassaIl b WI" dscorla-
ed with q wers and ribbons, Was The
great attraction OF the board Tne
chief characteristic of the New Years
tide, the giving OF presents, was de.
rived from ancient times with macy
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
lamentations being used TO insure
good crops, while the Roman arIis
ans invariably worked a little al
their business for luck's sake, btIiev
ing that thus they might have good
business throughout the year. The
Romans were great observers of the
custom OF Now Years gifts, Knights
Senators, and other great m send
ing costly presents To their Emper-
ors the old English nobility slsu
presented purse of gcli TO til If
King; in Queen Elizabeth's reign.
sovereigns gave and received New
Years gifts peers, peeresses, bisb-
ops, officers of state, and household
servants, contributed either sums OF
money, jewels. or wearing apparel as
gifts to Her Majesty. Among the
lower classes oranges and lemons
stuck with cloves and rosemary, gilt
nutmegs and comGts were appropri.
20 Nauv