Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-12-23

Elizabeth's reign, sovereigns gave and
received New Years gifts; peers, peer
esses, bishops, officers of state, and
acknowledgements, contributed either
sums of money, jewels, or wear
ing apparel as gifts to Her Majesty
Among the lower classes oranges and
lemons, stuck with cloves and rosemary,
gilt, nutmegs and comfts were appro-
pirate New Year gifts; while tenants
were bound to furnish cheese, fat
goose, or other poultry, or fruit to their
landlords. The ancient custom of was
sailing, in which young people went
from door to door with q wassail bowl
OF spiced ale, presenting it with con-
gratulations, and receiving small pres
ents in return, is not, in some places,
entirely obsolete The introduction of
Christianity did not altogether abolish
the wassail- bowl, as it soon appeared in
the inconsistencies, on the Abbot's table
receiving the title of Poculum Charisa-
tbs, in modern Universities it is called
the Grace Cup. Coming down to re-
cent times, New Years Day has lost
many of it's characteristics, becoming
merely day for the interchange of
complimentary wishes, gifts, cere-
monious calls, and banquets. Per-
haps the New Years Day was never
| more thoroughly and harmlessly en-
joyed than in the "good old times of
Rip Van Dam, when CHERRY bounce.
"hot stuff, and New Years cookies
were the delicacies of the festival.
Cherry bounce was homemade cor
dial, and ''hot stuff home made COM
pound of sugar, butter, allspice and Ja-
maica rum, made !" overnight" The
New Year cookies were adorned with
the head of st. Nicholas on one side
and that of Rip Van Dam on the other;
each family making special cake for
their Dominic" he was obliged fire.
quently to go home to empty his pock-
cts of the good cheer provided by his
simple and loving tiock. On that day
the Dutch lads ard lassies met each
other with kiss, and each tried to out
do each other in hearty congratulations
and good wishes. The homemade cor
dials have retired before the elegant
imported wines, and the simple cookie
has sunk abashed from the pres
ence of the stately plum cake,
with it's frosty glittering
decorations; sensible shoes and "short
petticoats have vanished long ago,
giving way to French boots, elaborate
trains and overdresses. The somewhat
boisterous mirth and hearty good wishes
are of the past; in their stead we have
the welI-bred smiles and modulated
tones, the set phrases and hollow COM
piments of modern "New Years calls, y"
and the day, that in family reunions
gives simple, heartfelt pleasure to
many, to others, by senseless forms and
observances, ends in WEAKNESS and dis
gust. Perhaps, at the present time, the
Jews or Hebrews more properly derive
greater pleasure from the New Years
festival than any other people. Toward
the end of our September, their civil
year begins with the month Tisri, the
first day of which is faithfully observed;
all business being suspended, the ut
most good humor and jolity prevail in
Israelitish circles, and the day is spent
in visiting, attending entertainments,
and faring sumptuously; the congratu-
lations and "Happy New Years" heard
in early autumn when Hebrews meet,
sound strange to those in whose minds
New Years Day is associated with blus-
tering Winds and driving SHOWS, ruddy
fires and evergreens.
The close of the year is saddening.
Then we take aretrospect, count up our
losses, marvel at the mistakes and errors
OF the past, lay new and better plans
for life, make high resolves alas! too
often, only to be broken, as the annual
turning over a new leaf" SO mourn
fully attests. The dawn of the New
Year is joyous In all households, save
those Swallowed by the presence of the
Ozark Angel, Death.
Where henceforth, listen as they will,
The voices of their hearth are still;
Look where they may, the wide earth DER,
Those lighted faces smile no more"
Yet Love will dream, and Faith will trust,
lSlnce he who knows their need is just,)
That somehow, somewhere, meet they must