The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1874-12-26
NEW YEARS.
How Our Grandfathers and Grand
mothers Observed the Festival
a Hundred Years Ago.

made by some of the new Puritan stock
to abolish the good old custom of OBJ
sewing New Years Day, which mad
been derived from the Dutch founders
IF New York. and had existed on the
Island Of Manhattan from time imme-
mortal The ancient knickerbockers
became indignant lit the proposition, and
Mr.. John Pintard, notable citizen in
those days, published IN the New York
Mirror Of 1892, the following defense of
tht Old custom, which our readers will
hud interesting:
Ia the early days Of the original set
TIERS oE Nieuw Amsterdam when the ex-
tyut 1T the city was comprised within
very narrow bounds, proceeding from
the battery along the shore of the East
river on the south, through William
street on the east, Wall street on the
north. and the bank of the Hudson on
the westJ, New Years Dag was celebrat-
III with boisterous mirth, that literally
made the weikin ring" with happy
New Year. Every family within the
above precincts was visited and kindly
greeted The customary New Years
beverage, and sugar and honey cookies
were lavishly distributed. After the
conquest of the Nieuw Netherlands by
the English, Dutch customs and man
uars, melLowed BY time and foreign
utermiztre, still predominated and
retained their influence until the
war Of Independence. On New
Years Day the churches Of every
denomination were opened, as at
present, for divine worship; and
The congregations attended to render
taauha to God for the mercies Of the
past, and to supPlicate His blessing for
the future. Afterwards visits We're paid
ta their d0Hlfufcs, relations, friends
ana acquaintances, and kindly greetings
rscIprocally iuterchnge1. The New
Year drink and cookies loaded the ia
lias Isid boards were then unknown.
and none went empty away 1t is re-
lated Of Dominic DE Eoude that he re
turned home II half dozen times, at
least, to dishurdan his pockets Of their
contents, and which were Of no mean
capacity. although Of not equal ampli-
uIe with those of Governor WOuter
Van Iwlilers QidCi Hegcrt irOtC most
beloved wife,, as described by the i'm
mortal knickerbocker IN his delectable
history; the weight of which was conn
tarp0ised by huge hook Of ponderoUs
,zs such as our ancestors did use,
which gave a circumference to the nat
Ural rotuEdity Of this august parsonage
tla1 might vie with the dimensions of
,Aa inflated balloon bellies Of the pre-
sent tlmI.
New Years day is always a day of
f...-t4,E ;, 4-T4e1 i,.,,ta1 ,rra1E
la-s among all classes of citizens.
Many an luminosity was eXtinguished,
ana many a friendship renewed on this
au-piei3us anniversary. 1t was custom
arv to send under the care Of their
nurses, the younger branches to be in
tr.laeeI to their kiusfolk, and thereby
ta become acquainted, and maintain
nd unite the links Of family relations.
Ae silyerliugs, the cookies, and the
blessings We're literally bestowed 10
.addgn the hearts OF the youngsters.
Shall sacriIegious hands, then, at
tempt TO PROSTATE this ancient land
mark Of our simple ancestors without a
solitary effort to preserve it? Descend
l-s of the Dutch ! emulate the exam
f.e ui the bold British Barons, who, re
>-aug the eucroachmentso of their pusil-
lauluous KING John. unsneathlng their
.uaiable weapons, and striking their
uau basket hits ON the massive oaken
EueIl table, which made the Hall re-
sound, exclaimed. NoitHjUS legCs
..l.a ulutart' Il" We viii not suffer
-ae laws Of England to be changed
I'M like manner do You Indignantly aver.
No5HuuS WoreS BgtarDrlHl mUturj
We viii net permit the customs of
holland to be ubliterated y. In
au.ee the natural propensity for
rvtelliug. of one fallen into
r-a sore and yellow leaf. to conclude
these remarks with an auecdote, for the
authenticity of which he pledges his
Teuclty. General Washington. In the
-r,r YEAR OF his presidency under the
H Constitution, lI79, resided In the
fE.aaE4 House, ut the head of Cherry
street. On New Years Day, 1890, he
Ns waited upon nv the principal gen
sy4aH n the city. The day was m
commonly lHi!d and pleasant After
trlg seyemly introduced. and paving
usual compliments of the seas On.
citizens mutually iuterchanged their
a.-a greetings and withdrew, highly
esa1aad hy the friendly notice Of the
ieat, to most Of whom he was per
4.E 2 >.raugel. In the evening Mrs.
Washington held her Eeree. 1t was about
4aou and the air 50 bland
gene, That the ladies' attended in
.-..E fit summer shades Introduced
- ne AIDS ana the gcntlemea-Iu-wait-
alter beng seated. tea, coffee,
a ld plum cake were handed round.
.r and friendly conversation en-
ana kind inquiries. ON the part of
. i aShington. after the families of
N with whom she had been ac-
mod during the Revolutionary
r. sud Who always received marked
ton from General Washington.
1ag a the side 81 the President.
g Ars. Washington, she remarked:
:. ~ tue incidents OF the day. none
Pleased the General, by which title
always designated him. IS the
.s.t greetings of the gentlemen who
ssa Ann n noon. To the inquiry
...s PRESIDENT whether it was casual
,oaolarE, he was answered that it
& aa annual custom. derived from our
yes IoTeiatlers, which had always