The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-01
NEW YEARS DAY.
Its Observance in New York In the
Olden Time.
The Old Dutch Custom Of
Making Calls.
A Dream Of New Years Calls
in 1878.

in 1878.
Let US look back over the years and see how
New Years Day was celebrated IN the olden time.
No city IN the Union enters upon it's celebration
TO the extent or with the heartiuess oil New YORK.
The custom was handed down to us by our Dutch
ancestors who began an interchange OF visits
early in the day and kept on the go until late at
night The houses were thrown OPEN and wines,
punch and cakes were served to the guests The
custom was a new one to Washington until the
winter of 1890. At that time he was living IN lne
Franklin House, at the head OF Cherry street, In
this CITY, and on New Years Day he was waited
on by the principal gentlemen in the city. Wat
son, In his Annals OF New York." gives an &C.
count OF our first Presidents first New Years
Day reception. Af,er being severaly introduced
and paving the usual compliments OF the
season the citizens mutually interchanged their
KIND greetings and Withdrew, highly 9ratifed by
the friendly notice or the President, to most Of
whom he was personally a stranger. In the even
aug Mrs. washington held her levee. Ladies at
tended and tea, coffee, plain and plum cake were
handed around, amid familiar and friendly con-
versation, and the time passed away In this inno-
cent enjoyment. To a lady standing at the side
OF the p esident, near Mrs. Washington, she re-
marked -"Of all the incidents Of the day none
has so pleased the General as the friendly greet
ings OF the gentlemen who visited him at noon"
To the inquiry OF the President whether this cele-
bration was casual or customary. gentleman re-
plied tnat 1t was an annual custom derived from
our Dutch l0refathers, which had always been
commemorated The General then Observed
.'The highly favorable situation of New York viii
IN process OF years attract emigrants who will
gradually change its ancient customs and man.
ners; but let whatever changes take place never
Observance n
Years Day." A recommendation that has been
more faithfully carried than some others OF the
great departed.
The celebration of New YEARS. Day is one OF the
Oldest customs on record, and present-making on
that day Is almost as common as on Christmas in
some countries. The festivities begin on New
Years Eve and continue throughout the night.
NEW YEARS DAY.
New Years gifts originated from the superst-
t1on that 20 have present given you on that day
Is good luck. We are supposed to rejoice with our
friends after having escaped the dangers that
attend every year, and congratulate each other
by presents and best wishes for the future.
New Years Day is celebrated in France by
making calls and presents OF bon-bons. Early in
the morning the people deck themselves out in
their best, and set out upon round OF visits
among relations and friends to wish them all a
happy new year and present the bon-bons. The
relations ar visited first and then the friends. 1t
Is matter OF polite strife to see which shall start
Arst on the visit.
The confecuoners do an immense business on
New Years Day. and their shops are decorated in
gorgeous STYLE The counters are covered with
every device French ingenuity can suggest In the
way OF Don-bon boxes. These shops are great
l0unging places during the day. Adinner Is given
by some member OF the family to which all the
relatives are invited, and the evening IS passed in
No m "a IA tnr
winch the French are celebrated. The cOnfec-
tioners' shops remain decorated uatil Twelfth
Day. when tho Twelfth Day cake Is drawn. A fair
is held the boulevards In Paris, beginning on
New Years Day and continuing for fifteen days.
The Festival Of Fools used TO be held in Paris on
shls day. at which all sorts Of indelicacies were
practised until 1t was forbidden by one OF the
POpes Debtors were unmolested at this time and
fun and frOlc were masters OF the day.
MODERN CELEBRATIONS
How do or the bOaSted nineteenth century
keep New Years Eve and New Years DayY Have
we improved much upon lhe customs or
Cestos h sun Ing eH '1 az re d cup Due hot
social glass OF wine in the drawing room on Muir
ray Hin or siXpenny cup Of whlskey down IN
mind and 10 drink "goodby'' to the departed.
LIE ROi est nlOrti Vice IL ROt!
Many people even nowadays are very supersti-
tiOus about What happens on New Years Day. If
they break a glass, hear bad news anything that
can be twisted into meaning bad luck, they leel
very blue indeed. The Methouists' Watch Night Is
very popular among people OF nearly ali denomi-
or nali-past and the pastor delivers q sermon ap-
proprate to the time, after winch there is a short
prayer meeting and then the watch begins about
hall. past eleven, and as the old year passes out
and the new year comes IN the whole oongrega.
ton are found on their knees in silent prayer.
These meetings are very solemn and impressive.
Another way Of spending the evening Is to as
friends together, and spend the night in d good
Od-asnloned irollc. Have the Kettle steamng on
the Goals, get out the best old Scotch whiskey Tor
the old folks, the champagne Tor the younger ones,
and be ready, with glass IN hand tre clock from
the nelghoorlng tower rings out the last hour OF
Every year "they say'' that ladies are going to
abolish the bar and lunch counters from their
parlors The number Is materially lessened, but
there are too many left. young lady who
thinks New th nears calls are Gdenegnu but
that she is going to lay IN stock OF soup
tickets, and ii her callers look hungrly toward the
corner where the sideboard ana table usually
stand she VIII give them ticket with directions
20 the soup house. There are many gentlemen
VINO would find it great relief II they were not
expected to and dunk with their DEAR i've
hundred friends. The custom OF making New
Years. calls Is a delightful one when not abused.
It'll nov here carried to the excess that 1t is in
this country. But then We never do things by
halves N ana pa snary here IN
lion Is made Tor New Years guests; In fact such
calls are somewhat IKE asges' visits. Ladies re.
Celve calls from their innate friends, but tables
are not spread and tue houses closed and the gas
lighted all day as IN THIS city. Families dine to-
Tor making business OF Receiving calls they
never think OF such thing.
"HeilOa! wake up there, Johnson, Pve had such
q funny DREAM" said Scott, sitting up In bed,
with the tassel oil his red nghtcap hanging over
his nose.
.'wnat did you dream that was worth waking
fellow up lOrfn questioned Johnson, wlth'a yaWn.
81 dreamed That was Kicking pebbles into the
water down at the Battery, when queer Look
tng little old man climbed up the side OF the
wharf and asked me II this was New York. re-
Piled that It was, and asked what could do Tor
him He sau that he would Ike to see about
the place II had time to show him; so helped
him to land, when, suddenly, 1 received a blow
across my eyes, and upon recovering my sight n
wonderful transformation had taken place. Where
Castle Garden stood there was fine new build
ing, heated with steam and containing every
modern convenience. The streets, which had
been nOatlng IN mud and slush when came down
town, were now clean and dry the sidewalks
were smooth and polished like marble, and the
old had gwen away TO the new. what does this
mean y said !, I'VE are lost In this place. -
OLD MAN-NO my son, you not lost, but you
are now IN the New York OF 1875, and a very line
place you Will find It,