Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1876-01-01
OLYMPIA. SATURDAY MORNING, JAN. I, 1873.
TIE CENTENNIAL YEAR.

The year upon which we enter to-day
marks an important epoch in our eoun-
try's history. 1t brings into view the
half-forgotten incidents connected with
our nations struggle for independence,
and will light anew the patriotic fires as
the mind dwells upon the hardships
and sacrifices of that sanguinary strug-
gle. Our people are about to take a
holiday and have invited their neighbors,
with true Yankee shrewdness, to come
over the seas and help to do honor to
the occasion as well as to contribute a
share to the general expenses. Pro-
badly the world has never witnessed,
and may never witness again, an exhib-
ition of greater magnitude, than that
which will take place in Philadelphia
next July. Every part of the civilized
world will be represented, and the ma
tons will be impercertibly drawn to-
gether and their friendship cemented
by the closer acquaintance which will
result.
The beginning of 1876, is, therefore,
fraught with more than the usual in
terest to Americans, who have general
ly observed it as season for RETROSPECT
ton and of good resolves for the flu
ture. 1t is more sacred to them than
even in olden times, when it was cele-
brated as q religious as we'll os social
holiday.
The Romans instituted the custom of
making presents on New Years Day.
The gifts were of triAing value, and in
tended simply as indicative ofgood.will.
Later, however, in the middle ages,
the custom was made the means of add
ing to the royal revenue, and among
kings and their powerful vassals, the
interchange of presents was distin-
gushing feature of the day. Henry
III. of England and Queen Elizabeth
were specially noted as the recipient of
all sorts of presents, even from their
humblest subjects. 1t is said that the
wardrobe and Jewels of the latter were
almost wholly supplied by these annual
contributions.
DIR. Drake says that, although the
queen made returns to the new years
gifts, in plate and other articles, she
took care that the balance should be in
her own favor. AS late as 1892, as ap-
pears from the " Monthly Miscellany"
for December of that year, the English
nobility were accustomed, every new
years tide" to "s send to the king q
purse with gold in it," Under the Tu-
doris andStuarts new years gifts were
given and received with mutual wishes of
ahappy new year, among all conditions
ofpsople. An orange stuck with cloves
or a gilt nutmeg was popular gift;
pants sent their landlords capons,
and ladies received presents Of gloves
:: Us, or in lieu thereof contribu-
ton in money, whence the terms
"glove money" and "pin money"
Brand in his "Popular Antiquites
enumeratcs many ceremonies and su-
perstitious practices observed by the
English and Scottish peasantry on the
first day of the year, which, together
with the once almost universal bestow-
al of gifts, have very much declined.
In England the ringing in the new
year from the belfries of churches is
now the only open demonstration OF
Joy at the recurrence of the anniver-
sary. In Germany many ceremonies
derived from old supersitions are in
vogue; but throughout continental Eu.
rope, although the day is universal
holiday. congratulatory wishes have
been generally substituted for the more
substantial expressions of esteem for
merly interchanged by friends. In
Paris and other large cities, almost in
credible sums are still expended in bon
bons and similar articles for presents.
In the city Of New York the day is
made the occasion of social visits by
gentlemen among the families of their
acquaintance-a custom dating back
almost to the settlement by the Dutch,
and which has been initiated with more
or less success in other places in the
United States.
PEncENrAeE.-A very simple rule to
find the percentage Of profit on articles
sold is TO subtract the cost from the