The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1884-01-04
New Years GIFTS.

The social observanees of the
first day of the New Year appear
to have oeen very similar in all
ages. From the earliest recorded
commemorative services, Ne find
reference to feasting and the In
terehange OF presents as usages of
the day.
In oLien times, as now, they en-.
joyed finding out what their trends
wished, without their knowledge.
The Roman emperor required his
noble subjects to bring him mag.
nilcent offerings on New Years
day. Suebarius alludes to the
bringing of presents to the capital
and Tacitus makes q similar refer.
ence TO the practice OF giving aud
receiving New Years gifts.
THIS pleasant custom was con.
tinued by the Christian.
into which tho Western Empire
was divided. In "SIerrie Englandn
We find numerous examples of it,
even as a part Of the public ex.
penditurc Of the court, as tar down
as the reign OF Charles II; and,
according to antiquarian writer's
the custom of in:erchanging pres.
ents was common in all classes OF
society. We are told that Queen
Elizabeth especially on this day
received jewels aud splehdid ap-
parel from her citizens.
The old Romans not only made
presents upon this day, but they
guarded every word and act, super.
stitiously believing the first day
She was half afraid he would read
of the new year to be au omen that
controlled the followed days.
Emerson calls our token of com.
pliment and love for the most part
barbarous. "Rings and other
jeweIs,' says he, "are not gifts,
but apologies for gifts. The only
gilt is u portion Of thyself."
Is not the old philosopher right
The giving which affection prizes
most is not OF gems, and gold, aud
costly fabrics, but Of the heart.
Love revels in cost [; 1t spurns to
offer what has been purchased AT
no price of thought, or care, o,
sacrifice. Butt it is purchased, IL
pebble Is as precious as the dia
mnnd.
The gold, frankincense ant
myrrh of Eastern kings are pool
aud mean beside love, aud that II
the one gift We should ever otfel
upon the Christmas or New Year,
morn, be 1t expressed in tho home
liest or the costliest guise.
A smile, a kiss, look of cordial
welcome, u warm grasp of hand,
the bright face, the look OF CRATE.
| full affection, the sweet word ten
derly spoken, the pardon craved
for harshness, the happy reminis.
cence ct life enjoyed together
these are better, in the eyes ol
those who love us, than costly
jewels or gifts that money buys.
There is a story told of o musi
clan that illustrates MIR. Emerson's
principle of gifts being % portion Of
thyself. MIR. George Combe, the
Scotch phrouologist, when travel
Hing on the continent of Europe
fell in with a distinguished musi
clan as u fellow.passenger in O
stage.coach. While talking with
him ofhis profession the artist re
marked that he had a son who was
as accomplished O. performer or
his fayorite instrument, the violin
as himself.
IL discovered" said he, ''that b,
had remarkable talent for musi,
when he was about six years o
age. On one of my birthday morn
ings was awakened from sleep a
break OF DAY by hearing my favor
ite instrument most enchantingly
"In delighted amazement,I toss
ed away the clothes, and locke,
out, and what did l behold M,
darling boy thus making o presen
to his father. Iiound, ou investi
cation, that months before he hat
obtained the instrument from hi
mother, together with her consen
to his little plan, So be practicet
that one tune particularly and con
tinually until be had perfected him
self in it. Then, when the day
came. and the dawn first cleaned
he stole to his fathers bedside and
poured his birthday present into
his ear.o
"And what did you do, sir 7
inquired Mr.. Combe.
81 weptw was the reply.
All, giving is tho soul of living
anil every New Years gift shouls
be a holy thing.