The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-12-31
NEW YEARS CUSTOMS.
By1k snozyrr1D

Christian festival, 50. too. we Huc many
Of the Ne-R Years doings Of cur sere-
fathers were but remnants Of bygone
customs Of various nations.
The Jews, Chinese, Romans. and No
hammedars, although differing as to the
time from which they reckoued the com
nencement Of the year, ali regarded It as
a day Of especial interest. Says Abbott;
The old Roman year began in March,
and on the first day Of the year the fss-
tIval Aneylia was celebrated, when the
SAlii, or Friests Of Mars, carried the sa-
cred shield in procession through the
city, and the people spent the day in
feasting ard rejoicing. The same sacred
ness was attached to the first day Of the
year after the change took place in the
Roman calender, which made January
the commencing month, instead Of
March,
Piiny tells us that on the first day Of
January people wished each other health
and prosperity and sent presents to each
other. It was accounted 4 public holi-
day, and games were celebrated in the
Campus Nartius. The people gave them
selves up 10 riot0us excess and various
kinds Of heathen superstition. It was to
offer colnter influence, and to protect
Christians against its contagious debauch-
cry and superstition, that Christian as
| semblies we're at last held on the first
day Of January.
The early disciples strOve TO exhibit in
their life the contrast between the Christ
ian and the heathen temper, 10 substitute
aims for New Years gifts, readings from
Scripture for merry songs, and fasts for
riotous feslsting. This principle was grad
ualIy adopted in the practice Of the West
ern Church and three days Of peuitence
and fasting were opposed to the pagan
celebration Of january. until the time Of
Christ's birth being designated. when the
festival Of Christ's circumcision was
I transferred to this season
In the time Of Na-na Pompilius the
day was dedicated to Janus. the double
faced diely. who faced the future while
he looked back upon the past. The Ro-
/ mans offered nim cake Of sifted meal.
with incense, salt, and vine. The Hin
dus called the first day Of the year the
day Of the Lord Of Creation. It is sacred
to the God Of Wisdom, TO whom they
sacrifice male kid and wild deer. while
they celebrate with iIluminations and
general rsioicings-
says one The Chinese begin their
year about the vernaI equinox, and the
: festival observed on the occasion is one
Of the most splendid of their religious
feasts. All the people, including the
( Emperor, mingle in free and unrestrained
intercourse, and unite in thanksgiving
I for mercies received, As well as in prayers
fora genial season and an abundant crop.
( In japan the day Is spent in feasting and
visiting
Among the ancient Persians prisoners
we're liberated and offenders forgiven.
and thus the Persian Sew Year some
what resembIed the sabbatical year Of
the Jews. @The Feast Of Trumpetsp is
another ceremony kept in continuance
by many, especially the Jews, and
thought appropriate for the beginning Of
their New Year.
The OH Romans considered it peculiar
/ y lucky to begin any new enterprise or
TO enter upon any new office upon New
Years Day. All the mechanics began
something Of their art or trade, and men
Of letters did the same as to book. poem.
I etc. And the cousuls, though chosen
before, took their chairs and entered up
on their duties this day After the gov
! eminent was in the hands Of the emper-
ors, the eonsuls, all in new clothes,
marched on New Yew Years Day to the
Capitol, attended By crowd, where two
white bulls, never before yoksd, we're
( sacrificed to Jupiter Capitolinus. 4 great
I deal Of incense and other perfumes was
/ spent IN the temple. The hamens, to-
( gether with the eO1suls. during the reliZ-
4 iOus solemnity, offered their vows for the
Z prosperity OF the empire and the en-
I peror, having taken the oath of allezi-
ance and confirmed al public acts done
by him during the preceding year, fss-
{ tivities took place among all classes, and
lasted several days. 1t was a time Of
universal rejoicing. when presents we're
exchanged, and ali differences were rec
onciled.
The Druids also sacrificed two white
bulls, and at the same time the ceremony
Of cutting the mistleto was performed.
! one Of the priests, clothed in white.
mounted the tree and cut the mistIetoe
with a knife Of gold, which was received
/ by another priest standing the ground
in his white robe. The sacrifice was
then performed, and prayers we're offered
TO God 70 send blessing upon his own
gift Tle plant thus gathered vas sup
posed to bestow fertility upon man and
beast, and to be a specific against ali sorts
Of poison. Houses and temples we're
adorned With it, and many superstitioEs
/ held in connection with it.
It was considered unlueky. in some
( parts OF Germany, to leave any w7rz IN
anishe,I and It was supposed that Lady
Berchta-s mythical spiritual being, Who
has the oversight Of sinners-was anger
ed by it. The last day Of the year is
sacred 70 her and il she fnds any fax
EFF on the distaf that dIy. she spoils =
There vas a curious Oriental crstom
L peculiar 20 the day, called BY the Arabs
and Persians the game Of the beardless
rider 4 deformed man whose hair has
been shaved OF and his face Iudicrousiy
painted with variegzted colors, rides
through the streets on an ass. and be-
hages in the most whimsical and extrav-
agant manner, 70 the great delight OF the
multitudes that follow. IN this manner
/ he proceeds from door 70 door. soliciting
small pieces Of money. A similar Gus
tom Is still found in various parts Of
Scotland, under the name Of glizarding
II Eagiaad. amid the ringingof church
bells. ringing out the old year and usher.
ing in tie new, it was customary for the
Young women Of the vili4ge % csrry
from 1oor 20 door a bowl Of spieed ale