New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-01-16
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL
REFORMATION OF THE CALENDAR.

PROPOSITION FOR CELEBRATING NEW YEARS
DAY AT THE TINE MARKED BIZ THE SUN.
TO the Editor Of Tho Tribune.
Sir: Why should we continue to celebrate New Years
Day several days after the real beginning Of the yearf
Why should not the civil year be made TO coincide with
the astronomical year when things are done with
special reference to time and place. then time and
place assume importance which they would
not otherwise have. Of the present calendar
answers all practical purposes, but the celebration Of
anniversaries is largely matter OF sentiment. IN
deed there are none but sentimental reasons why New
Years Day should be observed at oil. Practically
there are why the 4OOth anniversary Of the
discovery OF America should not be celebrated 4ol
years after the event yet It Is matter OF general
regret that the great Western metropolis could not
come to time. No one would think Of observing the
birthday Of himself his friends q week before or
week after the true anniversary for reasons OF con-
venence yet there much better reasons FOR cels-
brat,ng the birth Of the New Year the day OF the
event since that Is much moro important and Observ-
able phenomenon.
The anclents who had not 50 many calendars and
almanacs ms we have ard who reckoned time largely
By the motions OF the heavenly bodies. were Of course
very careful to note. every year, the time OF the
solstlce standing still Of the sun at the end OF his
southwark Journey This was TO them the beginning
Of the New Year Il is In fact the real beginning OF the
year. one OF the four points by which the year Is
divided into seasons, and tho most important and
observable OF them all 1t is. indeed the one period
which all Northern nations would not fail TO notice. the
period OF promise and hope after Incl easing depression
and gloom.
When the year divided into twelve months OF
thirty days each the five days at the end Of the year
which did not belong to any month we're regarded rs
natural holidays-by means q bad den-and this
period would cover tho time when the sun seems TO
stand still. The habit OF holiday making mt this
period was formed long before Christmas was assigned
to the cf December and long before tho adoption
Of the present calendar 1t Is said that Julius Caesar
In introducing tho calendar, intended to make the
beginning OF the first month coincide with the timo
OF the winter solscc that owing TO the reDssness
Of those who had the matter in charge, or important
affairs Of State the proclamation had to be DELAYED
ten days, and that that Is the reason why we are
now celebrating New Years Day ten days after inc
beginning Of the Year. IT, In reforming the Julian
calendar Pope Gregory XIII had had regard 10 tne
sun, which controls the seasons Instead ~ 10 inc
Council Of Nice which had no such important mncuoh;
the mistake might have easily been corrected, ana
new style would have been right style.
hut, regard to truth for Its own s.kc ana sense
Of eternal fitness Of things. shall avail Sumcenty
the correction may still be made by the consent OF
civilized nations, and In manner similar 70 Una.
by which standard time was adopted In the Cnltcd
states There are yet eight In which TO agree
upon change, 10 take effect with the beginning o,
the new century All that Is necessary Is an agreement
TO make the LIST OF January, l0Oc, follow lmmeda'e
after the Goth OF December 1300 IL might be we'll az
the same time, 90 restore TO poor htue feoruary te
day of which il was robbed by the Roman Senate IN
order natter Augustus, by making MS nlonln c'"
| TO that of the great julius ., ~. u fohlEH.
| " waterbury Coma Jan o, 1892.