The Indianapolis journal., 1893-12-31
A CUSTOM oyEpDONE.

A CUSTOM OvEnDONE.
The custom Of making New Years calls
has so far fallen into d.suse that it can no
longer be called a custom. AS originally
practiced. it was pleasing observance of
an annual holiday. There is a general feel
ing that the first day OF a new year should
be in some manner set apart from other
days, and that there is fitness in cele-
brating 1t by neighborly intercourse and a
renewal of old friendships cannot be de-
MED. Whether the custom in question re-
suited from the suggestion Of some social
genius or grew into popularity through a
common and spontaneous recognition of its
appropriateness. it was the outcome of a
happy thought. In spite of their absorption
in business and distaste for the formalities
of society, men have sufficient social in
stinct to enjoy an occasional meeting with
old acquaintances, though they may not
care TO make new ones. To call on these
friends at their homes on New Years day,
to exchange greetings to manifest an inter-
"reminiscences perhaps, served to strength
en- old ties and to brighten the opening
cycle of months in a surprising way. All
this remained true while the friends they
and primitive sense; when they were at
leisure for the chat and personal gossip
possible only among friends and subject
only to interruption by the coming of other
friends who added to the sense of reunion.
But this agreeable state of affairs cid not
last. With the propensity of Americans TO
spoil good thing by OVERRIDING it, an at
tempt was made to improve upon this New
Years custom, with the inevitable result
that what was once popular and pleasing
speedily became unpopular and wearisome,
of remaining at their own fireside to well
come their friends in informal but hospit-
able manner, women began to flock to-
gether, to array themselves in gorgeous
attire to provide elaborate feasts. to make
of what was simple. homely and home
like reception fashionable and oppressive
function. The distinctive charm of the GUS
tom was at once lost To society men. So
called, the new fashion had no special at
traction, for they could attend similar
gatherings at any time; men who found no
pleasure in crowds or in meeting strangers
could not be persuaded that the new regime
was equal to the old. and so gave up the
social observance of the day. The excuse
is made in large cities that the distances
make such observance difficult if not impos-
sible, but the true reason of its abandon
ment there, as elsewhere, is undoubtedly
the increased formality and the correspond
ing loss of personal interest in the occa-
sion. 1t might be better if American men
had more of the gregarious spirit and were
as willing to mingle socially with a multi
tude as with twos and threes, but since this
is not the case and a change to such con-
dition of mind seems unlikely. the vanish
ing of a fashion that. at it's best. was good
and kept alive social sentiment. Is TO be
regretted.
The same tendency to overdo custom
that is admirable only when kept within
proper boz nds is noticeable in the growing
extravaganza of the Christmas celebration.
To make the day beautiful for children by
Offering them simple gifts in memory of
the Christ child is a fashion which should
, be allowed to live; to express the spirit of
| peace and good will by special greetings or
triling remembrances between friends is
| custom that has it's social and spiritual
| benefits. But because so much is good
| are SO loaded down with gifts that they
| lose sight of the givers motive and become
exacting as to what they receive and criti-
cal OF the quality. Among older persons
| the money value of gift is so often a
| measure of it's welcome that other consider
| ations are lost sight of Too often the re-
! ception of a token that should only suggest
love and kindness causes a feeling of OBJ
| LEGATION. So much is done and so much
| expected that for many the season has
| become a burden hardly to be endured
| Unless common sense brings about re-
| turn to the original spirit and simplicity of
| the gift observance that custom will be
| abandoned, like the one of New Years
calls.
| THE PASSION FOR PUBLIC EMPLOY
|