The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-01-04
NEW YEARS DAY.
AND HOW OBSERVED IN THE CITY OF
MANY HILLs-CALLER Rs OUT
IN FORCE.
Numerous Private Calls and Three Open
Houses Keep the Gentlemen on the
Go-The Ladies' Receive Midst
Most Elegant surroundings.
Beautiful Day.


in that character held a key in his
right hand and d rod in his left to
symbolic his opening and ruling the
year. sometimes he bore the num-
Der 300 in one hand and 65 in he
other, the number of its days. Again
at other times he was represented
with four heads and placed in tenn
pie of tour equal sides, as emblems of
the four seasons and the twelve
months over which he presided.
Fosbrooke in his encyclopedia OF
antiquities adduces various authorities
to show that congratulation presents
and visits were made by the Romans
on New YEARS. day, and the famous
Doctor Drake is OF the opinion that
the wardrobe and jewelry of Queen
Elizabeth were principally supported
by these New YEARS. contributions
which were humOly protfered by all
callers. Nearly all the peers and
peeresses, all the bishops, chief Off
GERS of stats and even the queens
household gave her gifts ana while
she made returns to these in gifts ut
plate and other articles, she took
care that the balaace should be in
her own favor. Charles Lamb in his
excellent essay on New YEARS. Eve
says every man hath two birthdays;
two days at least in every year which
set him upon revolving The laps OF
tinnn a il "a fFAnfg h iu boil I'm
The one Is that which in an especial
manner he termeth his. La the grad
ual desuetude OF old observances
this custom of sOlemnlsing ouI
proper birthday hath nearly passed
away, or is lett to children, who reflect
nothing at all about the matter, mol
understand anything beyond the cake
and orange. But the birth of O new
year Is of an interest too wide to be
permitted by king or cObbler. No one
ever regarded the first of January with
Indifference. 1t is that from which all
date their time and count upon what
is left. 1t is the nativity o.
our common Adam" In con
sldering of this truth so pointedly
sp0ke en- in what more suitable q man
ner could the first day OF the year be
solemni lied than by social welcome
True, great pomp and much display
OF a national nature might add to the
grandeur of the occasion, but certainly
could not add to its pleasures. Fal
from that, it would make the day one
to be avoided, for there is never
pleasure where pOmp and pride
hold sway. However the Gus
tom that has been prevalent
since time immemoral of exchanging
social calls on that day-when lovely
woman dispenses the hospitalities o.
the day as only she can-has served
to ever surround the day with pleas.
ures of a most lasting nature. In the
south, here especially where that rare
and radiant queen Ofgrace and beauty
"a southern wOman-holds the scep
ter OF love andtriendship, the day l.
one ever signal in the history Of
the year. In what more fitting
way could year be received than
by social reunion. We are all then
standing on neutral ground. What
the future has in store for US we
know not. Some will live and pros.
per, others live but in sorry. Be that
as it may, for one brief space, fig
uratively speaking, the hour glass o.
time with all its hidden destinies has
ceased to run. We live but
for the day and know moi
care aught of the morrow. Such il
should be. While yesterday in Aug
tin Was not marked by "a long list o
open houses. get the pleasures of the
day were none the less enjoyable
The callers started out in carriages
and buggies about o'clock anC
called on many intimate friends
at their homes before making tn,
rounds of the houses public
ly open. At these latter named
they were treated to most beautiu
sight. Lovely woman in all TIT
glamour of silk and satin amid th,
| loveiest of flowers aad the most sle
CANT of surroundings were cordially
dispensing the hOspitalities of TIT
Gay in - manner most grocious The
weather was all that tho most exact
ing could ask. Queen z5phyr ha(
commanded her subjects to HE away
to Boreas' northern home and see
that the weather wa: all ttAt
could be desired and tina
stern old king had TOR one
complied with the timid but earnes
plea of Queen Zephyr and the atmns
phere yesterday was delightfully."- COG
and yet not unpleasantly cold. Tn
capitol city from Governor Hogg an
the other state officers on down to tn
dude was IN the swim. Tn day wa
a constant round Ot enjoyment, tn
pleasures of which ware protracted b
the Germans in the evening until a
ter lO'clock this morning.
THE EXECUTIVE MANSION.
The hours at the executive mansi0
were from to 10 p. m. and durin
that time the large double parlOi
We're crowded with a thrOpg OF vi,i
Ors, who made constant demand
|. for attention upon the fair ladies r,
ceiving In honor of the occasion Ia
mansion within was prOtusely deco
ated in ivy, moss anu flowers. Tn
former was trailing in graceful lo0r
around the cOrnic6 aud from n
chandelier, while the flowers wei
seen peepIug nom their coy hooks i
banks Ot moss on every hand. III
dining room was veritable bower
lOveliness. the decorations being
the same order that marked the 7,
msinder of the house, but decided
mara Drpfusa than eIsaubara ,NT;5