The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-01-01

< ItrOm tlme 1mme-
lmorial. The ancient
Romans oonsecrated it to Janus, who,
ii was thought, controlled all begin
nings and made sacrifices to him. They
exchanged gracious greetings and
wishes and gave presents to friends and
kindred. The church condemned its So
cial observations and turned it into q
religious festival The Hebrews, the
Chinese and other peoples, pagans and
nonpagans, regard it superstitiously, at
taching the utmost Importance to its
celebration.
| We Americans In the last quarter of
the nineteenth century are supposed to
be wholly free from superstition. But
are we? Not few of us still imagine
that there is something auspicious in
New Years day; that as we begin the
year we may so close il. We are solicit
Gus, therefore, toresolve to relinquish bad
habits then, under the impression that
we shall relinquish them altogether. In
other words, we determine ON that day
to turn over a new leaf, as we have
probably determined for many previous
years, and there our determination and
reformation end. This is exactly the
way the old Romans acted more than
| 90 centuries since which proves that
we have not advanced much I'm reason
ableness. despite our assumptions to the
contrary. 1t is a problem whether men
| who continue In mature life to yield to
their weaknesses or fail 70 rectify their
faults are capable of correcting them
selves Whether capable or incapable,
they rarely do So Their good resolutions
seldom bear fruit. They terminate. for
the most part, in words. in promises to
themselves, in mockeries of perform
ance What man is at 40 he is apt to
remain. No amount of New Years re-
solves will help him who is not full Of
virtuous endeayor Jan. dawns bright
ly to the mind, bat the succeeding days
conclude dismally as to achievement.
Nevertheless its recurrence must ever
be pleasant. IL ii does not bring accom-
plishment, ii at least brings hope, and
hope nerves Us to bear our burdens, to
discharge our duties. Then welcome
New Years. We dearly love to think
that the cares and troubles Of the old
year, which so largely spring from our
temperament, will not invade the new
one.
Originally New Years was intended
not for q universal, miscellaneous
calling day, without motive or pro-
priety. into which il ultimately degen-
Grated. 1t was intended for day when
men who had been prevented during
the year by business or any condition of
circumstances from keeping up their
friendship or acquaintance with women
they liked or esteemed should make So
cial atonoment for apparent neglect and
renew their pleasant relations. The idea
was excellent and commendable, as
was the custom, and before this city
grew to be such Babylon the calls
were agreeable, often delightful, TO
makers and receivers. But the city be-
came too big, and the community that
assumed to represent society in some
manner, more or less remote, became
too heterogeneous. The custom was
grossly abused. Many men and women
thought only Of the number of calls,
ignoring quality for quantity, aud some
times the scenes indoors and outdoors
waxed disreputable from overindul-
gence.
The better sort of people, repelled by
the license prevalent, refused to ''re-
ceive" any longer. The smart set who
had long believed calling too common"
they declared, with their pretense Of
superiority, that il had grown vulgar
set themselves and their influence firm
ly against il. They refused 10 see visit
ors on that day and soon after shut up
their houses and fed TO the country,
thus setting the seal of fashion ON their
last decision, which speedily met with
social approval. The fact was that re-
spectacle folk had got tired Of the ex-
trcme 10 which calling had been car
ried, and tho coarse, Objectionable class
could not sustain it alone. So the whole
thing fell to pieces here, and there is no
probability Of its reconstruction in the
Immediate future.
The custom extended long ago TO 9th
er cities and is still followed But as
the metropolis makes the mode its du-
ration is doubtful. New Years is yet a
holiday-holidays are always whole
some-and business of all kinds Is sus-
pended. Sons. husbands, fathers, now
stay at home, instead Of racing about
town. firing aud boring themselves 10
little purpose, and they are gaiifrs.
along with thoir families by the change
New Years In its old guise has passed
away. But New Years with its quiet,
domestic -aeeesspsHifaeHts- hes -eeae 90
remain. The world moves. And New
Years Is still New Years, with its sense
Of freshness, repose and,recovored hope.