The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1895-12-27
TEE NEW YEAR.

The beginning of the year is always an
interesting point in the flight of time. The
business man balances his accounts, and
opens new books. The moralist tells us it
is time to form better habits, to deter
mine to avoid the errors and mistakes of
the past and resolve to be stronger. 1t is
often, indeed, turning point for better
or for worse, financially and morally. New
Years day is always fraught with signifi-
cameo Ancient and modern people of civ
ilized habits, while differing as to the iden-
teal dav from which to reckon the begin
ming of the civil year, have agreed in dis
tinguishing it from other days in some
way. We have seen it noted how appro
be the first day of the first month of the
wear, as far as the Northern Hemisphere
is concerned; since its beginning near the
solstice, the year is thus made to present
complete series of change in seasons and
ope rations, including equally the first
movements of spring and the death Of all
annual vegetation in the frozen arms OF
winter The earliest calendars however, as
as the Jewish, Egyptian and Greek, did
mot Dloco tho COMMENCEMENT of the wear
at this point. 1t was not done until the
formation of the Roman calendar, usually
attributed to the second King, Mum: Pom
pilius, whose reign ended 612 B. G. Numa,
it is said, having decreed that the year
should commence now added two new
months to the ten into which the year had
previously been divided, calling the first
Jannarius in honor of Janus, the deity sup
posed to preside over doors (Latin jdnud,
door who might very naturally be pre-
sumed also to have something to do with
the opening of the year.
Although, however, there was a general
popular regard for the 1st of January as
the beginning of the year, the ancient Jew
ish year, which opened with the 25th of
March, continued long to have a legal posi-
ton in Christian countries. In England
it was not until 1852 that the first of jan
uary became the initial day of the legal, as
it had long been of the popular year. In
Scotland this desirable change was made
by decree of James VI in privy council
in the year 1900 1t was effected in France
III 1864, in Holland, Protestant Germany
and Russia in 100, and in Sweden in lob.
With every one the vanishing year will
carry with it much that may be pleasant to
recall, and much also that may cause a
pang of sorrow Whatever may be its
memory, let us concern ourselves now
about the Giving present" and turn our
thoughts to the future. If amendments are
to be made, let them De maze unucf inc
light of experience. Each one should re-
solve to do his duty manfully and cheer
fully in whatever calling it may be his lot
to pursue. In this way he can make him
self happy, and brighten the lives of those
about him
The year 1895 ought to be Il memorable
one to the people of this Town. Through
the efforts of some of our enterprising cit
liens fountain of pure water has been
provided, which is certainly the greatest
blessing the town has received for many
years 1t is never ending source of COM
fort and refreshment for both man and
Least May the music of the sparkling
and ever-fowing fountain be an express
ion of our gratitude to the bountiful Civ
er of all good things"