Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1897-12-23

cision. The Church of England ADOPTED
the festal occasion thousand years later
During all this time the countries Of Eu-
rope had separated the legal from the pop
ular year. and i'm England not until 1902
was the 18th of March abolished as the
beginning Of the former and the first OF
January made the starting point OF both.
Long ere this happened, however, the
day was celebrated by the people Of Eng
land and Scotland. 1t was the custom
for the members of the household to as
semble on the evening of the last Of the
year, before the great fireplace of the
hall, and pass the time i'll gayety. When
the hour of midnight came the whole COM
pany arose, the host held aloft a great
bowl of hot wine, prepared with many
spices, and drank to the health Of all. The
Saxons said "Waes haep tyour health
and the custom is therefore called that Of
the wassail bowl. Each of the family
and guests took the bowl in turn and
passed it to his neighbor. The best of
feeling prevailed. Songs were sung, and
as the cup made the rounds the whole
company would join in chorus some
thing like this:
''Weel may we a be-
Ill may we never see;
Here's TO the king
And the guide companie!
New Years greetings were then passed
from one to another and wishes for sue
cess in business or love were interchang
F, ed.
In this country there is little Of the sort
| Of jollification common to Britain or even
to our own land fifty years ago. 1t was
the custom, especially in New York,
where the sturdy Hollanders are said to
have originated it, TO spend the eve of the
| New Year in company with friends
around great flagons of wine and ale. On
the morrow every man, young, old or mid
dle-aged, donned his best hat and new
breeches and called upon his friends and
acquaintance. Nor were the ladies UNI
prepared, for the tables bore great bur-
dens of roast turkey and other fowl,
meats and toothscme dishes of many
kinds, and foaming ale, Of which the
| Knickerbockers partook to their hearts
delight. This custom spread in later
years until throughout the greater portion
of the United States it was the prevailing
occupation of the day. Not many years
ago groups of young men, dressed in their
newest clothes, armed with canes and
with flowers in their coat lapels, might
be seen on New Years Day, hurrying
here and there, in twos or threes or alone,
to pay off long-standing social obligations.
They left for each of the ladies upon
whom they called cards bearing various
devices, but almost universally having
the customary salutation Of the day, "a
Happy New Year" Entering, they would
greet the hostess and her assistants, con,
verse for few moments, partake of the
proffered refreshments. and hurry away
to the next place on their list. AT times
it was the fashion to make a record il
the number of calls. Then, from early
morning till midnight, callers would walk
run, ride, ring door bells, hurry in ant
out again, all in the best of humor, leav
ing pleasant words and laughter every
. where in their wake.
The custom has died away. Its decline
began some years ago, when here anC
there, upon the bell or door knob of th'
house, small basket was hung to re
ceive the cards of those who might call
, 1t meant that the family was not "a
home" or rather that the ladies were no
! receiving" No longer do the fair one
| gossip together in anticipation of the frs
E caller, talk him over when he has gone
| or sigh for one more caller to make tn
list 200 A few old men still go tn
rounds, but they are the last leaves OF
the tree and will soon drop altogether
Although the fashion is gone, the spiri
which prompted it still exists. Nova
days, upon the eve Of the New Year, par
ties are given. The older folks talk, pla.
cards and sing; the young people dane
and romp till midnight. Then each on
vies with all the others In wishing. -
Happy New Year." Bells are rung, whis
ties blow, and guns belch forth their roar
to welcome the newborn babe Of time
The more serious-minded gather In tn
churches and watch the old year out wit
services of song and prayer. Bushes
men have figured up their gains an
losses. and new plans are ready for tn
year to come. The day itself is given u
to family reunions, the club, skating o
driving, visit to the theater, or boo
and pipe at home. The ncwsboys at
not forgotten. They deliver to their cu'
toners, special Addresses" In gay covers
prepared for them by the newspapers, 70
which the little fellows receive amount
varying with the generosity of the give
4 The pqstman, too, is Remembered with
gift for his faithfulness through the'yea
The custom OF giving presents in tn
country, however, Is for the most pal
confined to Christmas. In England, Ne
Years Day receives the greater obser'
ance In the matter Of gifts. The Frcncl
too, make presents almost universally Q
the first Of the year. Gloves, pins, jew
elry, and sweetmeats are among the
Il - a a. -. =