New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-01
HAPPY, HAPPY NEW YEAR!
HOW THE DAY is CELEBRATED AMONG
THE NATIONS.
ITS ADVENT WELCOMED BY SWINGING BELLS.
FRIENDLY MEETINGS. SOCIAL REUNIONS
AND DIvINAToRY RITES.

FRIENDLY MtEllNt> SDNlNb hr>N->iD->'
AND DIvINATORY RITES.
New Years Day goes back into the realm of
antiquity far back of Christmas. oil peoples,
however they may have differed as 20 the years
length or the date upon which the new year should
begin have united In this that it should he prop
erly celebrated From time immemoria as well
artists scuptors poets and especially those versa
tile fellows. the almanac makers, have with one
accord persOnifed the outgoing year as a gray
bearded veteran quite ready be gathered to his
fathers. while the New Year. robustous, curly
pated chorub advances gayly to take HE place.
Notwithstanding the great English poet-laureate
sings:
Toll We the church bell sad and slow.
And tread softly and speak low,
For the old year lies a-dying
the "toling" is quickly drowned in the merry
chimes that welcome the new incumbent. lie roi
est mort Vive lie roi,
The advent Of the year has always been
time OF rejoicing, not alone with the Greeks and
Romans. but with the nations still older. Varied
we're the ways in which the festival kept. but
in this they all agreed. that time Of new life
had come that old quarrels must be forgiven, old
debts cancelled and everything possible should be
done to create feeling Of goodwill toward men,"
AS New Years IS celebrated It's importation has
reached us through France. which in turn In
debted TO the Latns In France II is stu the most
important day OF the year in the way Of friendly
meetings and appointments and social and family
reunions. The typical frenchman on TINS day
always dimes at home with his parents. Il he has
any, and no outside attraction Is sufficient to lure
him away from the performance OF this filial duty
Among the Chinese their New Years Is the great
day OF the year. when all business is suspended, and
The most lavish hospitality prevails
On New Years Day the children Of the Walachs
and the trans Danubian Rumanians take olive
branches and go from house TO house to compli-
nent the neighbors with their good wishes. which
not altogether disnterested. as they expect to
receive in return some little present On the sec
ond day Of the year every stranger entering house
is required 10 throw the fire small quantities OF
ealt which placed In cups on the table for that
purpose He must then go TO the henhouse and
place an egg in the nest for the hen 10 sit upon.
II the hen consents to perform her duty the guest
is considered fortunate person and is feteh in
that house until evening. This custom is called
"the lucky foot"
Like all other Eastern Christians. the Greeks ad-
here to the old Gregorian calendar. and their
year begins twelve days later than ours. January
is dedicated to ST. Basil. who appears to have
been native Of Casarea. IN Cappadocla. In Asia
Minor. and also IN Eprus, children go from house
10 house singing odes in honor Of the saint, which,
however, are generally extended 10 some
hnely turned compliments TO the occupants. wish
ing them "a good year and requesting largesse.
e. Basil is always represented in these songs az a
schooiboy. whose touch quickens inanimste objects
with life.
Inc months first day the years first day, the
The circumcision day Of Christ and likewise OF ST.
81 Basil see. is coming here. from Cappadocia
p"RdI hG On his hand he holds and carries pen and
with pen and inshorn doth he write and reads
Say Basil. say. whence contest thou. and whittier
q, ART thou vending
I from my home have now come forth. and to
~ school am going"
Sit down and eat, SIT down and drink sit down
tbs only letters that learn-of singing know
oh then Il you. your letters know. say us your
AND as he leaned upon his staff. to say his Alpha
although the stan was dry and dead, 1T put forth
Ana on the topmost branch Of all there perched
W. anu sang a partridge.
VINO water took up in her claws and oil upon her
g. feathers
sprinkle.
sUPERsTITIoUs BELIEFS
among the Bulearians the long connection OF the |
,'u'eafien with the Greek Church has naturally |
-, 70 the assimilation OF many OF its superstitious
ms and customs and their festivals show a |
u''ous fusion Of old heather rites with supersti-
"o's christian observances
,"e year opens during the feast OF the winter |
,ysuee called by the Bulgarians "Kulada." Like |
e haiowe'en Of Scotland. II is Il great time |
-ohs TIE girls. for all kinds of divinatory rites
or psruns then future spouses and every line |,
ia saAss, OF songs sung during this festive period |
fxue u the refrain Of Hey Kulada, moy Kulada." |
nosaS Jhil, OF demons at this season sup !,
marL,ttx DC especially alert and powerful against ,
or AZ ana the Bulgarians like the Inhabitants /
FYshea Minor curing the similar observance Of the |
ilor ~ consider II necessary 10 take every precau-
lef; II, Tsa a their malevoence; log OF wood is
o,s1..h every cart and water in every pitcher in /
fbe 70 prevent any demon taking possession OF |
ssyy 10 lift or draw
ean hlbanians are careful at this season not 10
after any my aftce ot wearing apparel out OF doors
mer, mnehiia;i and II by some oversight gar
n..A sho 40 je go left IL is washed before being
fy ~ ~ order 70 get rd OF any spell cost upon ii
~ ,he supernals
ma -, sInones play great part In the Christ
anu New Year ODservances OF the Albanian /
tle nrae on the eve OF 81. Basil. January !.
"-e - Kept burning all night. and the half
T1APPyNEWYFAR