The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1900-12-13
Nsw Ysar customs.


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4 was crucihed. and over this spot Is built
e little temple in his honor. The hill
upon which is reared this temple vas
named after Janus and called jamie
ulum-changed IN these later days to
Montorio. or Gold mountain. Janus
founded a city. and after his death he
became a god IN the popular fancy. To
him were dedicated temples for heathen
worship. He was the god Of the sea-
sous, and is generally represented with
two faces-the one dark and gloomy. as
an emblem Of the history OF past ages;
the other bright and smiling. as q sym
Dol Of a promising future Sometimes
! four faces are used, representing the
fopr seasons Of the year. In his hand
be holds as many rods as there are
months In the year, one Of which bears
his name January The temples
erected TO him had four doors and three
windows each. The doors represented
the seasons and the windows the three
months in each season. Pictures Of
Janus are frequently used In decorat-
ing New Year cards. stories and maga-
zines
AS Rome gave the name 10 the first
month in the calendar year. so Rome
also gave the custom Of making pres
ents on the first day Of the year
Htrenne, AZ they are called In Italian.
"A very innocent little pastime II was
In the beginning. but in these days OF
modern ideas II has expanded and IL
expanding until now the most valu-
able and elaborate gifts are used as an
exchange Of friendly sentiment
There was a goddess whose name was
Strena She was the patron Of youth.
health and strength. and the temple
wherein she resided was surrounded by
gardens containing plants possessing
hyglenIc and health-giving properties.
The yerbena was considered. above all
others, 10 possess the necessary attri-
butes for restoring and preserving
health, and therefore no Roman house
hold was without this plant in It's win
dow gardens. on its verandas and
wherever plants could be grown. So
greatly was Il valued that Il was given
as a prize at tournaments OF strength
10 the victor. who usually presented Il
10 his promised wife. Thus was inau-
guraied the custom OF giving gifts al
the New Year. The modest little
"strenna" OF yerbena was the source OF
q custom that has developed 10 such
proportions that no limit Is now put
upon the fancy or purse Of those who
wish to express their affection in this
way.
Flowers. fruit and confections fol-
lowed the verbena as time passed, and
these in turn gave place to gifts Of gold
apd silver and jewels Then followed
many abuses. for. once started. the tide
was not easily turned. Newly elected
conauls. IN order to gain the public Ia
vor, we're accustomed 70 ride through
the streets New Years day throwing
money to the people. Then the accuse
tion arose that men Of wealth we're
elected instead OF men Of worth. Poll
tical bribery seems as old a. the world.
There were quarrels and bitter denun-
Citations until Il became necessary 10
pass law forbiddlng the practice. An
other meretriclous habit derived from
the s,renna, and one which lasts to the
present day, was that Of superiors IN
3fice exactlng tithoa from their inferi-
,rs. II ls related that the Emperor Au-
Eustns used to disguise himself and 80
, about on New Years eve begging q
Htrenna from every one be met This
however. may have been simply a d.
version. as even kings experience en-
Out In their lofty positions.
Occaalonally to-day one viii see large
..horns on each side Of the principal en-
frances OF old castles and palaces In
Italy. These were placed there In old
IN times for each one passing 70 place
a present within. Appropriate presents
we're doves for young girls. cakes for
Did people and stuffed birds and ami
mails and medals With notices on them.
similar 10 modern Christmas cards. On
an old New Year medal recently found
we're the words IS. p. Q. R.--U. A. #. r.
-Optimo Principi" tthe senate and the
people OF Rome wish a happy year to
The good princel.
Before the days OF regular salaries
Tor school teachers It was the custom
Tor pupils on the FIRST day OF the year
10 present the master with q rod Of
sold of a size according to their means
and he IN turn gave them a kiss.
The Saxons kept the festival Of the
New Year with feasting and the pres
entation Of gifts 70 each other. The
gifts presented BY individuals were
suited to sex. rank, situation and cir
cumstances. An orange stuck with
cloves was common present. Gloves
were customary New Year gifts. They
we're formerly a more expensive article
than at present. and occasionally a sum
Of money was given instead. which was
called glove money When pins were
Invented and brought into use about
the beginning Of the 10th century they
were New Years gift very acceptable
10 ladies. and money given for the pur-
chase OF them was called "pln-monev."