New-York tribune., 1901-12-29
THERE SEEMS TO BE A DIS
POSITION HERE TO LESSEN
ITS OLD TINE GLORY

the of 1850. that eliminated IN the over
throw of Hapsburg rule in Northern Italy and
in the addition of Savoy TO France. Emperor
William. too. has frequently selected the New
Years reception for sensational speeches. whiie
King Leopold of Belgium has been known to
take advantage of these receptions to censure
publicly Cabinet ministers who have incurred
his i'll will
In France the President after receiving all
the great dignitaries of the republic. pays two
return visits the same day in state. one
the President of the Senate and the other to
the President of the Chamber of Deputies. in
order to emphasize the fact that the national
sovereignty belongs to the people. and that he
holds the position of Chief Magistrate by the
will of the latter voiced by the legislature. In
France the day is OF popular holiday
than perhaps anywhere else in Europe 1t is
observed kind of universal birthday-ths
birthday not alone of Adam but likewise of
every one of his descendants general inter-
change OF presents takes place and New Years
Day is looked forward to throughout the year
by children as the date which they receive
all their finest toys. and by servants as the
date on which they receive their most liberal
gratuities- Indeed. the latter have become as
heavy tax upon the head of the household
Christmas presents are here For he Is ex-
pected to make handsome gift of money not
Only to all the members of his establishment.
but also the postman. the policeman on his
beat. and to every tradesmans employee who
has attended to the requirements of his house,
hold during the preceding twelve months On
the shopkeepers. too. the observance of the day
falls somewhat heavily For they are obliged.
If they wish to retain the custom Of the houses
which they serve. to send presents TO the cook.
the butler. the coachman. the valet and tha
ledy's maid
IF Praz ,hav all
the rulers of Continental Europe open the new
year with divine service. and in certain parts
or scandinavia, Germany and England the
opening OF the Bible on the morning of New
Years Day is regarded as an imperative duty
by God-tearins families. The Holy Book is sol-
enlnly opened before breakfast by each mem
ber of the family in succession. Whatever the
chapter so disclosed. the finger is Immediately
pointed thereat and the text read aloud with
closest interest it being believed that the future
for the ensuing twelve months of the person
before whom the Bible is at the time will bs
outlined by that text.
word more in conclusion. which relates net
so much 10 New Years Day as TO Christmas
wonder how many Of my readers are awars
OF the reason why the right leg of the image OF
the infant Saviour is invariably left bare in
the creche. or representation of the Nativity
which is on view at Christmas and New Year
in every Roman Catholic church throughout
the world. The most famous of these images
of the Saviour and the which has the
largest number Of miracles to its credit is that
Of the Church of the Araceoh. at Rome the
paint with which it is adorned being aseribed
TO the brush OF less an artist than tina
, evangelist ST. Luke Once it was stolen. But
/ in the dead OF night the monks of the Araceoii
| Convent were aroused by violent knocking
! at their ponderous door. They crowded to the
IN
"Santo Bambino' Sacred Child standing on
| the steps and knocking against the oak panels
| with one Of his tiny feet, which he had sue
| ceeded in disengaging from his swaddliny
! clothes 1t is from that time. runs the tale
/ at Rome. that the custom dates Of leaving
| bare the right leg of the Bambino.
EX-ATTACHE.