The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-12-22

N seems pity that so few hnuSoS arc to
he ''open" m New Years nay. Tnfor.
tUnatelv two II tho six who announced
that they would receive Mrs Kirby and
Mrs F. r. Turner. have had Ga change
their plans Mrs Kirby on account Of the
delay in finishing her homo, Mrs Turner
in consequence NJ the much more serious
season NJ tho recent death Of her mother
Mrs Van Alstyne Mrs. william Christian
threw herself into the breach caused by
Mrs Kirby's change n plan, 50 thcrc re-
main Ave who will receive. Mrs James A.
Baker Mrs. II. F Ring, Mrs William
Christian, Mrs. Charles Miller and Mr.
Dawes Y. Sturgis At zach Of these houses
there will he quite q large party receiving
as has become the custom or late years.
Only Hve houses open In the big social
circle 10 which these people belong. |.
really think that Ia shame, for H. is the
one day ~ the year when men turn their
thoughts TO social visiting and It docs seem
as II there could he more houses to wei
come them. 1t is hardly worth their while
30 ''get themselves up" in such nice style
as they usually do so 90 forth for so few
visits to be made,
II 10 such pretty custom. too, that of
beginning the year by a pleasant greeting
90 your friends and that ought to be
kept MP more generally than It IS I sup.
pose we get II from the French settlers OF
America, for 1t Is the custom-in fact. II IL
almost obligatory with the people OF sunny
France 10 make calls on their friends on
or near New Years Day. Among tho
French crcolcs OF New Orleans this custom
is rigidly observed, aud it Is almost an I'M
pardonable ofenss to omit It, a call must
he made within the two first weeks Of the
year by both men and women in order to
retain friendships. We have, with typlcaI
independence. changed the plan to suit our
selves, and II has been for many years the
habit to throw open our houses 10 re-
ceive callers on the one day, and as the
women had to Scc that the house was prom
erly set forth. aud also to provide hos
ptable welcome for tho callers, the day
fen entirely into tho hands Of the mon.
And surely even the American mau may
have one day ont Of tho 365.
After the civil war the day was not oh
served for many years. the unsettled state
Of domestic service being against hospital
ity, hut il was taken mp again. hut with
difference The spirit Of concentration
shown in the trend of National government
and in business interests showed itself
here, and It has got TO he habit for
great many to Club together" and receive
~ one house In ncghborhood. or some
lady asks big crowd of others TO receive
with her. thus enabling the callers to kin
many birds with one stone. But | doubt
II II Is an Improvement / believe those
men enjoy throwing all those stones, end
ARE perfectly satisfied with fewer bids
brought down, II the pleasure OF throwing
is to be given them.
And what do they care for the elaborate
decorations that have been the vogue until
80 recently? Not an iota. There Is hardly
one In hundred that has any idea when
they leave house of the scheme II color
used therein and fewer stin that know an
American Beauty rose from an old fash
Toned Gold OF Ophir. SO IL is absolutely
time and money and trouble and worry
thrown away to decorate a house when
the callers expected arc men. few bright
faces, merry laugh, a hearty welcome
and tempting dsh-these are all that Is
necessary TO make pleasant home agree
able 10 the men who make New Years
calls. And do wish our people would
try this old time way OF making the day
one that is worth While. Ii is not yet too
late 20 announce che fact that you Will be
at home, Next Hlnaay mornings Post will
give YOU az he notice hat your friends
among The callers need. for that is where
III VIZ look end out he places where
fhe go call II will be very litt'T ex-
pense or trouble to get ready and viii be
q ~ CD srl way In which TO begin the
or
qly christmas keeping we take from
English and the Germans. 1t Is a more
ae ., sacred keeping than that OF the
l'gn which the volatile French
a.lfLt 10 u.s. The two are distinctly typI-
Of the Gothic and Latin races--the one
religious. the other gay and llfe.loving. But
we Americans take from all alike, and ad.
justing them 10 our own ideas, make them
contribute 10 our comfort or pleasure.
Wen, thar Is what We are here for to
make our own nation, our own customs Aah
orr own isthmlsn canals. our own wars
and. above all. orr own individuality. Let |
Us make the best Of what we have had be |
aDsstbsd to Us, but we have enough now |