The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-01
DAWN OF THE new CYCLE
The Old World Celebrations of the
Passing of 1900.
No Especial Ceremonies in London
Sermons of PeSSiraism and OPP
timism From the PuIpit-ObscrN-
ances at Paris and Rome-Thc Aus
trnIinn Federation COmmemOratcd

l.
century in London was quite unsensation-
al and with the exception OF the special
turn given the services in the churches
and chapels the end did not differ notice
ably from the last day of any year. The
crowd which ordinarily gathers on New
Years Eve outside st. Pauls Cathedral
was perhaps larger than usual, but nobody
seemed to have regarded the occasion in
any way as solemn. Singing. bawlfng.
cheering, horseplay. and whisky tippling
occupied the unorganized mob until St
Paul's clock struck midnight, when, after
, a big struggling cheer, the groups broke
into ftful singing of "Auld Lang Syne,
after which they separated noisily.
The bulk of the crowd was made up OF
shouting youths. roughs. and policemen.
but there were a considerable number Of
respectable persons present. vainly hoping
there would be some organized recognition
of the unique event of their lives. These
went home disappointed, feeling that the
opportunity had been wasted.
There was a special service at st. Paul S
at Z O'Clock in the evening, experience
having shown the hopelessneSs of trying
TO exclude the riotous. debauched element
from the midnight service. Those who at
tended the evening service will probably
I recall it as one of the most solemn occa-
sions OF their lives. The vast congrega
tion followed the service with the most
reyerent attention and Joined heartily in
the familiar hymns.
The Rev. Arthur Mason. canon of Can
terbury preached an appropriate sermon.
His tone was hopeful. He rejoiced in the
general Improvement of humanity as COM
pared with the conditions prevailing at
the beginning of the century, with the ex-
ception of gambling and sexual immoral
ity, which, he said, we're increasing un-
hlushingly.
The service at Westminster Abbey was
less well attended. Canon Gore preached
a pessimistic sermon. He said the century
WAS closing amid widespread sense of dis
appointment and anxiety on the part Of
those who cared most for the truth and
Righteousness.
The great movements of the century,
from which man had hoped so much. had
resulted in disillusion. Social and religious
progress had been small. The dominant
cry in Great Britain was for empire, which
doubtless might be made to cover a noble
spirit Of patriotism, but now only served
to exa1t the worship of our unregenerate
British selves" He prG'essed to place his
hope in Christianity, but he considered that
neither the national church, the Catholics.
nor non-c -conformists had succeeded in pen
etrating the stoIic + difference.
Services were general in London and
the provinces.
PARIS, Jan. 1.-The new century was
not accorded any special solemn welcome
here The weather WIS damp, and the
outdoor rejoicing, fathered by the munich
pal council. did not differ from the usual
celebration. The Hotel De Vile was illu-
minated. and the band of the municipal
guard played outside Inside the council
ors drank toasts to each other and the
new era.
At midnight mass was celebrated in the
BasiIica of the Sacred Heart at Mont
maitre, while the great bell solemnly sa-
luted the new century. There we're masses
in many other churches. hundred thou
sand francs win be distributed among the
poor today by the municipality.
ROME, Jan. 1.-The year-end fetes were
little different from those OF previous
years. The principal popular features OF
New Years eve here is a dinner, the di-
mensions of which are frequently incom-
patible with health. The sacred services
however, bore added solemnity. Most OF
the churches were open until midnight,
when their bells and those of the capital
unitedly welcomed the new century.
The most imposing and most interest
ing religious ceremony was held in the
ancient catacombs of Domitilla. The func-
tion was splendid in the extreme. The
subterranean basicila was beautifully dec
GRATED in honor of the dead. The services
were impressively grand A midnight mass
at st. Peters was largely attended. The
Pope celebrated mass privately in his own
chapel. A salvo OF 101 guns from Castle
San Angelo ushered in the new century.
SYDNEY, n. S. W. Jan. Ito the
psepIe of Australia the dawn OF the lew
centuryis chiefly noteworthy as witness
ing the birth of their long-eNpected fed
Grafton. This city is full of visitors for
today's Inauguration fete. The houses and
public buildings are decorated and there
is much enthusiasm. Prime Minister Bar
ton will preside today at the first meeting
of the Federal Cabinet, one of whose first
subjects of discussion VIII probably be
the home Governments request for more
! mounted troops for service in South
Africa.
The great feature Of the day. however
| will be great fye-mile procession from
the Government House to Centennial
Park, where the Earl of Hopetoun will be
sworn in as Governor General of the new
commonwealth. 1t is estimated that half
million persons will be able to witness
the ceremony and Join in the singing OF
the Tooth psalm to the accompaniment OF
the massed bands The festivities will be
/ prolonged for a week, during which bus-
ness will be virtually stopped.
OFFICE DESK SENT BY MAIL.