The Washington times., 1902-12-31
Celebration of the Begin
ming of the New Year
As Seen In Ancient and
Modern Times.

At u O'Clock tonight citizens Of
Washington who seek downy couchcs be-
fore that hour will be in danger of
having their dreams disturbed by horn
blasts. whistle footing, and discharge Of
pistols by other and more enthusiastic
OF their towuspcople who insist upon
drastic means OF ushering in the new
year. Tomorrow will be New Year Day.
and promises 70 be as quiet as becomes
80 aged a day, but developments may be
expected az midnight 20 mark the death
or old Nineteen Hundred and Two. an
opportunity which old and young Ameri-
ca never fails TO take advantage OF
under cover OF night On tho Fourth
of July a diliEeut police service Is care
ful not 20 have more than The ordinary
number and character Of pyrotechnjc
manifestations. but anybody who is so
disposed may perch himself in his top
story window and fire away 20 his hearts
content Anything so alluring as 500
days-days redolent with the pOssibili-
ties OF many undoubtedly de-
serves welcome. and TO the best OF his
ability the true American citizen Will
offer it. In some cases the welcome
Of firearms may not be the citizens
favorite mode Of celebrating. but when
offered from top-story window it is.
a. least the safest
The chief event OF importance New
Year Day Is the old custom OF paying
calls. While this is continued, to some
extent. it is by no means as popular
a In years past. The reception by the
President and his wife at the White
House is a time honored custom, which
will probably live on for many years
20 come II is the first, and in many
instances, the only opportunity the pub
Iic-at-Iarge has 90 greet the Chief Ex-
ecutive and his wife and hundreds OF
people stand in line for hours that they
may take advantage Of the privilege.
Customs of Today.
Time was when the day was antici-
psted for weeks by mai6 and matron
not conspicuous IN so-called social cir
cles. for fl afforded both 1me to
OF their assistants. II was a matter Of
pride TO the younger girls toabe able
10 show a greater number OF cards the
next day than could be displayed by
her friends. That day IS past
however. for Washington society hes
become so cosmopolitan that many are
received within It's limits who would
have no claim 10 social recognition in
other places. For the rest. the New
Year reception has no charms The
American girl is far too busy swing a
good account Of herself these days to
idle away her time in dreams OF q
thing which counts for nothing 20 her
self or 10 anybody else. and the GUS
tom Is fast dying out With % will 20
q feature of life among the early Dutch
settlers OF New York with whom The
New Year call was original In those
days January / was set aside as the
one day in the year given exclusively
70 the men 70 make calls upon their
women friends. and the latter we're cx-
pected to remain at home and do the
duty Of hostesses TO an Of them. That
Is the only known custom peculiar 10
the Dutch which has been known 10
survive
An English Ceremony.
England is. however. responsible for
q quaint. interesting. and existing ccre-
mony. so TO speak-watching cut the
old year and welcoming in the new
Americans have added their own ideas
ia. this regard to the original one OF
1he Britons and various 1orms Of ssy-
ing "good-by" % the old year are OBJ
served here. Dances, parties OF ai
kinds and watch meetings" are held
that the dying years last moments may
not be lonely ones. Whe0 the nou- c'
midnight comes America asserts itsoll
first with audible evidences OF its jov
followed By secret resolutions for The
new year which might have been mad,
with impunity on any other day iu 10,
year
While in almost every country in th'
world New Year is celebrated Gus.
toms differ as well ass time Man,
nationa do not regard January 7 "a.
tho FIRST day OF the year. and O.,
observe Il on the day which CORE.
spends 10 that date with Americans anl
other enlightened countries. To 'hr
French fl is the great social event or th,
year. and all society meets on common
basis j. Is not an unusual thing TO fe,
Representatives or totally different ranl
and social standing greeting each othcl
IN tho most ELUSIVE aad familiar way
extending the greetings OF the new sea.
son and recognizing each other as equals
SuPerstitious Features.
There arc many supcrstitious features
or tha feast throughout England one o.
which Is that I'm order TO insure gooc
luck 10 a household. the first person G,
enter on the New Year must be a man
when the master OF the house enters foi
the first time he must bring IN some
thing which he did not take out.
Chances for good fortune in IRELAND
according 70 an old superstition. ar,
fewer than in most countries for thor,
tho f-st person who cones into onet
home must be possessed Of virtue an,
Innocence. whether It be man. woman. o.
child
The Persiaus observe the day b