Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-09
THE SCOTCH NEW YEAR.
Several Quaint Old Customs Strictly
Adhered To.
From the PhiladrInhia IIedrer

From the Philadelphia Ledger.
New Year is more enthusiastically OBJ
served by the canny Scot in his native land
than in any other country. II is a day
given up to fostering domestic harmony
and repeating the gospel OF peace on earth
and goodwill toward men. No other pc
Rod OF the year is so potent as this with
the Scot in healing the wounds OF friend
ship and in warming the hearts of his
countrymen toward his fellows. In the
homes OF the poorer classes the best OF
good cheer is spread. his dearest friends are
invited, and, whatever else may grace his
table, the plum pudding. surrounded with
mountain heather and the inevitable hag-
gis. are there. and, IL possible. a small keg
or real mountain dew is placed conspic-
uously in the center OF the table.
bunch of mistietoe is not far or and
/ no guests are permitted to leave their seats
untii the keg has been emptied OF its con-
tents-customs strongly savoring of pagan
ism. without doubt, and handed down from
neathen ancestors, who were nevertheless
In their own time and way, good men and
true.
To the American cook nothing Is more
inyst erious than a Scotch plum pudding
which all loyal Scotchmen insist on having
on New Year day. After the ingredients
have been given out too often when made
by novice. the pudding has come to the
table IN the form of a thick SOUP.
1t Is custom on New Year day among
many OF the country squires and wealthy
farmers In the north of Scotland to organ
lie hunting parties. On such outings the
plum pudding is included I'm the bill OF fare
instead, however. Of having the pudding
maze before starting out. it is customary to
take the ingredients along. mix them and
Doll in pot slung over log fire at the
camping ground
A custom which is generally observed by
the working classes is what is called first
footing" At all hours Of the early MORN
ing OF the first day of the new year an eff
fort is made to be first to call on their
friends at their homes. The one who is
lucky enough to be the first caller on his
friend is invited to partake of short bread
cake and nip o whisky. after the usual
handshape and a Draw New Year"
BY the time he has made all the calls he
can remember making the first day of the
year Is dawning and Scotty can be seen
SAILING majestically homeward. his inner
man niled with New Year Inequalities.
Ihose living in the country will walk many
miles to bid a Draw New Year to their
friends in the city 1t is no uncommon
thing to see family of five or six leave
walk three or four miles in snow storm
in order to first foot their relatives or
friends living in the city. Very often they
are disappointed in their surprise visits in
home.
On returning homeward, however. they
Will sometimes meet their friends WHOM
they intended first footing" and learn thai
The birth of the new year is announced
In the towns and cities by the striking OF
the local town hall clock on the hour of L.
and followed by the ringing of the church
bells. 1t Is soon after this that first foot
ing begins Long before the approac of
II O'Clock great crowds of people surround
the city hall and eagerly watch the big
hand of the clock it approach the last
hour of the old year. Every one in the big
crowd has a bottle of some description in
his possession. Immediately the big hand
of the clock marks the first stroke of II
every bottle is thrown simultaneously
against the walls of the hall. followed by a
tremendous crash. This is an ancient GUS
tom, but is now rapidly dying out II Is
still practiced, however. every New Year
eve against the old gray walls of the Iron
Church in Edinburgh, the capital.
In the Highlands the New Year Is ushered
In by the tolling of the auld kirk bell and
the playing of the bagppes. In clear,
frosty night to hear this much maligned
instrument played by thoroughbred High
lander among the hills and from distance
of, say. mile. the notes stripped of
their harshness and seem to be waited
across to you by the clear atmosphere in
one harmonious melody. 1t is really beau
tiful and inspiring.
New Year day Is observed general
holiday throughout the country. The
churches are open in the morning only. and
in the large cities the day would seem like
a Sunday were it moi for that disturbing
element. the saloon keeper. Scotty drinks
more on New Year day, and more drunken
ness is rampant throughout the domain
than any other festive day of the year