The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-01-01

New Year Day, The day of all days
when the old slate is rubbed off and a
clean new surface is presented upon
which to write resolutions for the year
on which the world enters today.
AS has been the custom for years
the day has been given over largely to
social duties. business has been cast
aside and the day has passed in jovial
conyiyiaIity. the exchange Of courtesies.
or rather calls between neighbor and
neighbor. friends and families, and
in the smart set the exchange
of cards that has largely to do with
canccling social obligations. The Gus
tom of today. however, Is but an echo
of the oId-time New Year Day as known
by the older citizens There is now
more Of that stiff formality than in days
Of yore. and fewer families appear to
keep open house as the years roll by.
It would appear that there has been
an effort today to revive the customs
in vogue in days gone by.
So-CaIled Revival.
The so-caHed revival of the old
fashioned New Year has induced the
older people to indulge il many stories
reminiscent of the day in the past
When any custom ceases to be agree
able to majority Of those concerned it
usually becomes obsolete" said one Of
these today. This is quite the case in
considering past and present observ-
ances of Ne-y Year Day
Nowadays Ie jour de Ian IS mainly
devoted to matinees. big dinners, theater
parties and dances in the evening by
society folk But I recall when the past
century was verging into its 70's ho>
Nrw Year Day was the day Of the whole
year. As a holiday 1t is, of necessity,
the same, but as a special day for visit
ing on the part of men and staying at
home 10 receive and welcome them on
the part Of women its vogue is thing
of the past
Then great were the preparations;
care and solicitude were expended in the
selecting of proper gowns to enhance the
loneliness of beautiful wearers, both in
the gaTtsh light OF day and the softer.
more becoming illumination OF night.
Greeting to Bellies.
Then was It not at all uncommon for
a belle to have greeted from morn until
midnight callers by the hundred; TO have
the homage and smiled and
bIushed at the compliments Of scores and
scores Of men. old and young, grave, gay
and reverend. For It was the correct and
proper observance OF the day that men
should call on every lady of their ac-
quaintance. Neither was it unusual to
call where there was not even bow
ing acquaintance. If only one member Of
the calling party could claim the prtvi-
lege of knowing one lady Of the house
hold ere 0taa'a't
Indeed. it. was, a Ys4arveIosrs turning
out Of the masculines in fun dress, de
rigueur, for that was the correct thing;
evening coat. vest, trousers, shining
shoes, Immaculate linen, tie. gloves. hat,
all faultless and becoming. as mems
evening dress usually Is Singly. IN
couples, in parties. on foot. and in car
riages. the streets held on New Year
Day only men hurrying to and fro, bent
on making their best bow and presenting
the compliments of the season to as
many ladies as possible. Fine and spirit
ed was the rivalry as to whose list was
the longest, whose privilege of calling
on the most popular belle. who could
boast of the more residences visited /
when midnight hour tolled-
Gay and Brilliant Rooms
"A digniied and stately darby recefv-
ed their cards at the door and ushered
the callers into gay and brilliant rooms,