Gilpin observer., 1904-12-29
New Years
Customs in
Many Lands
Is I~Ny-s~Ny~~~Nr.e~t

| Wullo IueTe Is growing ulSpOSl-
tion to allow the celebration of New
Years day to fall into disuse. it still
retains its rank as the most ancient
festival of the world. Even before the
Christian era it's was observed as a
day sacred to the god Janus. The old
Romans made it a public holiday and
exchanged presents of gilded fruit,
while the Greeks inducted their new
ly elected magistrates into office. The
Druids, too. held the first day Of the
new year in particular honor and ven
Grafton. and the survival of many Of
their pagan rites and superstitions is
still to be found in Wales. Brittany
and the southwestern portions of Eng
land.
Varied as were the ways in which
the festival was kept. in this all ma
tions were agreed-that time Of new
life had come, that old quarrels must
be forgotten, old debts cancelled. and
everything possible done to create a
feeling of good will toward men,"
Nowhere else, unless it be in Ger
many, is there such variety of cakes
and pastry as may be found in a
Scotch bake shop. Besides the Scotch
caraway cakes and the Christmas
squares there is shortbread known
as Pitcaithy bannocks, which are
highly ornamented with sugar and
notices. such as "A Happy New
Year" or "a Merry Auld Yule." Then
there are the rye loaves, popular in
the Thrums district, black and rich
nd I'd xxyith frr,it a
Scotch buns. composed entirely Of
eggs. chopped fruit and peel. incased
in crust which is not to be eaten.
In Scotland as well the old custom
prevails of consulting the Bible on
New Years morning to see what fate
has in store for the coming year. The
sacred book must be laid on the table
and the one consulting it must open
it at random and place finger on the
chapter to which the book opens.
This is then read and accepted as the
ultimatum.
In France it is the most important
day Of the year in the way OF friendly
meetings and appointments and social
and family reunions. The typical
Frenchman on this day always dimes
at home with his parents. IL he has
any, and no outside attraction is suf-
| ficient to lure him away from the per-
formance of this filial duty.
New Years customs in Russia are
specially interesting. In the morning
the princes OF the imperial family,
court functionaries and servants Of
the palace come in regular ordor to
present their homage to the emperor,
who kisses all the members of his
| family and the highest of the officials
three times. according to Russian
fashion. In the streets the people
/ kiss each other, whether acquainted
or not. This ceremony was suppressed
for time. but was re-established a
\ few years ago under the reign OF AL.
exander II. In the provinces the hand
soonest horse in the village is gayly
decorated with evergreens and ber.
rjes, and directly after breakfast is
conducted to the house OF the noble
man. followed by all the boys OF the
village, who have been up since day.
break fusillading friends and foes with
wheat and dried peas. The motley
procession is met at the door by the
master. who admits It. horse and all,
to the parlor. where all the family are
assembled.
Next comes a procession Of real
animals-the OK, cow, goat and hog
also garlanded with green's and Der.
ries and led by the children. These
less favored animals are not invited
in, but slowly file In front Of the
house, that the family may view the
parade from the windows. At the
heels Of this cavalcade come the old
women of the community. bearing a
futtering contingent of barnyard
fowls. also tricked out in greens,
which they bestow az presents to the
master.