Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-31

ORD CHESTERFIELD has de-
scribed New Year as The most
lying day of the year-a time when
IS the kiudest and warmest wishes
are exchanged without the least
meaning" One hardly expects to hear a
sen Iment of this kind emanating from such
a <ource of exquisite politeness. Still, one
If obliged to acknowledge that there is n
Eertain amount of truth in the statement,
but fortunately all-pOwerful fashion has
changed the social character of this day
and We hope has also raised the moral
standard. The old-time custom of New
Year calls was doubtless responsible for
the greater number of these Sapphtras and
Ananiases. The custom Of general calling
has now practically died out, but the beau
tfful spirit OF hospitality survives in no less
attractive forms and is found delightfully."-
expressed in merry weekend holiday parties
and jolly New Year eve spreads offered by
hostesses to friends whom they are genu-
ineiy glad 10 entertain on the advent Of the
New Year.
In connection with this holiday we are
also adopting many foreign ideas. From
the French we have borrowed the charming
custom Of giving presents 10 friends and
acquaintaaces. And II one is interested In
tracing this idea to its fountain head She
may read In old records that the new year
was celebrated in Japan and China by men
and women setting forth at dawn to make
visits and TO carry gifts The Romans, too,
spent the day IN a round of calls for the
purpose of making gifts and wishing each
other a happy New Year But the fashion
OF paying and receiving calls is not likely to
die out altogether so long as the chief mag
istrate at Washington welcomes on that day
all who wish TO pay their respects TO him.
This year another mnovatiou-the old
English wassail bowl-wlll be introduced To
merrymakers at out-of-town clubs and al
smart private New Year eve suppers. At
midnight every one will drink to the old
toast. a good health and a happy New
Year and many OF them" And in parties
where the true English spirit prevails the
company will join hands and dance around
the table singing the old Scotch refrain:
..Weel may we a he;
III may We never be.
Here's tse the king
And the guide companle''
PaJr,Vs3c- Americans will substitute the
name of 1.-The President for ''the king
To give flavor of originality to this toast
each guest will be provided with minute
boiler-the kind used for cooking eggs At
one end OF the glasses lettered in gold are
the figures 1905 and on the reverse end
1905. At the psychological moment the
toast is quaffed.
Every one who has read the ''Pickwick
Papers remembers the mighty bowl OF
wassail, sometimes smaller than the ordi-
nary wash house copper. in which the hot
apples were bubbling with rich look and
kissing sound Most of the old writer's
agree that wassail was composed of ale,
wine, spices and brandy. bat this recipe was
not always strictly adhered to. The old
world wassaIl is rather hard on the diges-
ton, and like Mark Twains nince pie
when eaten at midnight, might be found by
the uniRitiated to be very much loaded .
But here is a recipe tried and true which
its originator declares IS a tonic for the
stomach: One-tweifth ounce of mace one
third ounce of cloves, one-quarter ounce 81
cardamon. one-quarter ounce of cinnamon
one-twelfth ounce of nutmeg, one-third
ounce of ginger and nearly one-half ounce
water over the fire and allowed to simmer
half an hour or longer. To these ingredi.
ents are added four bottles of sherry and
one and one-half pounds OF loaf sugar, and
when raging hot pour in the yolks of twelve