Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1907-01-01

and is thus endowed with healing power
and many true Christians come here at
night to wash themselves and thus get rid
of past sins.
Ring Out The Old. q.
The idea OF casting on the old and be-
ginning fresh. with the new seems we'll
nigh universal. and almost every country
has some ceremony which expresses g.
For instance. some Of the provincial towns
Of Germany continue ancient customs OF
destroying everything visible Of past sor-
row. disappointment or failure. A great
bonfire Is built IN the market-place and
the people flock to Il with an those things
they wish TO cast behind them. Letters
and love tokens Of the delinquent wooer or
the tickle maid, bits Of ribbon and keep
sakes. the bottles OF the topper, pipes
that have been superseded by cigars,
are heaped in the pile TO be destroyed.
A little before midnight the fire is
started and the young men Of the VIII
llage dance around It. AS the fire melts
away the crowds disperse and the cry
Health 10 the New Year," resounds
from every every quarter. In Wales
also. fires are burned TO purify the
houses for the entrance OF the New
Year and the arches kept sacredly from
season to season. The belief In the
purifying power OF flame is unspeak-
ably old, and that these customs still
exist show how far from shattered are
the chains Of tradition.
Ringing OF bells to ring out the old
land ring in the new and religious SER
Vices as the old dies and new is born
are common 10 England. Scotland and
lAmerica. In some sections Of Eng
land, Scotland and America. In some
lseotions of England the house door Is
opened with great formality TO let out
the old and let in the new.
The mummers Of guisers play an
important part In Scotland. All the
Village boys who can sing learn spec
Llial songs for the occasion. and on the
1limportant night. disguised In grotcsque
costumes, go from door to door singing
their songs. Each guiser is accom-
lpanied by a squire dressed as a girl,
= who goes before him 10 open tho door.
> while the song is IN progress she
} lsweeps the floor with a broomstick or
/ plays some comical prank, and in re-
turn they receive small pieces OF
| money
In Far Japan.
, In Japan IL is the day Of days, Of
, much rushing about and much cere-
mony. Flags are hung at every door
, and gate. streets are Illuminated and
bands OF musicians are scattered over
3 town and village The New Year cal
is an important part OF the japanese
celebration. and it is a breach Of ETH
duette TO omit IT, The sending OF
post cards in countless number is q
unique feature. and such quantities arr
shipped to every quarter OF the EN-
pire that the distributing capacity o
the postal service is always swamped
To alleviate the annual chaos the Gov
eminent always requests that cards b.
sent as soon as possible after Deem
d Der 20
n The Chinese celebrate their New
: Year by brilliantly decking thei
y houses with lanterns, bunting, flag
Il and banners, and usher in the day wit
+ the beating Of drums and a display q
d fireworks. The people worship in thei
a Joss houses, shake hands with them
selves and look solemnly at on
T. another uttering Gong he fat for,
. which Is very likely Happy Ne'
: Year" II is a universal custom a
: this season for the Chinaman VIII
wishes TO retain the respect Of hi
neighbors to settle up his accounts
pay his debts and start fresh.
French Ceremonies.
= It IS in France. however that Me-
e Years Day receives the greatest HON
age. lie jour de Tan" (the mornin
e of the year, is the chief festival Par
d is en- fete: al France IS gay. II IS IN
g day Of giving godparents give to III
j. children. .mistresses 10 their servant
h gentlemen to the ladies. Traces OF III
d saturnalia Of Pagan Rome when III
d bondsman for "a hours was . good