The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1908-12-31

the new year was ushered in by
friendly gifts. The Mexicans, ac-
cording to Humboldt, on the first
day of the year carefully adorned
their temples and houses, and en-
ployed themselves in various religi-
Gus ceremonies, one of these consist
ing in Offering up to the gods a hu-
man sacrifice Among the Jews New
Years Day was, and is still, observed
with prayers, the distribution of aims
among the poor and other acts of
charity. On that day all hatred
should be blotted out of the heart, all
offences forgiven and restitution
made to whomsoever any injury was
done. Enemies get reconciled, all
wishing each other. May you be
written down for a happy New
Year" to which 1t is replied, And
you, likewise!" This wish or prayer
arises from the fact that the Jews
believe that the feast of the New
Year is the annual day of judgment
on which the deeds of man are
weighed, and the destinies of every
individual and every nation are fixed
for the ensuing year. Hence the
name of Day of Judment given to this
day.
1t is a remarkable fact that all the
ancient astronomers of the different
nations have given the figure of an
aged man Of stern aspect, holding a
pair of scales in his right and an
open book in his left hand, as the
sign OF the zodiac of this month.
thus expressing the religious idea
Of this festival. The Hindoos call
the first day of the year Prajapatya
(the day of the Lord of Creation),
and celebrate it with illumination
and great rejoicing.
Among the Chinese the celebration
of the beginning of the new year
sometimes lasts for fortnight. On
this occasion all classes, including
the Emperor, mingle together in free
and unrestrained intercourse; visits
are exchanged. cards and presents
sent, and people meeting in the street
salute each other by crying, "Kung-
hi! Kung-hi!" CI humbly wish you
joy") or "Sin-hi! Sin-hi!" ("May
JOY be yours" In Japan there is
a holiday during the entire week of
the New Years Day, which is now
January 1. The Japanese Of the old
school avoid pronouncing on this day
the syllable "shi," the root of the
word of death. This would be a bad
omen, and as this syllable enters in
to an infinite number of words the
avoidance involves, of course, inter-
minable periphrases. Interiors bring
little presents to their superiors, con-
sisting chiefly of oranges and eggs,
while the masters respond to their
presents by pecuniary generosity.
Everywhere, indoors and outdoors,
reigns an air of festivity and good
humor. In meeting they bow, plac-
ing their hands on their knees, and
exchange the consecrated word
"Omedetto." In Japan as well as
In China it Is also the universal rule
that all debts must be paid and ac-
counts settled with the ending of the
old year AS to the European coun-
N''~St bASiS ilOhS III Which new
Years Day is not socially observed.
1t is in France and the Latin coun.
tries what Christmas is in England
and America, the day for giving and
receiving presents. In some coun-
tries, especially in Scotland and Ger
many, the new year is ushered in at
midnight of December 81 amid all
kinds of merrymaking-tou CONNIE
chez nous. In closing we avail our
selves Of the opportunity to wish our
readers a happy New Year in some
OF the Babel languages spoken in our
great country: Prosit Neujahr!
(German) Glaedligt Nytaar! (Nor-
wegian) Gelukkig Nieuwjaar! (Hol-
land); Nuae Bhliagham Hona Ahuit!
(Irish); Heureuse Anee (French);
Feliz Ano Neuvo! (Spanish): Felice
Ammo Nuovo! Dtalian); Sas Elk
home Polla To Mao Etos! Modern
Greek) Boldog Uyevet iivanuek!
(Hungarian) Szczesliwy Nowy Rok!
(Polish); Stachaslivoui Novoui God!
(Russian) Omedetto (Japanose);
Kung-hi! (Chinese); Lelabik Mulik
Vel! (Volapuk); Godt Nytar! (Swed-
ish), etc.