Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-31
OLD new YEAR DAY
How Washington Celebrated
in Times Gone BY.
WASHINGTON STARTED IDEA
Reception Given in New York
Brought to Capital.
PRESIDENTS KEEP PRECEDENT
Refreshments Once Served-Every-
body Welcomed-Dearth of Mill
tary-Marine Band Utilized.
PRESIDENTS KEEP PRECEDENT

tary-Marine Band Utilized.
By James Croggon.
The celebration of the advent of the
Ne" Year. tie old Roman and religious
| monday, observed to greater or less
extent throughout the civilized world
since the infancy of Washington, has
been one of the days whose observance
is becoming more and more popular.
here 1T is given a national as we'll as
local character. In the larger cities and
state capitals it is celebrated in much
the same manner.
Whether its observance, brought from
Europe by the Dutch settlers in New York
and the Huguenots of France in the
Carolinas, was based on the supersti-
ton that the admission of a female to a
home New Year morning brings i'll luck
to the house is not known. Certain 1t is
that this belief is yet held by many, not
withstanding the increased enlighten-
ment Of the people. If we believe the
traditions of century ago it was the
common belief of the masses. That this
idea is adhered to to some extent is seen
now living have had doors shut in their
races and in rural districts many have
been warned off by dogs and guns from
usually hospitable farmhouses.
olden Watch Night,
From the time of the foundation of
the government the first day of the year,
and. in fact, the eve of that day had
been equally as fully observed and in a
manner approximating the character of
the Christmas observance. Here in
Washington the principal feature of New
Year day is the reception at the White
House by the President and ladies of his
family.
But especially by the young was the
watch night a feature of the olden
times. At the New Year eve balls and
the new year danced in, while some fam
lilies were gathered about the fireside UNI
til the death of the old year was pealed
out and the hubbub outside. made by the
shooting of pistols and crackers, blowing
of horns, beating of drums, ETC., an
nounced the birth of the new year.
In the Methodist churches. white and
cOlored, solemn services were held, the
congregations assembling usually at 8 or
30 O'Clock and enjoyed sermon and ex-
night approached, on Bonded knees. all
sang the covenant hymn After prayer
they were dismissed.
Large was the attendance at these
services. Long were the hours in the
colored churches, for the law required all
colored people. free and slave. to be in
doors from 10 pm. till 4 am. Hence
the services therein were at least six
hours long.
The morn of New Year was usually
spent by the young after the manner OF
the Christmas observance.
II weather permitted some secular work
was done. Many stores were open dur
ing the morning hours. etc.
Prior to the fOrties even the govern
ment departments were open. 1t need not
be said there was little departmental
work done other than that demanded i'm
relatively. 1t was expected that at noon
every government officer or clerk should
attend the levees at the White House and
also call on the ladies of the heads or
their respective departments.
This. too. was the day when presents
were EXCHANGED: In some families still
are preserved the four-bladed penknife
and silver pencil which were then the
popular gifts.
Aside from the Presidents levee. the
heads of departments and bureau chiefs
held open house. The mayor Of the city,
officers Of the military and fire compa-
MES and. in fact. the heads of almost
every association or corporation did like
wise.
Hotels and taverns were scenes Of con-
private families received and entertained
It is not therefore strange that for that
day many were merry from the seduc-
tive glass.
Washington Began It.
The receptions of the President were
introduced by Washington. Doubtless the
first President held them not on account
of any superstition, but because he al
ready found it to be a we'll kept holiday
at the seat of government, then in New
York.
The first observances held in that city
were the receptions of the prominent Off
Gals during the day. Mrs. Washington
held the levee at night.
In Philadelphia, however, the preSiden-
tial levees of Gen. Washington and lady
were attended by both sexes. They were
very brilliant functions At these levees
the guests, after paying their respects to
the host and hostess, were seated and
served ~ith refreshments, tea, coffee.
plain and plum cake.
The custom was to exchange few
words. after bowling to each other. There
was little Misunderstanding. At the close the
cordial and cheerful observance of New
Year day would never b" forgotten
The receptions of John Adams IN Phla-
delphia were repetitions of those of
Adams in Washington he found the
White House unfinished and the grounds
thereabout ungraded. He held but one
public reception during the year, the
first OF January, when the doors were
open to all who chose to call
This reception was held on the second
story i'm the oval room. The house was
entered by the south door, >nen the
principal entrance till after MadisOn's
day.
Mr.. jefferson. entering the White
House, came as Il widOwer His two
daughters, aided by Mrs. Madison, wife
of the then Secretary of State. did the
honors.
Callers were received i'm the most demo-
cratic manner. The company, after paw
ing respects 10 the ladies and the PreSi-
dent, promenaded the east room and par
took of refreshments. At his Fourth
of July reception the Marine Corps pa
raded in sfront of the house.
When Mr. Madison and his wife en-
tered the White House 1t was fOreseen
that the mansion would be the center of
great and brilliant assemblages. At the
levees and other functions the cere-
monia,s and formal etiquette oi preced-
ing administrations was relegated.
Mrs. Gales Account. =