The Raymer enterprise., 1914-12-24
4 | ID J
Isal,I IT.
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Hlp} GQ]tor way In which to speed the old
k1ysseSs year and welcome the new.
Perhaps we might prohtably follow
ther example, Certainly their way OF waiting for
the new year at home or at the home OF their
friends with games and songs and domestic cheer.
was less expensive than our way. Also ii Is
matter for regret that the pleasant customs OF
paying New Years calls and of giving New Years
presents has disappeared All the ritual of the day
is gone; even the newsboy brings only prosaie
calendar nowadays instead of the elaborate poetic
address which in years gone by set forth his
claims on the worlds generosity. And New Years
resolutions exist chiefly in the Imagination of hu.
morous writer's
Now. IL is true that the apparently harmless
customs OF paying calls and giving presents on
Now Years day we're not regarded with favor By
all critics of morals and manners. Early in the
eighteenth century Henry Bourne. NJ. A.. "eurate Of
the parochial chapel OF All Saints. in Newcastle
upon Tyne" wrote Antiquities vulgares, or
the antiquities OF the common people. giving an
account Of their opinions and ceremonies. with
proper reflections upon each of them; shelving
which may be retained and which ought to be
laid aside. And he felt that he must be very
careful indeed with his discussion of New Years
calls and gifts. lie approved OF them. In modera
ton; but he wanted to be on the safe side
AS the vulgar are always very careful TO end
the old year weli.' he wrote. tpointing his satire
by means OF italics) so they are also careful of
beginning well the new one. As they end the
former with a hearty oompotatlon, so they be.
Gin the latter with the sending Of presents, which
are termed New Years gifts to their friends and
acquaintances: the original OF both which Gus
toms is supersttious and sinful: and was observed
thar the succeeding year might be prosperous
and successful"
lie calls many writers TO witness the antiquity
III these customs quoting from Bishop Stillingfeet.
Claus Wormius. Scheifer. "Snorro Sturleson," and
the poet Naogeorgus' Then he writes; And no
doubt those Christians were highly worthy OF
censure who imagined as the heathens did that
the sending of a present then was In any way
lucky. aud an omen of the success Of the following
year For this was the very thing that made sew
erai holy men and some general councils, take
notice Of and forbid any such custom, because the
observance Of IT, out OF any such design and view,
was superstitious and sinful are told In
place OF st Austin the observation Of the calends
Of January is forbid. the songs which were wont
to be sung on that day. the feastings. and the
presents which were then sent as a token and
omen Of a good year But to send a present at
that time out OF esteem, or gratitude. charity,
~ no where forbid
ON the contrary. Il Is praseworthy. For the
ancient fathers did yehemently nyeigh against the
observations of the calends of January; yet II
WAS not because OF those presents and tokens OF
mutual affection and love that passed but because
the day itself Hls dedicated to idols, and because
of some prophane rites and ceremonies they OBJ.
served 10 solemRizing IT,
III then | send New Years gift TO my friend,
Il shall be token OF my friendship; II to my bene.
factor a token OF my gratitude II to the poor
(which at this time must Ecyer be forgot) II shall
he TO make their hearts sing for JOY. and give
praise and alteration to the gver OF all good gifts.
Al any rate, we still say Happy New Year!'
whether or not the words have any special sig
nihcanoe to us In the time OF the learned Bourne
there were those who regarded this phrase with
deep suspicion tie writes; Another old custom
at this time Is the wishing OF good New Year
either when a New Years gift is presented or
when friends meet Now the original OF this
custom is heathenish as appears by the feasting
and presents before mentioned. which we're wish
for good year, and II was customary among the
heathens on the calends Of January. to go about
and sing New Years song Hospinian, there
fore tells thai when night comes on, not only the
young but also the old Of both sexes. run about
here and there. and sing song at the doors OF
the wealthier people in which they wish them
happy New Year This he speaks indeed OF the
Christians. but he calls it an exact copy Of the
beathen's custom.
"But, however cannot see the harm CT retain.
ing this ancient ceremony. so II be not used super
stitiously. nor attended with obscenity and lewd
ness. For then there will be no more harm than
wishing a good each others welfare and prosper
n,r than rfQhinu pood dav
pood night; than In bidding one godspeed"
In Philadelphia there has been preserved up
10 recent years the custom Of New Years mum
ming Boys and grls-men and women also. to
some extent-dressed In fantastic clothes and with
mar faces painted or masked. could be seen In
the streets. up to recently, begging and playing
srsctcal Jokes. They did similar things in eight
p..,,h century London, by no means to the approv
= ~ The curate Of the parochlal chapel Of All
o.,U,s IN NewcastIe-on-Tyne He writes; There