The state herald., 1914-12-25

IfT&@iN> can find. 1t seems more satisfac'
INN SQl tory way in which to speed the old
UySSs year and welcome the new.
Perhaps we might profitably follow
their 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 1t is a
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: the newsboy brings only a prosaic
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, 1t is true that the apparently harmless
customs of paying calls and giving presents on
New Years day were not regarded with favor by
all critics Of morals and manners. Early In the
eighteenth century Henry Bourne, NJ A., "curate Of
the parochial chapel Of All Saints, in Newcastle
upon Tyne" wrote Antiquities vugares 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 He approved OF them in modera.
ton; but he wanted to be on the safe side
"As the vulgar always very careful to end
the old year well' he wrote. (pointing his satire
by means OF italcs,) so they are also careful OF
beginning well the new one As they end the
former with hearty compotation. they be-
gin the latter with the sending OF presents which
termed New Years gifts to their friends and
acquaintance; the original OF both which Gus
toms is superstitio1s and sinful: and observed
that the succeeding rear might be prosperous
and successful
He calls naay writer. to witness the antiquity
Of these customs quoting from Bishop Stilllngneet,
Claus Worrnius. Sche-e-. -Snorro Sturieson." and
"the poet Saogeorgus." Then he writes: And no
doubt. those Christians we're highly worthy OF
censure, who imagined as the heathens did that
the sending OF present then vas In any way
lucky and an omen OF the success Of the following
year. For this was the very thing that made sew.
eral holy men. and some general councils, take
notice Of and forbid any such custom; because the
observance OF Il. out Of any such design and view,
was superstitlous and sinful, We are told In
place OF ST. Austin the observation OF the calends
Of January is forbid the songs which we're won,
TO be sung on that day. the feastings. and the
presents which were then sent as token and
omen OF a good year. But TO send present at
that time. out OF esteem, or gratitude. or charity.
is no where forbid
"on the contrary. It Ia praiseworthy For the
ancient fathers did yehemently inveigh 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 was dedicated TO idols. and because
Of some prophane rites and ceremonies they oh
served In solemnizing II.
IF then | send New Years Gift 20 my friend
Il shall be n token OF my friendship. II TO my bene
fnctor a token OF my gratitude; II TO the poor
(which at this time must never be forgop Il shall
be TO make their hearts sing for Joy, and give
praise and alteration 10 tho Tiyer OF all good gifts
Al any rate We still say Happy New Year"
whether or not the words have any special sir
nifcance TO US In the time Of the learned Bourne
thcre were those who regarded this phrase with
deep suspicion, lie writes; Another old custom
at this time IL the wishing Of n good New Year,
either when u New Years rft In presented. or
when friends meet Now. the original Of this
custom IL heathonish. as appears by the fcasting
and presents before mentioned. which were n wish
for good year. and II was customary among tho
hcathens on the cRlends Of January. TO 70 about
and sing New Years song Hospinian there
fore tells that when night comes on, not only the
Young but also IN. old Of both sexes nun about
here and there. and sing n song at the doors Of
IN. Weather people. In which they wish them n
happy New Year This he speaks indeed Of the
ChrIrtlanE but he calls II an exact copy Of tho
heathon'n custom
"put. however, cannot see the harm Of retain
inr this ancient ceremony. Il be not used super
s,itiouniy, nor attended with obHcchity and iewd'
neaH For then there will be- no more harm than
wishinR good each others welfare and prosper
ity; no more harm. than wishing good day, or
good night. than In bidding one Rodspocd."
In Philadelphia there has been preserved up
TO recent years the custom Of Now Yoara mum
ming" boys and Flrln-men and women also, TO
some .rtent-dreHscd In fantastic clothes and with
their fncea painted or masked, could be seen In
the streets. up 10 recently, begging and playing
practical Jokes They did similar things In eight
aen,h century London by no means to the approx,
All of Tho curate OF the pAfochlal chapel Of All
saints In Sewcasteon'fyne lie writes There