The Arvada enterprise. (Arvada, Colo.) 1908-1970, 1914-12-24


of twelve, put caps Of colored
paper. ring COW bells, and throw
| ~ fetti at strangers. Yet we, who ridi-
d - I'd Guile their traditions and superstitions.
|t|@M can find, it seems satisfac-
h2NSQl tory way in which to speed the old
49, year and welcome the new
Perhaps we might proftably follow
their example. Certainly their way Of waiting for
the new year at home, at the home of their
friends. with games and songs and domestic cheer,
was less expensive than our way. Also it 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 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, it 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 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. He 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 WELL" he wrote. (pointing his satire
by means Of italics.) 80 they also careful Of
beginning well the new one. AS they end the
former with hearty computation, 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
toms is superstitious and sinful; and was observed
that the succeeding year might be prosperous
and successful"
He calls many writer's to witness the antiquity
Of these customs, quoting from Bishop Stillingfeet,
Claus Wormus. Scheffer. "Snorro Sturleson." and
1.-The poet Naogeorgus" Then he writes: And
doubt, those Christians were highly worthy Of
censure. who imagined. as the heathens did that
the sending OF present then 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 1t, out OF any such design and view.
superstitious and sinful 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 good year But to send present at
that time. out Of esteem. gratitude or charity,
is no where forbid.
ION the contrary, 1t is praiseworthy. For the
ancient fathers did vehemently invcgh against the
was not because Of those presents and tokens OF
mutual affection and love that passed: but because
the day itself dedicated to idols. and because
OF some prophane rites and ceremonies they OBJ.
served In solemnizing It.
III then l send New Years gift to my friend.
It shall be token Of my friendship; II to my bene.
factor token Of my gratitude; II to the poor
(Which mt this time must be forgot) II shall
be to make their hearts sing for Joy and give
praise and alteration to the giver OF all good gifts
At any rate we still say Happy New Year."
whether not the words have any special sig.
nilcance to In the time OF the learned Bourne
there were those who regarded this phrase with
deep suspicion. He 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 Ia henthenish. M appears by the fensting
and presents before mentioned. which were wish
for a good year and It was customary among the
heathens on the calends OF January to 10 about
and sing New Years song Hospinian there
fore, tells that when night comes on. not only tho
young but also the old OF both sexes run about
here and there. and sing n song at the doors OF
the wenlthicr people, in which they wish them
happy New Yenr. This he speaks indeed OF the
Christians, but nc calls It an exact copy OF the
hcathens custom.
But however I cannot see the harm CT retain.
ing this ancient ceremony. 30 II be not used super.
stitiously. nor attended with obscenty and lewd.
ncsx For then there will be no more harm than
wishing n good each others welfare and prosper.
fly; no more harm. than wishing n good day. or
good night; than in bidding one godspeed"
In Philadelphia there has been preserved up
TO recent years the custom OF New Years mum.
ming Boys and girs-mcn and women Also 10
some extent-dressed In fantastic clothes and with
their faces painted or masked. could be seen In
the streets up to recently. begging and playing
practical Jokes. They did similar things In eight.
zenith century London. by no means to the spprov.
Al Of the curate Of the parochial chapel Of All
Saints In Newcastle-on.Tyne He writes There