Gilpin observer., 1914-12-24


New Years eve in crowded restaur-
ants Neither did they. at the stroke
Of twelve. put on caps of colored
III paper ring COW bells. and throw con-
| ~ fetti at strangers. Yet we, who rid.
u - I'd cule their traditions and superstitons.
IHM ASI can find, 1t seems, no more satisfac-
h2xA SQI tory way in which to speed the old
49, year and welcome the new.
Perhaps we might profitably 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 1t 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 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. M. 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-
tion; 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) so they also careful OF
beginning well the new one. As they end the
former with a hearty compotaton. 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 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 Stilingfeet
Claus Wormius, Scheffer "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 present then was in any way
lucky, and 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 ofit. out of any such design and view.
superstitous and sinful, we told. in a
place OF St. Austin, the observation Of the calends
of January Is forbid. the songs which were wont
TO be sung that day. the feastings and the
presents which were then sent as token and
omen OF q good year But to send present at
that time, out of esteem, gratitude. or charity
is where forbid
"On the contrary 1t is praiseworthy For the
ancient fathers did vehementy inveigh against the
y
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 OBJ
served in solemnizing It,
III then send New Years gift to my friend.
it 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 never be forgoO 1t shall
be to make their hearts sing for Joy. and give
praise and alteration to the giver OF all good gifts
At any rate. still say Happy New Year!"
whether or not the words have any special Sig
niicance to us. In the time Of the learned Bourne
there we're those who regarded this phrase with
deep suspicion. He writes: Another old custom
at this time is the wishing of n 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 were wish
for a good year, and It was customary among the
heathens on the calends of January to go about
and sing a New Years song. Hospinian. there
FORE tells that 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 weather people, in which they wish them
happy New Year This he speaks indeed OF the
Christians but he calls 1t an exact copy of the
heathen's custom
But, however. cannot see the harm of retain
ing this ancient ceremony SO 1t be not used super
stitiously, nor attended with obscenty and lewd
ness. For then there will be no more harm than
wishing a good each others welfare and prosper
ity; no more HARM than wishing a 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 grls-men and women also. to
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.
eenth century London. by no means to the approx.
nj of the curate OF the parochial chapel Of All
Saints in Newcastle-on-Tyne He writes: There