Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1914-12-25

ants. Neither Old they. AT the 6IrOAo
of twelve. put on caps of coiored
paper. ring COW bells, and throw con.
~ fetti at strangers Yet we. who ridi
Guile their traditions and superstitons
IbIM~AeNI can find. 1t seems, no more satisfac
I{1Wh Sy<lI tory way in which to speed the old
g9y@sRASs year and welcome the new.
Perhaps we might prohtably 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 II Ii
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 prosalc
calendar nowadays. instead pf the elaborate poetic
address which In years gbne 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 tho 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, la 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; showing
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 italcs) $50 they also careful Of
beginning well the one. AS they end the
| former with a hearty computation. 30 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 In Huperstitious 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 stlngheet
/ Claus Wormius Scheffer, "Snorro Sturleson," and
i "the poet Naogeorgus." Then he writes "And no
doubt, those Christians were highly worthy Of
/ censure, who imagined die the heathens did, that
the sending OF present then was In any way
lucky and omen OF tho success Of the following
Il year. For this was the very thing that made sew
eral holy men. and some general councils take
notice Of and forbid any such customi because the
observance OF 1t, out Of any such design and vie"
was superstitious and sinful We are told. In q
place Of St. Austin. the observation Of the calends
OF January 10 forbid, tho songs which we're wont
TO BE- sung on that day. the feastings, and the
presents which were then sent token and
omen OF good year. But to send a present az
that time out OF esteem. or gratitude. or charity.
10 no where forbid.
"on the contrary. IL ls praiseworthy. For the
ancient fathers did vehementiy inyeigh against the
observations of the calends Of January; yet i
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 solemniEing y.
III then send New Years gift to my friend
Il shall be token of my friendship II 70 my bene
/ factor : token Of ny gratitude II to the poor
(which at this time must never be forgoD II shall
he TO make their hearts sing for Joy. and give
praise and alteration 10 the gver of NIL good gifts
Al auy rate we still say Happy New Year,
| whether or not the words have any special sig
nificance to US In the time OF the learned Bourne
there were those who regarded this phrase vita
deep suspicion. He writes; Another old custom
| AZ this time In the wishing Of a good New Year
Il either when a New Years gift Is presented OF
: when friends meet Now. the original Of this
. custom liz heathenish. appears by the feastiml
: and presents before mentioned. which we're wish
for good year. and i was customary among TINS
heathens on the caeHds OF January 10 go apOu
ana sing a New Years song Hospinian. there
FORE tells that when night comes on. not only tn'
young but also the cid Of both sexes run abou
here and there. and sing song az the doors Q
!, the Weather people IN when tney Nish mem
( happy New Year ibis he speaks indeed Of th'
y Christians. but be calls i an exact copy OF IN
!, heathen's custom.
.But however, cannot see the harm OF retain
. ing this ancient ceremony, 30 be not used super
y atifioua1y nor attended with obscenity and lewd
meas FOR then there will be no more harm tnai
&C wishing 9 good each others welfare ana prosper
v ~. N more harm than wishing q good day o
Iy scad ntght. than IN Bidding one godspeed.
. - pbuadal1hia there has been preserved o.
ID - ~scent vsurs the custom Of New Years mum
= ming" Boys and glrls-men ana Nomen $50. J
go, vasutdressed In fantastic clothes and Wit
,hslv ssesw yaanted or masked. could BE- seen 4
~ 1880 wo 10 recently begging and playin
e practical jokes. They die similar INNS u s'sn
e eenth century Londdn BY no means 20 tas Appf0'
Of = - shs enrate 81 the parochlal chapel Of Al
be ssgnae " Neuesstia-ousTV"e ~ 7