The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1914-01-01
ON TRACK OF
The new YEAR
How the Ancients Celebrated the Advent
Of the Year, and How the Da}sis Oh
served in Various Countries NoW.---A
Day of Gladness.


uay OF 6ldaneSS.
DATE OFTEN CHANGED
New Years was a long time in
settling upon January as the
proper time for its celebration
Even now, in Greece and Russia
where the Julian calendar is IN
force, New Years does not arrive
until twelve days after the year is
we'll on its way in the rest Of the
civilized world.
The ancient Egyptians and Per-
slams began the new year at the au-
iumnal equinox, September %, and
the Greeks of Solon's time at the
winter solstice. December 2l, but
in the time of Pericles the date was
changed to the summer solstice,
June q. The Romans began the
year from the winter solstice nntil
Caesar changed it to January l.
With the Jews the new year began
in September in civil affairs, but in
their ecclesiastical reckoning the
beginning of year dates from the
vernal equinox, March %. And, as
this is astronomically the beginning
of spring, the date is logical one,
and that of the 25th of March Us
being more fully rounded nnmber)
was accepted generally by Christian
nations in medieval times as New
Years.
Ia England December p W as
New Years until the time of VIII
liam the Conqueror. His corona
ton happened to fall on January |,
aud accordingly the year was or
dered 20 commence on that day.
But the English gradually fell into
union with the rest of Chrlstendom
and began the year on March %.
When in 1882 the Gregorian calen-
dar was promulgated and definitely
located New Years on January
most Catholic countries adopted it
at once. but England did not ac-
quiesce until 1852.
In Ancient Rome
In ancient Rome New Years day
was given up to feasting and
frolicking. Sacrifcial fires burned
continually on the affairs of the
twelve gods. All litigation and
strife were suspended, reconcilia-
tions took place, New Years calls
were made and New Years gifts
bestowed. There also originated
the New Years resolution, for ev-
cry Roman resolved on New Years
day to so regulate his conduct that
every word and act should be a
happy augury for all the days Of
the ensuing year
On account of the orgies which
marked the New Years arrival, not
only among the Rpmans but among
the Teutonic races, the early Chris
tians looked with scant favor upon
the whole season. BY the fifth
century, however. December rs be-
came the fixed festival Of the Ma
tlvity, whereupon Januaay L as
sumed special sacred character as
the octave of Christmas day.
The giving of gifts on New
Years day has been superseded
largely in Anglo Saxon countries
by the giving of Christmas gifts,
but the custom still Is retained in
France. This custom was one of
the most ancient and universally
observed of New Years day.
The Druids distributed branches
of the sacred mistletoe. The Ro-
man emperors exacted gifts. and so
did the English rulers down to the
time of Cromwell.
The world over on New Years
it is custom to drink to the health
of ones friends.
The custom of making New
Years resolutions and turning
oyer, new leaf'' is universal and,
like political platforms, is as much
honored in the breach as in the OBJ