Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1915-01-02

W# w paper, ring bells, and throw
| ~ setti at strangers. Yet we, who ridi-
= - cule their traditions and superstitions.
IIIMT mn can find, it seems more satisfac-
l{SHA GyOl tory way in which speed the old
lSSS%%So year and welcome the
Perhaps might profitably follow
their example. Certainly their way of waiting for
the year at home, at the home of their
friends, with games and songs and domestic cheer,
less expensive than our way. Also it 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 prosac
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 hui
morous writer's
Now, it is true that the apparently harmless
customs of paying calls and giving presents
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
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 the safe side.
-As the vulgar 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 hearty computation. they be-
gin the latter with the sending of presents, which
termed New Years gifts 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 Stiln gheet,
Claus Wormius, Schefer, "Snorro Sturleson," and
'the poet Naogeorgus." Then he writes: And
doubt, those Christians highly worthy of
censure. who imagined. the heathens did. that
the sending of a 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 general councils, take
notice of. and forbid any such CUSTOM because the
observance of it, out of such design and view,
was 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 that day. the Hastings and the
presents which were then sent as a token. ana
omen of a good year. But to send present at
that time, out of lesteem gratitude, charity.
is where forbid.
ION the contrary, it is praiseworthy. For the
ancient fathers did vehemently inveigh against the
observations of the calends of January; yet it
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.
IF then 1 send New Years gift to my friend,
it shall be token of my friendship If to my bene-
factor. token of my gratitude; if to the poor
(Which at this time must be forgot it 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 not the words have any special sig
nificance to In the time of the learned Bourne
/ there 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 is heathensh. appears by the feasting
and presents before mentioned, which were wish
for good year, and it customary among the
heathens the calends of January, to go about
and sing New Years song. Hospinian, there
fore, tells that when night comes not only the
young but also the old of both sexes. run about
here and there, and sing a song at the doors of
happy New Year. This he speaks indeed of the
Christians, but he calls it exact copy of the
heathen's custom
But however. cannot the harm of retain
ing this ancient ceremony, it be not used super
stitiously, attended with obscenity and lewd-
ness For then there will be more harm than
wishing a good each others welfare and prosper
ity; more harm, than wishing good day. or
good night; than in bidding one godspeed-"
In Philadelphia there has been preserved
to recent years the custom of New Years mum
ming" Boys and girls-men and women also. to
some extent-dressed in fantastic clothes and with
the streets. to recently, begging and playing
practical jokes They did similar things In eight
zenith century London. by no means to the APPROX
i al OF the curate OF the parochial chapel of AL
! Saints in Newcastle-on-Tyne- He writes; There