Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-01-01

| kettle and q competent supply of buns and
shortbread, of bread and cheese,
| round of visits to the neighbors. II they
met by the way another party bent on
similar purpose they would stop and ex-
change greetings with them and the kettle
of each party would be passed around. If
they were first to reach the house toward
which they had set out they were deemed
the first foot" 1t was important that they
should make their entry not empty-handed,
but with their hands full of bread and cakes
and cheese, for thus was good luck assured
the friends family for the ensuing year.
Eats" have always borne a prominent
part in New Years observances, though by
"eats" we should, perhaps, include drinks"
The beverages consumed in the hotels and
restaurants of American cities on the holiday
eve are of no insignificant quantity. The
wassail bowl in England-of ale nutmeg
sugar, toast and roasted crabs or apples-and
the eggnog in the United States are a part
of the celebration, but not to such an extent
as a century or more ago.
The exchange of gifts on New Years
Day is still preserved in a few localities in
most countries, but the custom is not nearly
as general as 1t was. The Chinese,
whose New Year begins on February l. make
the uby u special tlfne the adjustment OF
differences, the payment of debts and the
exchange of gifts. The joss houses and
streets resound with the noise of firecrackers
The racket drives the devils away. The
Persians celebrate New Years by exchang-
ing presents of eggs. The Druids dis
tributed as New Years gifts branches of the
sacred mistletoe. In Anglo-Saxon and Nor
man England gifts were common. In early
Anglo-Saxon England. the 25th of December
was New Years Day William the Conqueror
named January 1st the first day of the
year, though before his time and for some
centuries afterward the 25th of March held
that distinction.
The custom of exchanging gifts survives
in Scotland and in France and Germany. as
we'll as in China, Japan and Persia In
France the day is known as 'Ie Jour
detrennes" In England and America the
Christmas gift has in most localities taken the
place of the New Years gift. The custom is
OF ancient origin. Tradition refers the origin
of New Years gifts among the Romans TO
Tatius, King of the sabines. Branches cut
from the wood consecrated TO Strenia, the
goddess of strength. were received by him on
the first day of the year as presents of good
omen. He sanctioned the custom and called
the gifts "strenae," a word which immedi-
ately suggests the French Jour d'etrennes."
the custom of presenting gifts to the kings
and later to the emperors is described by
many Roman writer's.
The Early Fathers
Participation in the ordinary New Years
Day observances as we'll as in the satur-
MALTA of December was from the first discour-
aged by the Church Christians We're expect
ed to spend the day in quiet meditation.
Fan nf Co
The early fathers-Chrysostom Ambrose
Augustine, Peter Chrysologus and others-in
reprobation Of the immoral and superstitious
observances of the pagan festival, prohibited
in Christian use all festive celebration The
mandate however was but partially observ-
ed In early New England some of the Puri-
tan ministers thought that the celebration or
even notice OF the day sayored OF improper
and unchristian reverence for the heathen
god Janus. 1t is curious TO find the Puritan
Judge sewell a hater OF all holidays ana
set days. recording his pleasure at being
awakened on New Years morning by blast
of trumpets. That was in sober Boston In
1898. In Colonial days In New England
Christmas gifts were never exchanged. but
on New Years Day gift-giying was common.
There has grown up IN the United States
a new form of New Year observance. The
~ - "faueiAAia - q ueVeiopment
OF the bell sniekler" OF 80 years ago and the
fiesta hints Of the New Orleans Mardi Gras.
The American no longer stays at home If he
happens to live in the city drinking his
eggnog or wine BY his own hreside as the
clock strikes H. Instead, he goes to the
streets where be blows a horn, wears a
masque, throws confetti and yells at the top
Of his voice, Then he will go to a Fashionable
cafe and make himself believe he Is seeing the
new year in by eating and drinking. In San
Francisco the streets are illuminated and
Ehronged with people, who compete with one
another In making hideous noises More re-
Gently this unrestrained Impulse Of good VIII
has been organised aud reduced TO some In
Eelligent form OF order 50 that the cele-
bration takes lhs form of gorgeous pageant.
IN Pasadena snd Los Angeles aouers are