The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1920-12-31

~EW YEARS DAY is a time for
thanksgiving and mirth and
y banpiness, and in some eoun-
for the interchange of gifts. 1t
= :. also a day which, because it is the
flaming of another year in ones life,
associated with it certain sa-
illness which often takes the form
e resolutions to do more and better
ttinos than one has ever done before.
u is appropriate that the series of
20 months should open on the first day
= January, because this is the period
= the winter solstice, the turning
1o;rt of the year, the time when earth
Eogius to be revivified in anticipation
- the coming of spring. The ancients
Understood this significance and, ak
tbouqb several changes in their calen-
dar took place before the present date
was made permanent, January 1st has
bpen we are told, the generally &C
cppted date since the reign of the !Ro-
man king Numa Pompilius, 672 B. G.
He decreed that the year should begin
az if now does, and added two new
months to the already existing ten.
The first month was named January
in honor of the god Janus. who was
rpnrpSented by the Romans as having
two faces, this signifying that he was
acquainted with both past and future
events. On this first day it was the
Roman custom to offer to Janus sacri-
fee upon twelve different affairs.
Among the offerings was a cake Of
sifted meal with incense and wine.
The people took every precaution to
conduct themselves so perfectly that
nothing but good might be presaged
for the coming year. Latin writer's of
the time say that all strifes and diff
ferences ceased at the New Year. The
day was spent in visiting, feasting and
exchanging gifts. Indeed, the burden
of giving had become so heavy that
during the reign of Claudius he felt
forced to limit it by a decree.
In Belgium the children are espe-
cfally active on New Years. Their
greatest fun is obtained by secreting
all the keys belonging to the various
doors of the house. Then they hide,
watching, lynX-eyed, from their van
tage ground for the chance TO lock up
an unsuspecting parent or uncle or
aunt. When once caught they are not
freed until they promise certain for
felt of sWeetmPatS.
In France it is called 'le jour de
Tan"-the day of the year. Merry
making. calls and gifts reign supreme.
Dancing, singing and wine also have
prominence. Candy. not usually al
lowed to French children, is generous
" given out, January LIST is also the
day for family reunions. And in the
early morning hours relatives of any
one who has died during the year as
Spmble at the grave for brief service. !
One of the prettiest customs in the |
world is that observed at Franfort-On- |
thelTain. Many are the gay parties
which gather on New Years eve, and |
when the great cathedral clock begins
to chime the midnight hour every win
dow of every occupied house is raised
Each person lifts high a glass and (
with one voice the whole city cries /
out, "PrOsit Neujahr" BY the time
the twelfth stroke is reached the win /
dows are closed and quiet reigns as !
the old year draws its last breath.
In rural parts of Russia the chill
dren who have arisen especially early |
on this holiday. start out on a house |
toulouse pilgrimage, with pockets .
brimful Of dried peas and wheat. /
Doors are never locked in Russia, so |
1t is an easy matter to enter. If the |
occupants of the house thus visited |
are asleep the children pelt with peas
those whom they dislike, and then .
sprinkle wheat over their friends.
High mass is celebrated on New |
Years at Madrid. Many presents are
given between friend and friend, and !
by the rich to the poor.
A Chinese New Year custom is for |
Inc people to buy or bake small cakes !
made Of rice, flour and sugar, which, |
with fruit and dates, they put on
plates and place before the image of .
buddha. This is the one time of the |
year When everybody is religious. New
door gods are pasted upon the doors,
consisting of colored prints of the re-
puted likenesses of two great warriors |
OF ancient times, who were supposed |
10 be defenders not only of the coun-
Try hut of the home. On the morning !
OF the last day Of the year they wor-
snip their ancestors and the Buddhas, |
and on New Years day they worship
The god of wealth for having brought
Them safely through another year. q