Democratic Sentinel, Volume 12, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 December 1888 — WELCOMING NEW YEAR’S. [ARTICLE]

WELCOMING NEW YEAR’S.

On New Year’s Day have feasts been held by Christian, Pagan or what not, so far as the chronicles of men go back. Time was when the Romans gave gifts to their senators on the opening day of the year, and the day has been celebrated with more ceremony than Christmas, even in Christian lands. Christmas, as it is now known, a, general feasting and gift-giving day, is a comparatively modern institution, adopted from the Germans, who still preserve it as their chief holiday. Indeed, while the rest of the population of this country are making preparations for the celebration of New Year’s Day, German citizens are taking down the Christmas tree which has been brilliantly illuminated, and upon which admiring children have gazed fondly for a week. After Caesar conquered Britian, forty-five years before the birth of Christ, the Romans ■carried their custom of celebrating the en--1 rance of Janus with gift-giving and festivals. Dates, figs covered with gold leaf and a small piece of money, formed “appropriate” NewYear's gifts. The Druids of Britain adopted the Roman custom, and gave branches of mistletoe cut with a golden knife in thesacred forests. Edward VI. was pleased to receive an orange stuck full of doves, and the reformer, Latimer, sent to Henry VIII.. for a NewYear’s gift, a New Testament, with the leaf turned down at- Hebrews xiii.,which the lusty monarch of seven wives did not relish. James I. once received a canteen on which was engraved the sun, moon, stars and planets, said to have beeri the work of David 11., the Scottish king, while confined as a prisoner in Nottingham Castle. J an. 1.1859, Sir Francis Drake gave Queen Elizabeth a “fanne of feathers white and redde x the handle of guide, inameled with a half moonc of mother of pearlee. within that a half moone garnished with sparkes of diamondes, having a picture of Her Majesty within it.” “ Health, my lord king,” the Sweet Rowena “ Hcahat!” cried the chieftain to the Saxon Then gayly rose, and 'mid the concourse vjde Kissed her pale lips and placed her by his side. At the soft- scene, such gentle thoughts abound. That healths and kisses ’mongst the guests went round. From this the social custom took its rise; We still retain, and still must keep the prize. The poor will many a care forget, The debtor think not of his debt. But. as they each enjoy their cheer. Wish it were Christmas alFthe year. —[Thomas Miller.