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Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Monthly Bulletin
Published monthly, except in August and September, by the Carnegie Library of
Pittsburgh, Forbes Street and Bellefield Avenue, Schenley Park, Pittsburgh, Pa. President,
S. H. Church, Carnegie Library, Forbes Street and Bellefield Avenue; Secretary,
J. D. Hailman; Treasurer, James H. Reed, 1027 Carnegie Building; Director, John H.
Leete, Carnegie Library. Forbes Street and Bellefield Avenue.
Subscription 50 cents a year.
Vol.25 December 1920
No. 10
New Year Customs
From Clement A. Miles's "Christmas in Ritual and Tradition."
The observances of New Year's Day mainly rest... on the principle
that "a good beginning makes a good ending," that as the first
day is so will the rest be. If you would have plenty to eat during the
year, dine lavishly on New Year's Day, if you would be rich see that
your pockets are not empty at this critical season,if you would be
lucky avoid like poison at this of all times everything ofill omen...
The laying of stress on what happens on New Year's Day is by no
means peculiarly European. Hindus, for instance, as Mr. Edgar
Thurston tells us, "are very particular about catching sight of some
auspicious object on the morning of New Year's Day, as the effects
of omens seen on that occasion are believed to last throughout the
year." It is thought that a man's whole prosperity depends upon the
things that he then happens to fix his eyes upon.
Charms, omens, and good wishes are naturally the most prominent
customs of January 1 and its Eve. The New Year in England can
hardly be called a popular festival; there is no public holiday and the
occasion is more associated with penitential Watch Night services and
good resolutions than with rejoicing...
In France January I is a far more festal day than Christmas;it is
then that presents are given, family gatherings held, and calls paid.
In the morning children find their stockings filled with gifts, and then
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