by Octave Delepierre, LL.D.
Originally published in Belgravia (John Maxwell) vol.1 #3 (Jan 1867).
Before we examine into the custom of presenting gifts on the new year—a custom which has existed from olden times—let us take a retrospective view of the various epochs that were fixed upon for the commencement of the year previous to the establishment of the present calendar.
Under the kings of France of the first race the year began on the 1st of March; under those of the second, on Christmas-day; whilst under the third, it dated from Easter. It is the general opinion among authors that the 1st of January was not fixed upon for the commencement of the year until the sixteenth century, under Charles IX. This is a grave error, which it is important to correct.
In the fourteenth century the new year already dated from the 1st of January. This may be ascertained from the dedication placed at the opening of the Memoirs of Christine de Pisan, who wrote at the end of that century: "To the said much-revered prince, my Lord of Burgundy, on my part a new-year's gift, presented the first day of January, which we call new-year's day."
To this important fact we will add two extracts from the accounts or bills at the hotel of King Charles VI., kept from the 1st of October 1380 to the 1st of July 1381:
"Raoullet le Gay, for offerings made by the King at High Mass at the Sainte-Chapelle of the Palace the first day of the year; sent to him by the said Raoullet, Tuesday, the first day of January, to the King at the Palace, money, 4s. 4d. p."
"Jehannin Bricon, intendant of the chapel, Mons. de Valois, for offerings of the said lord made at High Mass on the first day of the year to the canons of the Bois de Vincennes; sent to him by the said Bricon, Wednesday, the second day of January."
These dates were doubtless not generally established; and it is not to be denied that Charles IX. was the first who conceived the idea of publishing an edict decreeing that from henceforth the year should begin on the 1st of January. This decree, which was issued from the castle of Roussillon, in Dauphiny, the 15th of August 1564, and registered at the Parliament the 19th of December, only came into force throughout France in 1567.
Fifteen years later a more important modification was made in the calendar. This was the Gregorian reform that corrected the Julian year, which, being rather longer than the real year, has ended by losing ten days; so that in 1582 the spring equinox, instead of happening on the 20th of March, fell really on the 10th of that month. To equalise the time better, three leap years were omitted in four centuries. It was also decided, in order to bring back the equinox to the 20th of March, that ten days should be taken from the current year, and that the 5th of October should be the 15th. This reform was not adopted by Russia and Greece, and was only accepted in England in 1752.
Macrobius, who has written eight books on the Roman calends—the Saturnalia, the Opalia, the Sigillaria, &c.—says that these solemnities commenced about the middle of December, Saturnalia XIV. Kalendarum solita celebrari; a date corresponding to the 19th of that month. Each of these festivals had its especial characteristics. Thus the Opalia were consecrated to the earth; and to the Sigillaria were presented statuettes and medals. There was also the festival of the winter solstice, les étrennes, &c.
The custom of étrennes was adopted by the Gauls, with all the greater facility that the 1st of January was with them a religious festival. The high priest of the Druids cut on that day the sacred mistletoe with a golden sickle. It was this custom, no doubt, that gave to the new-year's gifts the names of gudllenheus, haguilenne, aguilaneuf, or au gui l'an neuf, which are still to be found in ballads sung in the Gaulic provinces.
Before the reign of Charles IX., although the year only began at Easter, new-year's gifts were given on the 1st of January. We find a proof of this in an item in the catalogue of the library of the Duc de Berry. It is as follows: "A large book of Valerius Flaccus, illuminated, furnished with four silver clasps, enamelled with the arms of his lordship, which Jean Couran sent him as a new-year's gift the first day of January 1401."
The Saxon laws gave the month of January the name of Wolfmonth, because at this period of the year famished wolves entered the towns and attacked children, and even men. At a later time the Britons or Druids gave presents on new-year's day of figs and dates enveloped in gilded leaves. Henry III. and Edward IV. obliged their subjects to make them presents of great value on the new year. In the reign of Henry VIII., Bishop Latimer gave the king, instead of the usual present of a purse of gold, a copy of the New Testament, with a leaf turned down at chapter xiii. of the Epistle to the Hebrews, verse 4: "Marriage is honourable for all; but God will judge the adulterer."
Queen Elizabeth always demanded rich presents from her nobles and courtiers. Oranges stuck with cloves and other spices were given; and the ladies of the fifteenth century were well pleased to receive pins, for at that time they had only wooden hooks with which to fasten their dresses. They sometimes accepted money instead of pins, from which originated pin-money—an annual sum husbands are in the habit of giving their wives for their private expenses.
At another period it was usual to give gloves on new-year's day. A lady gave a pair of gloves with forty pieces of gold in the lining to Sir Thomas More, who had decided a lawsuit in her favour. Sir Thomas wrote a letter of thanks to the lady, in which he said, "It would be contrary to good manners to refuse the new-year's gift of a lady, but be pleased to present the lining elsewhere."
In the United States, on new-year's day, no ladies are to be seen in the streets. In France ladies content themselves with sending about innumerable cards; while in America they are more polite, and stay at home to receive visits from eight o'clock in the morning until midnight, and sometimes even later. The ladies of each household remain in the drawing-room in full evening dress; the younger ones by their side, also in ball costume. A sideboard elegantly laid out, and amply furnished with cold fowl, ham, pâtés, fruit-tarts, and cakes of every description, is placed at the disposal of the visitors, with choice wines and liqueurs. It is the understood custom not to refuse the invitation of the mistress of the house to partake of some refreshment, were it only a glass of madeira and a biscuit. The single glasses of madeira, however, continuing to be taken throughout the day, form a very considerable total, often visible in the flushed faces of the most respectable gentlemen. But "these ladies are so fascinating," says the lively Oscar Comettant, who has mixed for three years in the best society of the New World, "that it is impossible to refuse them anything."
The new year is one of the principal festivals of the Jews; but it would be no easy matter to give a clear idea of it, so complicated are their ceremonies. It is not without reason that one of their rabbis has said, "Were the entire sky parchment, the seas ink, the trees pens, I could not describe all the customs and usages of the Jews."
In China, says the Journal pour Tous, the return of the year is celebrated by festivities. The first month is named Yat-Youit.[1] At its approach both rich and poor lay aside all business, and give themselves up to visiting the temples and theatres, and to feasting. On new-year's eve all pending business must be settled to the satisfaction of the parties concerned. The authority of the mandarins is suspended; and it may easily be supposed that at the settlement of accounts serious disorders almost always ensue.
The Persians have also, under the name of Nourouz, their festival of the new year. This ceremony—founded by Djemschid, who regulated the solar year in Persia—takes place when the sun enters the sign of the Ram, that is to say, in the month of March. It is celebrated with much pomp and enthusiasm. This reciprocal exchange of gifts in Persia extends to every class of society. People greet one another with an offering in their hand, saying, "Ayd-morback"—an expression equivalent to our wishes for "a happy new year."
1. This month corresponds with the middle of our February.