Page images
PDF
EPUB
[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

The Guardian.

VOL. XIX.-JANUARY, 1868.-No. 1.

[blocks in formation]

Our German forefathers had a custom of saluting the incoming New Year. They exchanged visits of greeting on the night wherein the Old year ended, and the New Year began. Parties would be formed, to deliver these greetings to the families in the neighborhood. An hour before midnight their calls began, and were continued till towards morning. Usually a few guns were taken along to fire the salutes. Musicians, if any such were in the neighborhood, took their flutes and violins along, to accompany the New Year's hymn, sung before the door. One of the party committed and delivered the address (Spruch"). This usually consisted of a New Year's hymn, to which a few original sentences were added, to suit the occasion. Sometimes the custom led to scenes of rioting and drunkenness, disgraceful to the neighborhood, and through an imprudent use of fire-arms, disastrous to the guilty parties.

A venerable friend informs us, that fifty years ago he occasionally helped to salute his neighbors with a New Year's greeting. In the dead of night they quietly approached a home. After each had gently taken his place before the chamber window, where the parents slept, the spokesman, with a solemn voice, recited the beautiful New Year's hymn:

"Nun lasst uns gehn und treten
Mit Singen und mit Beten
Zum Herrn, der unserm Leben
Bis hieher Kraft gegeben.

"Wir gehn dahin und wandern

Von einem Jahr zum andern;

Wir leben und gedeihen,

Vom alten zu dem neuen.

"Durch so viel Angst und Plagen,
Durch Zittern und durch Zagen,
Durch Krieg und grosse Schrecken,
Die alle Welt bedecken."

At the close of the hymn the speaker continued:

"Damit will ich mein Wunsch beschliessen

Und euch dess Neue Jahr anschiessen.

Wann es euch aber sollt verdriessen,

So müsst ihr's sagen, ehe wir schiessen,-
Indem wir hören kein Verdruss,

So sollt ihr hören unsern Schuss."

And then a dozen guns were pointed skyward. The leader's command. "ready," "aim," "fire," was followed by an ill-concerted discharge of arms. For in those peaceful days, the country had no well-drilled warriors yet. Noise enough the firing made, which brought all the children out of bed in one leap. The horses and cattle in the stables sprang to their feet, and the frightened poultry on their roost set up a great cackling. By this time the door was opened, and the greeters invited to enter. Hard cider, cakes, pies and all manner of delicacies were set before them. After singing a few more hymns, they proceeded on their mirthful tour. On one occasion the good man of the house, named Rober, and his spouse, happened to sleep in a room on the second story. To perform his part with due effect, the speaker stealthily climbed on to a lofty wood-pile

« PreviousContinue »