Punch (22.1852)

THE OLD AND NEW YEAB.

hottlb we shake hands with
Time, we spoil a clock,
Or thus would we the
parting year embrace;
If years have fists in cor-
dial grip to lock,
Which is considered not
to be the case,—-
For the past twelvemonths,
certainly, is one
Out of the common run.

It is not every day we kill
a P'g.

Observes a rustic saw;
not every year
With such a national event
is big

As that just ended; and
it claims a cheer.
In nineteen hundred, less
by forty-eight,
We've not had one so
great.

French, Austrians, Russians, Prussians, Danes, and Dutch,
Spaniards, Italians, Yankees, Turks, Chinese,

And all the world beside; indeed, 'twas much
To see them here content, and at their ease,

With Englishmen, like ringdoves in a cage,
Then first, in any age.

The new year comes, and happy may it be !

If not so splendid as the year that's flown;
It comes with flowers and fruit, and such may we

Gather, as we are fain to hope we've sown,—
The growth of honesty, and truth, and right,—
Peace, comfort, freedom, light.

PUNCH'S EVERY-DAY BOOK.

January.—This month derives its name from Janus, who had two
faces, one sad and the other smiling; the former contemplating the
Christmas Bills, the latter looking on at the festivities of the season.
In ancient prints, January is sometimes represented as a veteran with
a woodman's axe—perhaps the identical one that the old year has just
cut his stick with.

January Isi.—The practice of giving presents on New Year's Day is
as old as the Romans, who gave each other figs and dates; but the
precise date cannot be ascertained, nor is the earliest fig to be found
in any collection of facts and figures. In Queen Elizabeth's time,
all the royal servants presented Her Majesty with gifts, and her pastry-
cook xgave her some tarts; but in these days puffs are, happily, not
acceptable to royalty.

Suitors in the Courts of Law frequently gave gloves as New Year's
Gifts to the Judges, who, as they did not always come into court with
clean hands, found the gift acceptable.

The Eirst of January is dedicated, in the Roman Calendar, to St.
Fulgentius, who used to walk barefooted, to the great injury of his
sole, and who, never eating meat, lived upon pulse, which reduced his
own pulse to a state of extreme feebleness. Though his only food con-
sisted entirely of vegetables, he reached a green old age, which was,
perhaps, natural.

January 2nd.—This day is dedicated by the Roman Catholics, to
St. Macamus, who was once stung by a gnat, which he killed inadver-
tently. The Saint went into the marshes to do penance, when he was
stung by so many flies, that his body was covered with tumors, and he
came back such a thorough swell that nobody knew him.

A Card from the Protectionist Waits.

We, your Protectionist dead weights, make our usual petition, and
return to the old song at this festive period. We beg to remind you
that we have no connexion with the Pope's brass band, or any other
instruments of humbug, except our own, which we continue to play
upon.

N.B. The Protectionist dead weights are at present without a leader,
Any one who has a knack of performing always on one string may find
the situation suit him. Apply at No. 19, Old Bond Street.

Vol. 22.

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