HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE NOTES. 57
crowd, the eye rests on the Tron gial, and the words of Hugh Miller on the
approach of the New Year occur to the mind-‘After marking the red glare
of Ztna reflected in the waves that slumber round the moles of Syracuseafter
glancing on the towers of the seven-hilled city, and the hoary snows of
the Alps-after speeding over France, over Flanders, over the waves of the
German Sea, it will be with ourselves, and the tall ghostly tenements of Dun-
Edin will re-echo the shouts of the High Street.’ James Smith, in his
sketches of Edinburgh life five-and-twenty years ago, graphically describes
the scene :-‘ I sallied forth for a stroll along the busy streets. Every
shop-window was looking gayer than another, particularly those of the
bakers and confectioners, that presented a sight that was enough to gladden
the eye of Epicurus. Currant loaves in thousands were there, buns of every
hue and colour, cakes of shortbread containing proverbial expressions and
happy wishes on their outside, done up tastefully with lemon-peel--“A
happy New Year when it comes, an’ mony returns”--“ Mind twelve o’clock”
-“Ye ken wha frae J J - ~ ~ Dinna forget ”-“ Hoo’s a’ wi’ ye ?”-cc The simple
man’s the beggar’s brither ”-‘<A merry Christmas, and a happy New Year”-
May the mouse never leave yer meal-pock wi’ a tear in its e’e ”-“ Happy
W? muckle, and canty wi’ mair ”-“ Absent freen’s ”-“ May the last year be
the warst year, an’ the next ane be the best ane.” Loud rang the cheery
cries on every side--“ Almanacks 1 Almanacks ! Belfast Almanacks 1 ” I
wandered up and down the streets until it was within a few minutes of the
last hour of the dying year, and then joyfully formed one of the happy band
of daredevils that encircled the Tron Church ; and when the momentous
hour began to chime-the hour of tweZw-I joined lustily in &e cheery cry,
“A happy New Year I ” that rolled on the wintry air like thunder. Friend met
friend, and stranger met stranger, with the right hand extended and the everwelcome
salutation--l‘A happy New Year-hurrah ! a happy New Year 1”
Here’s to the Year that’s awa’ 1 ”
‘‘ Happy we’ve been a’ thegither,
Canty we’ve been ane an’ a’.”
“A gude New*Year to ane an’ a’,
An’ mony may we see,”-
GC
‘ Now and then,
ora
song of brilliant but unfortunate poor Sandy Hume, who now lies mouldering
in the dust-a thorough musician and a true poet as well-fell on the ear
like sweet music.‘ The custom is very similar at the present day.
There is a tradition that the Articles of Union between England and
H
