e.

AN "ATTIC" PHILOSOPHER

BOOK 1.

CHAPTER I. NEW-YEAR'S GIFTS

January 1st

The day of the month came into my mind as soon as I awoke. Another year
is separated from the chain of ages, and drops into the gulf of the
past! The crowd hasten to welcome her young sister. But while all looks
are turned toward the future, mine revert to the past. Everyone smiles
upon the new queen; but, in spite of myself, I think of her whom time
has just wrapped in her winding-sheet. The past year!--at least I know
what she was, and what she has given me; while this one comes surrounded
by all the forebodings of the unknown. What does she hide in the clouds
that mantle her? Is it the storm or the sunshine? Just now it rains, and
I feel my mind as gloomy as the sky. I have a holiday today; but what
can one do on a rainy day? I walk up and down my attic out of temper,
and I determine to light my fire.

Unfortunately the matches are bad, the chimney smokes, the wood goes
out! I throw down my bellows in disgust, and sink into my old armchair.

In truth, why should I rejoice to see the birth of a new year? All those
who are already in the streets, with holiday looks and smiling faces--do
they understand what makes them so gay? Do they even know what is the
meaning of this holiday, or whence comes the custom of New-Year's gifts?

Here my mind pauses to prove to itself its superiority over that of the
vulgar. I make a parenthesis in my ill-temper in favor of my vanity, and
I bring together all the evidence which my knowledge can produce.

(The old Romans divided the year into ten months only; it was Numa
Pompilius who added January and February. The former took its name
from Janus, to whom it was dedicated. As it opened the new year, they
surrounded its beginning with good omens, and thence came the custom of
visits between neighbors, of wishing happiness, and of New-Year's gifts.
The presents given by the Romans were symbolic. They consisted of dry
figs, dates, honeycomb, as emblems of "the sweetness of the auspices
under which the year should begin its course," and a small piece of
money called stips, which foreboded riches.)

Here I close the parenthesis, and return to my ill-humor. The
little speech I have just addressed to myself has restored me my
self-satisfaction, but made me more dissatisfied with others. I could
now enjoy my breakfast; but the portress has forgotten my morning's
milk, and the pot of prese