Page:The Homes of the New World- Vol. III.djvu/17

Rh their everyday garments, manners, and occupations. It is remarkable, however, that after this time, everything which occurred before it is regarded as not having been. All neglect, all quarrels, great or small, between individuals of the nation are to be forgotten, and life is regarded as if new-born. Any one who, after this time, calls to remembrance any annoyance which occurred before it, or evinces any grudge, or cherishes ill-will, must pay a fine. Bushkiton returns every year as a festival of reconciliation and renovation. How excellent, if all bitter memories whatever could be washed away by this Indian Lethe! And who shall deny but that Bushkiton, with its inward desire and outward labour, might not be a good help for such purpose.

We civilised people should do well by adopting the Bushkiton of the savages. And there is a custom in the United States, especially in their large cities, and it is said to flourish in New York and New Orleans, which probably may have its origin in the Indians' feast of reconciliation. In these cities, New-year's day is regarded, in some sort, as a day of renovation and reconciliation. New-year's visits are the means made use of. If any quarrel has arisen during the past year between two individuals, or between two families, and if they have ceased to see one another, or to speak to one another, a visit paid on New-year's day is sufficient, without any further explanation, to make all amicable again between them. And both sides are silently agreed to forget all that is past, and to let life begin anew.

The ladies of “la haute volée” do not go out on this day, but sit at home, splendidly dressed, in their drawing-rooms, which are decorated for the occasion, to receive gentlemen, who pay complimentary visits; and I have heard it said, that many a gentleman who is blessed with a numerous acquaintance in good families, makes himself quite ill by incessantly driving about on this day from one