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The New Year

Improvement Era, vol. 1, no. 3, January 1898, p. 171

The Casquet

EUROPEAN DIPLOMACY. 171

other questions have either been subsidiary or remotely associated with the eastern question, and in its discussion and attempted settlement, prejudices and jealousies have arisen which now affect the European powers in other parts of the world.

THE NEW YEAR.

Hark! the cock crows, and yon bright star Tells us the day himself's not far; And see when, breaking from the night, He gilds the western hills with light. With him old Janus* doth appear, Peeping into the future year. With such a look as seems to say. The prospect is not good that way.

But stay! but stay! me thinks my sight, Better informed by clearer light, Discerns sereneness in that brow. That all contracted seem'd but now. His reversed face may show distaste. And frown upon the ills o'er past. But that which this way looks is clear, And smiles upon the new born year.

The Casqiiet.

  • Janus: A Latin deity represented with two faces looking in opposite directions. Supposed to be the god of the sun and the year, to whom the month of January was sacred.