Star (Ballarat, Vic. : 1855 - 1864), Wednesday 2 January 1861, page 2


NEW TEAR'S DAY.

Another year bas rolled adown the tide i of time, and the first day of 1861 was ushered in with all the bustle and characteristics which usually distinguish, the Anglo-Saxon rase. The shops were closed

with few exceptions, and the majority of ! people seemed determined to keep the opening of the new year sn the orthodox fashion like their forefathers before them. Some few shops, however,- were opened, and be

hind the counters of these might be seen!

more than one unfortunate assistant, with ! woeful countenance, and a heart big with grief, observing the crowds that were wending their way westward to the Caledonian Ga- j therm g-the great centre of all attraction, ¡ and lamenting their untoward destiny, like j the Frenchman " who was bom to be a man bot died a grocer," and wishing all manner ofilia to the exacting master whose behests precluded them from mixing in the throng of light hearts and merry faces that swept

past the doors on prancing steeds, in car ! and phaeton, or humbly trod it upon foot. In justice to the general body of storekeepers we may state that their shops were closed, and the skinflints who kept open doora, and took an undue advantage of those who closed, realized but little profits, as the visits of customers ** were like angels' visite, few and far between." The banks and public offices were all closed, and a written notice posted on the doors intimated the days on which business would be resumed in these establishments. The morning was ushered in-not with merry bells or a January snow peculiar to an old country clime at this joyous season of the year-but with a few partial showers of rain, and dark leaden clouds that heralded distant thunder. We need scarcely say that these omens had the effect of damping the ardour of all who were on pleasure bent; but a« the day wore on it became evident that it would be favorable to out-door recreation, and though the sun was obscured with clouds and a gentle breeze blowing, the atmosphere was exceedingly close and warm. The great majority of our townsfolk assembled in the Copenhagen Grounds, while select groups of friends and acquaintances hied them to the cooling waters of Lake Burrumbeet, or the more romantic district of- the Lal Lal Falls, where they pic-nie'd it, and sauntered quietly amid the solitudes of those sweet retreats where, musing melancholy and nature dwells.

The juveniles of the Wesleyan Schools accompanied by persons of maturer years marched in procession from the school house in Lydiard street, and proceeded to the vicinity of the Swamp; where they amused themselves all day in orthodox fashion, while their creature comforts w ere amplyprovided for by those philanthropic gentlemen who are to be found in all places, and who " do good by stealth, and blush to find it fame." Juvenile Bands of Hope, also disported themselves in our rural retreats, no donbt on the principle " That all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." About three o'clock our streets wore a

deserted aspect. In fact, nearly every person was out of town. Here and there however, at the corners of the streets, might be seen a solitary individual " like the last rose of summer fading alone," the last of the Mohicans, or the last man in town,-pondering on the ills of life, and insensible to the busy scene-the joys and the hopes that buoy up his fellow man in his walk through lie. The world has no : charms for such desponding monomaniacs,

life to them is a burden, and the past a dream. They come up on the world's stage, observe its greatness, and pass down the stream of life "unwept, unhonored, and unsung." Such were the individuals who, on new year's day, lolled around the doors of public houses while their fellow men were inhaling the purer atmosphere of the country, or witnessing those athletic sports which give buoyancy to body and mind.

The Cricket Ground had its fair quota of the lovers of manly exercise, and quoiting, cricketing, Ste., were in high favor among the persons present. A match at the latter was played between the Ballarat and Little Bendigo Clubs.