NEW YEAR'S GIFTS.

The custom of New-year's Gifts is very ancient, and was formerly carried
to a great extent. The sovereign used to accept gifts from his courtiers
and principal favourites, and was also in the habit of making presents
to certain individuals; the prince, however, always taking care that the
presents he received greatly exceeded in value those which he gave.
It is recorded of Bishop Latimer, that on one occasion he presented to
his master, Henry VIII., instead of a sum in gold for a New-year's
Gift, a New Testament, with the leaf folded down at Hebrews, ch. xiii.,
v. 4.--on reference to which the king found a text well suited as an
admonition to himself. Queen Elizabeth supplied herself with wardrobe
and jewels principally from new year's gifts. Dr. Drake has given
a list of some of these presents;--amongst the items we find the
following: "Most of the peers and peeresses of the realm, the bishops,
the chief officers of state, her majesty's household, even as low
as the master of the pantry and head cook, all gave her majesty a
Christmas-box,--consisting either of a sum of money, jewels, trinkets,
or wearing apparel. The Archbishop of Canterbury usually gave 40l.,
the Archbishop of York 30l., and the other prelates from 10l. to 20l.
The peers gave in the same proportion;--whilst the peeresses presented
rich gowns petticoats, shifts, stockings, garters, &c. Her physician
presented her with a box of foreign sweetmeats; and from her apothecary
she received a box of ginger-candy and a box of green ginger. Ambroise
Lupo gave her a box of lute-strings; and Smith, the royal dustman,
presented her majesty with two bolts of cambric."

W.G.C.