Among fine people New Year's-day is more of a fete than Christmas.

Its approach is regarded with dark misgivings by many, for every gentleman is expected to make a call upon all the ladies of his acquaintance, and to leave them a box of sugarplums.

This is a heavy tax upon those who have more friends than money--300fr.

is not considered an extraordinary sum to spend upon these bonbonnieres.

A friend of mine, indeed, assured me that he yearly spent 1000fr., but then he was a notorious liar, so very possibly he was not telling the truth.