The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1914. THE NEW YEAR.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 310, 31 December 1914, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1914. THE NEW YEAR.

A year of strange happenings and great upheaval is rapidly drawing to its close, and to-night 1914 lays down its heavy burden. To-morrow A.D. 1915 takes up the Old Year’s uncompleted tasks and the people of all nations will greet the newcomer with chastened spirit and much wonder as to what the New Year brings. For five months the world’s most brutal and appalling war has raged and in that short span whole armies have been swept away, smiling and prosperous cities of but yesterday converted into mere heaps of smoking ruins, while one noble nation lies violated, crushed and bleeding—yet infinitely greater than her false and cowardly conqueror. Famine and pestilence have raised their fearsome heads in some places while their fell shadow is over many more. But war’s ruthlessness goes on unchecked, and if is on sad doings indeed amongst the so-called civilised

■ tions that 1915 will first look. We cannot therefore welcome the strange* as a “Glad New Year” ; the world is too much troubled for gladness to prevail. But this at least we may do: with stout hearts and faithul, we may cling to Life’s great anchor—Hope—in the fervent expectation that Right may speedily prevail and soon once again the Dove of Peace may find its habitation on this war-torn earth. To leave for a moment the wider aspect of affairs, we who dwell in this pleasant southern land have much to be thankful for in what the passing year has brought to us. Progress in many directions has been marked, and the I ! prosperity of the country was never greater. As to the outlook, that too is remarkably good so far as our commercial prospects are concerned, and with the prestige of Britain greater to-day than ever before a continuance of that freedom which we have so long enjoyed is assured. The coming year must bring with it many possibilities, many surprises, many responsibilities, and some disappointments; but wo may rest assured that it has also many blessings in its lap, and there is no real reason why we should not to-day observe that good old custom and with heartiness and sincerity once more wish our readers i “A Happy and Prosperous New Year.”