midnight
said the New Year ; and she gave the watchman one of the roses of hope from her basket . `` May this flower keep a sweet smell , long after I have bidden you good by . '' Then she stepped on more briskly through the silent streets ; and such as were awake at the moment , heard her footfall , and said , `` The New Year is come ! '' Wherever there was a knot of midnight roisterers , they quaffed her health . She sighed , however , to perceive that the air was tainted -- as the atmosphere of this world must continually be -- with the dying breaths of mortals who had lingered just long enough for her to bury them . But there were millions left alive , to rejoice at her coming ; and so she pursued her way with confidence , strewing emblematic flowers on the doorstep of almost every dwelling , which some persons will gather up and wear in their bosoms , and others will trample under foot . The Carrier Boy can only say further , that , early this morning , she filled his basket with New Year 's Addresses , assuring him that the whole City , with our new Mayor , and the Aldermen and Common Council at its head , would make a general rush to secure copies .