"Calling" in New York: A New Year's Day Tradition

Mrs. Pegu, and drawing-room, are all laid out in state to receive New Year's calls.  Thirty-two young gentlemen make a brief appearance at the door, and recite the following shibboleth:  "How d'ye do, Mrs. Pegu.  Happy New Year.  Can't stay a minute.  Made seventy-six calls this morning; got thirty more to make. Adoo! Adoo!" The young gentlemen vanish, to be succeeded by others. 

A (New Yorker's) Christmas Poem

1862 Illustration from Moore's "A Visit From Saint Nicholas"

On July 15, 1779,  Clement Clark Moore was born in New York City. He graduated from Columbia University in 1798 and went on to enjoy a successful career as a professor. But he is perhaps best known and remembered as the author of "A Visit from Saint Nicholas," commonly known as "'Twas the Night Before Christmas."

Moore was born and lived in the family home known as the "Chelsea House" at roughly 420 W. 23rd Street (the house later giving the name to the NYC neighborhood).