New Year's levee


A New Year's levée is a social event on New Year's Day hosted by the Governor General of Canada, the lieutenant governors, military establishments, municipalities, and other institutions.

History

The word levee originated in the levée du soleil
of King Louis XIV. It was his custom to receive
his male subjects in his bedchamber just after arising, a practice
that subsequently spread throughout Europe.
In the 18th century the levee in Great Britain and Ireland became a
formal court reception given by the sovereign or his/her
representative in the forenoon or early afternoon. In the New World
colonies the levee was held by the governor acting on behalf of the
monarch. Only men were received at these events. Women were presented in the evening at court.
It was in Canada that the levee became associated with New Year's
Day. The fur traders had the tradition of paying their respects to
the master of the fort on New
Year's Day. This custom was adopted by the governor general and
lieutenant governors for their levees.
The first recorded levee in Canada was held on January 1, 1646, in
the Chateau St. Louis by Charles Huault de Montmagny, Governor of
New France from 1636 to 1648. In addition to wishing
a happy new year to the citizens the governor informed guests of
significant events in France as well as the state of affairs within
the colony. In turn, the settlers were expected to renew their pledges
of allegiance to the Crown.
The levee tradition was continued by British colonial governors in
Canada and subsequently by both the governor general and
lieutenant governors. It continues to the present day.
As mentioned, the levee was historically a male preserve but during
World War II levees were attended by female officers of the
armed forces. Since then levees have been
open to both women and men.

Present day

Over the years, New Year's levees have become almost solely a Canadian observance, although kinds of levees still exist in other countries.
Today, levees are the receptions held by the governor-general, the lieutenant governors of the provinces, the military and others, to mark the start of another year and to provide an opportunity for the public to pay their respects.
Most levees may be attended by any citizen, including children.
Attending the lieutenant governor's levee is an annual ritual for some families.
Today the levee has evolved from the earlier, more boisterous party into a more sedate and informal one. It is an occasion to call upon representatives of the monarch, military and municipal governments and to exchange New Year's greetings and best wishes for the new year, to renew old acquaintances and to meet new friends. It is also an opportunity to reflect upon the events of the past year and to welcome the opportunities of the New Year.
The province of Prince Edward Island maintains a more historical approach to celebrating levee day. On New Year's Day, all Legions and bars are opened and offer moose milk from the early morning until the late night. Though there are still the formal receptions held at Government House and Province House, levee day is not only a formal event. It is something that attracts a large number of Islanders, which is quite unusual in comparison to the other provinces where it has gradually become more subdued. Prince Edward Island levees begin at 8 a.m.
The historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake holds a levee complete with firing of a cannon at Navy Hall The levee is well attended by townspeople and visitors. Toasts are made to the Queen, "our beloved Canada", the Canadian Armed Forces, veterans, "our fallen comrades", as well as "our American friends and neighbors". Greetings are brought from all levels of government and it is a great community event.
Some religious leaders, such as the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Ontario, hold a levee on New Year's Day.

Refreshments

As has the levee itself, refreshments served at levees have undergone changes over the years.
In colonial times, when the formalities of the levee had been completed, guests were treated to wine and cheeses from the homeland. Wines did not travel well during the long ocean voyage to Canada. To make the cloudy and somewhat sour wine more palatable it was heated with alcohol and spices. The concoction came to be known as le sang du caribou.
Under British colonial rule, the wine in le sang du caribou was replaced with whisky. This was then mixed with goat's milk and flavoured with nutmeg and cinnamon to produce an Anglicized version called "Moose Milk". Today's versions of Moose Milk, in addition to whiskey and spices may use a combination of eggnog and ice cream, as well as other alcoholic supplements. The exact recipes used by specific groups may be jealously guarded secrets.
q.v. External links.
Refreshments were clearly an important element in the New Year's festivities. A report of the New Year's levee held in Brandon House in Manitoba in 1797 indicated that "... in the morning the Canadians make the House and Yard ring with saluting. The House then filled with them when they all got a dram each." Simpson's Athabasca Journal reports that on January 1, 1821, "'' the Festivities of the New Year commenced at four o'clock this morning when the people honored me with a salute of firearms, and in half an hour afterward the whole Inmates of our Garrison assembled in the hall dressed out in their best clothes, and were regaled in a suitable manner with a few flagon's Rum and some Cakes. A full allowance of Buffaloe meat was served out to them and a pint of spirits for each man; the Women were also entertained to the utmost of our ability.'"
When residents called upon the governor to pay their respects they expected a party. In 1856 on Vancouver Island, there was "an almighty row" when the colonial governor's level was not to the attendees' liking.

Municipalities with levees


The levée has a long tradition in the Canadian Forces as one of the activities associated with New Year's Day. Military commanders garrisoned throughout Canada held local levées since, as commissioned officers, they were expected to act on behalf of the Crown on such occasions.
On Vancouver Island, levées began in the 1840s.
Today, members of the various Canadian Forces units and headquarters
across Canada receive and greet visiting military and civilian guests
on the first day of the new year.
In military messes, refreshments take a variety of forms: moose milk
; the special flaming punch
of the Royal Canadian Hussars of Montreal; the Atholl Brose
of the Seaforth Highlanders of Vancouver; "Little Black Devils", of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. Members of Le Régiment de Hull use sabres to uncork bottles of champagne.

Fictional references

In literary fiction, levées form an important background to plot
development in Neal Stephenson's Baroque Cycle trilogy.