It is New Year"s Eve. As the hands of the clock move towards midnight, the old year is slowly dying; in a few minutes the New Year will be born. It is a time for looking back and looking forward. We look back over all that has happened during the past year. We look forward to the New Year that is just beginning and hope that it will bring health and happiness to all mankind (人类).In Scotland the last day of the year is the most important holiday of the winter, even more important than Christmas. On New Year"s Eve friends and neighbours go about from house to house drinking Scotland whisky, and wishing each other luck.In England and Wales New Year"s Day is not a holiday and people go to work as usual. But on New Year"s Eve most people sit up till after midnight "to see New Year in" and many go to parties and dances. Most of the big London hotels hold a New Year"s Eve dance, and most families will be going out to one of these parties.As the clock strikes midnight and dances shout, blow whistles (吹口哨) and make a great noise to welcome the New Year in. The New Year has begun.