Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1839-05-16
THE FIRST OF MAY.

celebration OF it was established by the
Romans in honor of Maia," the mother Of
Mercury, or Flora, the goddess of flowers.
The feasts or sports instituted on that day,
were termed Floralia. These were kept
in the month of April. Flora was real
parsonage, who, in consideration of her
munifcence 10 the Romans, was worship
ped as goddess. The Senate ordered
her birthday TO be commemorated with
plays, and offered sacrifices to her, that
she might bless the hopeful increase "t
flowers and fruits. Flora was painted III
aman,le of various colors, with beautiful
garland of flowers on her head, and bear
ing in her hand the horn of plenty. The
Romans also called her Chloris, from
Chloros, Greek word signityinS uerdant.
They declared that she was united i'll mar
riage to the Wind Zephyrus, from whom,
by way Of dowry, she received dominion
over the flowers, and therefore she must
be honored with sports and plays, pertor-
E1ed in worship of her, before the fruits OF
the earth would prosper. Hence some
writers suppose that the dancing and gath
eripg of flowers, formerly general Gus
tom in England on May-day. had its orl-
gin. This custom still exists i'll some Sec
tions of England, especially IN Cornwall.
The inhabitants of that part of The hing
dom, annually hail The return OF May with
songs and dances. They devote the first
day, from early dawn ill midnight, to joy
full songs, the rustic dance, aud the gather
ing of the most fragrant flowers. On'hat
day the enamoured youth presents the
bouquet as token of his devotion TO his
mistress, who receives it with smiles, aud
proudly wears it on her bosom. Happy
is the swain who is thus fortunate i'll gain
the love of the rural maid! The vigorous
youths, who delight in boisterous merr-
ment, plant in the earth,a May-pole deck
ed with flowers, and dance around it with
glad shouts aud songs. The ceremonies
employed on the first of May, have under
gone considerable change in the United
States. In Georgia and South Carolina,
they have assumed somewhat OF The dra-
sna,ic form. Many places have forms pc
culiar 10 themselves, although bearing
general resemblance. The characters are
much diversified in different towns and
villages. In the celebration at some pla.
ces, numerous characters arc introduced.
but in others they are comparatively few.
They are nearly all emblamatical. The
management Of this ceremony admits OF
much simplicity, or tasteful display.
The Celebration.
The first of May was celebrated at this
place with tho usual animation and beau
eiful display. AT at early hour in the eve
ming Of the day, the pupils of The Female
Institution repaired TO the flower garden
of Mrs. Bacon, in the vicinity of the Acad-
envy. At this genial season the garden
looked,
"a wilderness Of sweets"
At spot remarkable for its beauty and
suitableness, throne, hedecked with the
flowers of the season, was erected. Nu-
merous evergreens, and branches of vaii-
Gus other trees were arranged around the
throne, and also formed canopy above.
Flowers of variety Of dyes were inter-
mingled. giving forth their delightful fra
GRANGE. AT The foot of the throne, and ex-
tending 10 the earth, rich carpet was
spread for the Queen and her Court.
Shortly after suu-set the ceremonies
commenced. The order was as follows:
First came the Herald bearing highly
ornamented May-pole, from The summit OF
which streamer of ribbons foated in the
wind. She announced, in brief address
TO the assembly, The approach of the
Queen. Next came two Floras, who
scattered roses on the earth, as they en-
tered the enclosure where the throne was
erected.
Now came on the Queen Of May, al
tended by her Prime Minister, her eight
Maids Of Honor, and the Four Seasons.
Next approached the whole company of
pupils of the Seminary, who arranged
themselves on seats 10 the right and left.
The Queen now ascended her throne of
evergreens, which was beautifully encir-
cled with flowers. The Prime Minister
stood near her, on the right, on the step of
the ihrnne mart of lha Mails nf uo