The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-05-01

MAY-DAY.-Owing to the fragments of winter
lingering in the month of March, and the tickle
ness of April. we do not fully realize that we are in
tho spring until we are two. thirds out of it, Bat
May day has now come, I" the time Of the young
flower and leaf, and Of all the promise which Au
gust ful6ls." The smiling face of the young es-
pecially give evidence of tho truth, although the
Romans dedicated this month to the elder persons
Of their community. believing that it was unlucky
to marry in May. Such superstition. we all
know, does not prevail in this community, as the
license book at the court house will show.
May-day has been celebrated as popular festi.
val from time immemorial; but of late years, we
told in the old countries there s less of general
holiday and merry making than in the former
times, which is to be attributed, perhaps, to the
unitarian spirit of the age, and departure from
the pristine innocency of very long line of our
predecessors.
In our own country May festivals the gathering
Of howcrs 'all in the morning CARLY. pleasure par
ties, military parades, (and in New York a change
Of dtOsllims occspancy,) constitute mainly, if not
entirely, the modes of celebrating the day.
The dew of the morning of the first of May was
formerly considered AZ cosmetic Of the highest
efficacy, and women. especially the young ones,
(who, it il said, unwilling to improve in
this respect) used TO go abroad before sunrise to
gather it! We were never acquainted with ladies
who had tested this alleged beauti6er, although in
our younger days we have accompanied towering
parties, and have seen many cheek improved by
the pure air in the Capitol grounds (and clsewhcre)
early in the morning, where the eye may rest on
| natures greensward and choicest flowers; the ear
be delighted with the music Of the birds, and if it
were not gross in this connection, we might say the
appetite for breakfast sharpened.
~
Colonel George w. Hughes-the former suing for
damages for assault and battery alleged to have
been committed upon him in Jalapa during the
war with Mexico-was continued yesterday. The
| question raised on Friday as to the admissible
ty Of evidence proposed by the counsel for the de-
fendant, to show the infamous offence for which the
plaintiff punished by order of Colonel Hughes,
who was at that time acting az civil and military
governor of the department of Jalapa, was further
discussed by Maj Kenly the part of the defend
ant. The question of martial law, and how far the
power of the commander of a department il un-
limited, or governed by orders issued by the COM
mander- in chief, has occasioned sharp encounter
| between the legal gentlemen engaged in this
cause; and the contest is not yet ended.
MArnrMoNy.-Forty-s six marriage licenses were
granted during April in this county-an increase
| of fifteen over those for the month previous.
| -
FuNrRAL.-The remains OF George Jacob were
convcyed 70 INC sr"se yos'e.uay ~
lowed among otners oy TWO UerHian ocnosoien'
Societies. with banners trimmed win mourning
ana accompanies ny . nno oano VI 'nus''
THs MEDICAL Socrrry of the District of Colum-
ba have elected the following delegates to the
! National Medical Association which meets al
| Charleston. S. c.. during this month. namely: c.
BOYLE, M. Dit Bohrer, M. D.;J C. Hall, M.
D.; H. LindsIy, M. D.; and S. C. Smoot, M d.
WAsH,xoros NArorAr Mosumrsr.-The fol.
lowing are IN. contributions received At the Office
| in this citv during the month of ApriI. namely