Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-05-12
WHAT THE MONTH OF MAY ONCE WAS


byal classes and kinds day Ofmerriment and sport
Chaucer says, in his Court of Love-, early the
first of May 'foUrth goth al the Court, both most and
lest, to fetch the fOwris freshe and branche and
blome Stowe, moreover describes the May-da
sports in the times Of the 9TH Harry. They depar-
ted from Greenwich for Shooters HILL where they
were met by Robin Hood aud his archers bold (per-
sonated by 200 of the Kings guards, who, after
discharges Of arrows, invited the royal party to see
heir mode Of life. Accordingly, amid the blowing
Of horns the King, Queen and suite accompanied
them unto the wood under the hil where arbOr
ceiyed them formed of green bOughs and including
a hail, great chamber and inner chamber, the floors
being covered with flowers and sweet herbs. "Sir,"
says Robin Hood, eve outlaws usually break fast
upon venison, and have other food to offer You.
OF venison therefore and wine the visitors partOok
and departed. On their return they were met by
two ladies. representing Lady May and Lady Flora,
both richly apparelled riding in an open chariot
drawn by five horses, on each Of which sat a lady.
Then followed the browning of the Queen, and the
dances and so, as with US.
The Puritans saw something dreadful in May
poles. They did accord with their ascetie ideas
Of religion; hence the long Parliament in 1914 put
a veto upon them. But they were restored when
people began to put off their straight faces, a8d to
resume the innocent pastimes which the Restoration
sanctioned. Here let US say incidentally, we have
no sympathy with the religion which is morose-
which interlicts innocent amusement. The man
whs isN ed with that inspiration which comes from
cons Of Gods goodness, and mercy, and love,
Wi about among his fellows with a lugu-
IA to May Day in olden times. A Gu
observed on this day is recorded in the
Morning Post of May =, 1871, as follows:
g Yesterday being the lst Of May, according to
nual and superstitious CUSTOM a number of persons
went into the fields and bathed their faces with the
dew on the grass under the idea that it would
derthem beautiful" This is certainly the most pOet
cal Of cosmetics and taking into consideration the
circumstances under which 1t is applied, should
say, the most efteOtUal
In the Highlands of Scotland the berdsmen used
omeet in some spot in the open air. and dig square
trench the interior being left with turf untouched.
On this turf they built fire, and, after preparing
candle made Of eggs, butter, oatmeal andmilk they
observed certain singular rites. Cakes Of oatmeal
were then made, and being cOnsecrated by certain
ceremonies, were considered protection to cattle
and f0cks. Each person, with his face turned to
the fire, broke off piece of the charmed cake, and,
fnIng it over his shoulder, said, This l
give thee" naming some benign influence preserve
my horses; Or ''Ihis give thee, o! Fox, spare my
lambs" The party then drank the candle and the
affair terminated. Other observances were often
had in Scotland, Wales; Ireland, and England, and
nearly al date far back into Pagan times. writer
says. In a book called "A Survey of Ireland" he
finds traces Of idoatry. The first Of May in the
Irish language is denOminated La Beal time, that,
is, the day Of Beals hre. Apollo was sometimes
called Belinus. The gods of Tyre were called Beal
the Scriptural alluson viii recur to every one In
Munster and Connaught the Peasantry have been
seen to drive their cattle through the fire, hoping
thereby TO preserve them from diseases the ensuing
year. The ceremony is derived from the Druids, by
whom, says General Yallency, it was regularly OBJ
served. Near HOrncastle in Lincolnshire, there is
a hill called Nlaypole Hill, where formerly DR..
Sukely thought a HeTmes must have stood. The
boys from HOrncastle, he says annually keep the
festival of the Floralla on May-day making pro-
cession to this hill, each with a May-gOd. This
is a white willow wand, the bark peeled of, and
tied round with cowslips, tFyrSus Of the bacchaRals2
At night they have bonfire and other merriment,
really in its origin a sacrifice religious festival
Some Of the May-day ceremonies and Observances
have been supposed to originate in the whorship
paid to Alaia The mother of Mercury. At Cam
bridge custom was noticed in 1902 of children hav
ing figure dressed in grotesque manner, called
May Lady, before which was placed wine and
meats-PhH. NsrS.