St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1859-05-05
May Day.

may Duy'
May-day the present year came on
Sunday, but we are pleased to know
that, in this vicinity at least, the sane
tity of the Sabbath was not violated
by its celebration. A sweet tradition
of oldcn time is that which sets apart
the first day Of May as sacred to the
floral goddess, and which prcscribcs
an Offering of the first flowers and
fruits Of the new year as the most
suitable and sacred tribute to the
shrine of that divinity, but its vota-
les had much better defer their floral
exercises than profanc the Lords day.
Tncrc Is Uuu ritvro ue"s~. - a,.;.. -..-
apprchcnd, as May-day celebrations
in this country have to a great extent
fallen into disreputc, owing mainly to
the stern and proscriptive teachings
of the Puritans,
Many young people have heard OF
May-day, and doubtless have wonder
cd what rendered the day different
from others Of the month. If customs
remained how as they were ill former
times. few would have need to ask
what is meant by May.day ccicbra-
tions or festivals.
Few who live at this at this age OF
the world, and in this country, have
ever witnessed the ceremonies that
once marked this day with such pc
cuIiar interest among the children OF
England. 1t was the custom among
the girls and boys Of England to go
out "Maying" For this purpose they
rose very early in the morning, and
went to a ncighboring wood. They
were usually accompanied with musi-
cal instruments, such as the flute, fife,
and clarionot. On arriving at the
wood, they broke branches from the
trees and the shrubs bearing howers
With these and the wild-howers which
they could gather, they were accus
toned to adorn themselves with nose
gays and crowns Of flowcry wrcaths
After thus loading themselves will
boughs and flowers, they started home
ward, chccred by the music from thcil
little band, as it noatcd away on tht
morning brecZcs.
1t was usually about sunrise whcl
they arrived at home and their mex
movements were to deck in triumph
their houses. The doors and window
especially were adorned with thei
howery spoils. Usually May-pol'
was erected, and festooned with gar
lands and wreaths.
Around these May-poles the young
people assembled to dance and sing
The poles were usually erected on tn
village green, and it was customar.
there to select the most beautiful CIR
of the neighborhood and, decking he
with flowers, call her Queen of May
1t was q happy day for the little May
Queen. All seemed anxious to do hel
homage, as they marched around in
triumph.
May-day ushcrs in the month O
flowers, and is peculiarly interesting
from the beautiful green and gladstone
freshness in which Nature is enrolling
herself. Every thing seems at this
season to have recovered from the fri
gid effects Of winter and flowers
plants and trees are once more sprea'
ding forth their richest beauties, and
scattering delightful fragrance all
around.
The sweetest songs of birds, and
the richest perfumes Of flowers are
now borne ON the balmy brcezes. We
love this season of buds and blossoms
Who does not? At every returning
visit it reminds us of the May-day oi
life-that period which is termed child
hoods days--and in imagination we
return again to those happy scenes
when the world before us appeared
much like the month of May-bright
and beautiful, and seemingly strowu
all the way with flowers.