Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-05-18

IJlIcn IlitC ,.lsuse, buu s,iiI celebrated WIZ
considerable spirit. 1t was formerly essen
tally festival of the sweeps, but is, | be-
lieve, now INDUCED in by ''dustmen"-as the
number Of sweeps has SO diminished since
the introduction Of chimney by ma
chinery, and the prohibition by parliament of
employing small boys to do the dangerous
work, by descending the chimney with broom
in hand. The reason given for the rejoicings
in London on the lst Of May, though some
what mythical is as follows: Lady Montague
of Montague House had been robbed of her
beloved Child and one fine lst OF May she is
said to have recognized her sons voice while
singing as little chimney sweep, on the top
OF her chimney. In cOmmemOration of the
recovery of her child, as a sweep, on May
day, annual rejoicings, according to arrange
ments made by Lady Montague, were to take
place on that day, by the sooty fraternity :;
and these rejoicings are still INDUCED in on
each return Of the day. The "sooty sweeps"
and ''flowery dustmen' form in squads of five
orSiX each one of whom, "Jack in the Green"
is transformed into lofty pyramid Of flowers
and evergreen; and around him the others,
dressed in ancient and grotesque costume,
htiiNG " lllG iluNlC VI L ulCl anu Juu1 SIlON ;
and sing in comical accents the ancient cho-
rus of ''IIey Derry Down" The coppers
collected in this manner-for people are ex-
pected to contribute their mltes-too often
find their way into the hands of the publican,
for the poor sweeps are apt to end their re-
joicings by getting thoroughly "drunk and
incapable" Apart from this limited celebra-
ton OF May day by the sweeps. you will see
no signs of festivity, at the present day, in
London, though i'll the country many of the
ancient customs, which have been celebrated
in song by many of England's brave old poets,
are still continued. We needed not this year
to hear the "Hey Derry Down chorus, to
remind us that summer was at hand. Nearly
month ngo, the parks and groves began to
assume the yerdant garb of summer. Of
which, indeed, the grassy lawns have not been
deprived during the whole Of the past winter.
The season has been a remarkable one. Not
flake of snow has been seen, and if any ice
has been formed. It has disappeared too early
in the morning to come pnder my ohservation
April has been like our Mays OF former years,
except the last few days, during which we
have had a treat to cold, rain, wind, and hail
The LIST of May has brought clear skies and a
milder atmosphere, but too cold for the sea-
son. We shall do very well, if we can have
a little warm rain, which will prove a great
'boon" to the farmers.
Her majesty's little granddaughter, the
daughter Of Princess Alice [PfncesS Louis
of Hesse), though not yet mohth OF age
christened with the name OF victoria ALBERTA
Elizabeth Matilda Mary, has already assumed
a position of so much Importance that hcr
movements hare been the subject ofannounce~
ment in the public journals: '"The queen,
Prince and Princess LOUIS Of Hesse, Princess
Victoria of Hesse, Sc, left Windsor Castle
for Osborne at half-past two this after
noon y While on the subject of the court,
7 will mention pretty little incident,
which is one of the on dts of the day. The
vouno Princess of Wales has been so well
brought up by her excellent parents that she
can turn her hand to almost anything; and
not onl. this, but she delights in usefully en-
ploy;ig all her time. Oae day she advised
her loyal English mother to permit her to re-
ornament and re-arrdnge bonnet OF which
size seemed very fond. Royal permission OBJ
tanned, the nimble fingers Of the young prin-
cess were not long in divesting it of nearly
every appearance of sadness and grief, end
remodelling it most tastetully in style more
appropriate to the joyous festivities of the
royal wedding. The royal mother, though
still heart broken at the loss of her late be-
reaved husband, with gracious smile took
the hint and has now discarded her usual ha-
bilaments of mourning, which, according to
custom, she should have laid aside some time
ago. The queen loved her husband most
fondly. OF this there can be no doubt. She
still evinces her affection in the most striking
manner. In the recently erected mausoleum
of the late prince in the grounds of Windsor
Castle the queen has had constructed minia-
ture chapel which is heated every morning
by gas, and whittier she daily retires to COM
a1,itI barN IoLo +ba IoO
place Of him she loves. 1t is said, though, of
course not on the best authority, that her ma
MIA of grief so controls her that every morn
ing she has her late husbands clothes taken
to his dressing room and brushed; his shaw
ing apparatus and hot water placed on ns
dresser; and his plate arranged on the break
fast table in the same manner as when he was
alive. Royal love is so scarce that we may
fairly pay tribute to it when we meet it.
'England expects every man to do his du-
ty," and she furthermore expects by literally
providing for those who in carrying out this
maxim, become disabled by sickness, acct
dent or old age. Not only do her numerous
private charities testify to this fact, but her
many public institutions bear witness to il
| cannot now present statistics of the number
of asylumS in this country for invalid pension
ers from the army and navy, but will give you
briefly some items in reference to the rova]
hospital for seamen, at Greenwich, the Oldest
and most widely celebrated Of them which |
had the pleasure OF visiting few days since,
This beautiful fabric is situated on the right
bank of the Thames, going from London, and
about eight miles distant, on the site of the old
palace of observation-disclosures as the birth
place of Henry VIII, Edward VI, queen
Mary and queen Elizabeth. In fact one OF
the buildings OF the present majestic pile was
raised for royal residence above the ruins OF
the ancient palace, on the restoration OF
Charles IL. liking Charles building was
commenced in 1867, but not finished till 1854
when it was completed as a residence fol
worn out and wounded seamen. Thus the
elegant structure which was to have been the
scene of the festive gaieties of debauched roy
atty, became the residence of the humble and
unassumng sailor The Increasing wants and
numbers of this class Of highlands dutifu
subjects soon required the erection of Other
buildings. Accordingly in 1898, King viii
liam's building was commenced, as well as
Queen Anne's building; and in 1899 the
foundation of Queen Mary's building was lait
the latter however, not being completed
until 1852. This is a brief history of thu
foundation and progress of Greenwich hospi
tai. To give you an idea of the beauty of thu
buildings would not be within the province o