The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-05-03
lConmunicated]
NAY IESTIvAL AT 81. JosKPTs SCHOOL.

Communicated
NAY IESTIvAL AT 81. J0GKPTs SCHOOL
Earth presents no lovelier sight than
youth and innocent beauty rejoicing in the
enjoyment of their May day festivals and
holiday. So thought an old wayfarer on
the roads of life, as he viewed from a
corner Of Common street, the long process
siop Of the little girls and fair young ladies
of St. Joseph's school ON last May-day. The
occasion was the browning or the offering
a little tribute Of praise to our great Hea-
venly Queen, through q representative
earthly queen. Miss j. Hanley was the
happy queen elect, and all her school mates,
decked in their beautiful, snow-white
dresses, with gay blue ribbons and dowery
coronets, proceeded to her residence and
escorted her in right regal style to st. Jo-
seph's Hall, corner of Derbigny and Com
mon streets. Here the ceremony of corona
ton was to take place. Entering with the
crowd, found the hall spacious and de-
lightfully cool and pleasant. The young
ing the throne of their queen of May. In
the front was seated the Right Rev. Bishop
Dubuis, of Galveston, who was so kind as
to add to the pleasure Of the occasion by
his presence. By his side were the Rev.
Pastor and clergy of ST. Joseph's Church /;
while a large number of fond parents and
invited guests composed the audience. A
Lady whose name has escaped me, presided
at the piano, and Welcomed the guests By q
lively entrance march. Then followed the
opening address, by Miss,A. M. Carroll. In
gentle tones and pleasing language, the
lovely little girl extended cordial vel
come to the audience, mentioned the object
of the entertainment, expressed her love for
the great Queen of Heaven, and then re-
tired amid the applause of her delighted
hearers. ~
At the close of the address hymn of
praise to the Holy Mother of God was
chanted, in which all the crowned heads"
big and little, joined in with a hearty good
will. We admired much the regularity and
fidelity with which all accompanied the rich,
melodious voice 6 one who seemed to be the
leader of the musical band. -
The coronation of the queen elect now
took place, accompanied by an address to
her, which was read by Miss A. Markey,
and followed by the presentation of a
sceptre through the graceful medium Of
Miss NJ. Donaldson. TIE queen herself,
Miss ]. Hanley, then rose and read her in
augural address to her new subjects. After
the performance of some agreeable music,
another address to the queen was read by
Miss B. Eagan, and this was followed by q
sweet song, entitled " Mother Dear"
kind of allegOry was then attractively
rendered by Misses Hanley and X. Heaphy,
the former in the character of Supsmer
Queen, the latter as King Frost. The first
part of this performance terminated in
temporary triumph OF the frosty monarch
but after a truce of some moments, during
which another interfude of sweet music
came in to rest and revive the contestants,
their conflict was renewed, and ended with
the complete triumph of the radiant queen.
The larger girls having now gotten
through their programme, gave way to the
smaller ones, who re-enacted the same
scenes to some extent, little Miss Ellen Hart
being the queen. She Was addressed and
crowned by Miss M. Donovan, and presented
with the sceptre by Miss NJ. Cahill, to all of
which she replied in appropriate language.
After another song, Goodbye" the hall
was vacated by the eager throng, who took
up their line of march for Canal street,
| where number of cars were ready to con-
vey them to the terminus of the road at the
halfway house.
| How they then bestowed themselves un-
der the live-Oaks and among the umbra-
geous retreats of the Metairie Ridge, the
quantity of nice comestibles there disposed
of, the pranks played, the immense fun en-
joyed, and the gratiied dignity with which
they brought home their empty baskets
toward the dusk of the evening-all these
were beyond the personal ken of your
correspondent, who had other fish to fry.
The history thereof, however, is by this
time well known throughout St. Joseph's
parish, and will not be suffered to fade from
the records of its memory for many day
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