The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-05-09
May-Day Customs.

Though Mny-pole and Morris dancing
was the most common. there were other
curious customs ia different parts Of
Great Britain. In one place, tho Mayors
went out very early to tho woods aud
gathering green boughs. decorated every
door with one. house containing "a
sweetheart had branch nf birch, the
door uf Hcold was diagnced with alder.
aud II slatternly person had the NORTH
cation 10 find branch of nut tree At
hers, while tho young people who over
slept found their doors closed 10y nail
over the latch.
In the Scottish Highlands, in the cigh-
toonth century, the boys had curious
custom. They would go 10 the moors
outside of the town, make "A round table
in tho sod, by cutting trench around
it, doop enough for them to sit down b.
their grassy table. On this table they
would kindle "a fire aud cook custard Of
eggs ami milk, knoad and cake of oat-
meal, which WAS toasted hy the fire.
After eating the cuntard, the cake WAS
cut INTO ar many parts a6 thNro were
boys; one piece was made black with
coal, and then ali put into "a cap. Each
boy was IN turn blindfolded, and made
10 take piece, and the one who selected
the black one was 20 be sacrificed 81
Baal, whose favor they wished 10 ask for
their harvest The victim IN that day
had only 10 lean through the fire; but
there IN little doubt that the whole thing
WAS a survival from the days when hu-
man beings were really sacrificed
In the island Of Lewis, in the west Of
Scotland, there prevails custom Of
sending man very early on May-day 10
cross a certain river, believing that II a
woman crossed IL first the salmon would
not come into the stream for "A year.
The Dutch May-pole was still differ
ent, being surrounded by trees stuck
into flower pots, and ornamented with
gay-colorcd tings, and hoops with gar.
lands and gilt balls hanging. Another
sort had wooden dolls made Ia represent
the figures Of peasants, nailed against
the pole by their hands and knees, AS
though climbing II. There were also
figures of birds and people. In some
parts of Germany Il was the firm belief
Of the common people that certain i'll
disposed beings met on u high mountain
ON May day 10 dance and feast, with no
good intentions 10 their human neigh
burs. Accordingly ON the day before,
every family was careful to have thorn
Of certain kind, which WAS stuck into
the door as a protection.
The Scandinayians, whose first Of May
is not very balmy, had of old n curious
fight between summer and winter. Win
ter-or the man representing him-was
4 nV, a. e.. u.
and threw snow-balls and pieces Of ice.
Summer was dressed in green leaves and
summer dress They had a mock fight
which was called " Driving away Winter
and welcoming Summer, and in the Isle
of Man, where Norwegiaas had rule for
many years, this custom fingered until
very lately.
But as the years went on these merry
games died out, and few years ago
May day was in London simply the
festival Of ehimney-sweeps and milk
maids, certainly falling of from the
times Of King Henry VIII. The only
traces Of going a- Maying were the gar
lands Of the milkmaids and the Jack-in-
the-gr Of the sweeps. The garland
50 calledl was made Of silyerplAte,
borrowed Tor the day, and fastened upon
n sort Of pyramid. Accompanying this
droll garland were the maids themselves
In gay dress, with ribbons and flowers,
and attended by musicians who played
for them to dance IN the street. Some
times COW was dressed in festive array,
with bouquets and ribbons on her horns,
neck and tail, and over her back net
stuck iull of flowers. Thus highly ornA-
men.cd the meek creature was led
through the streets.
The sweeps brought out the Jack-in-
the-grccn, which was n tall cone made
oi green boughs, decorated with flowers,
gay streamers and flag. and carried by
a man inside. Each of these structures
WAS followed by a band Of sweeps who
assumed certain characters, the fashion
Of which had been handed down from
the palmy times of MAy-day.
There were always a lord and lady
who wore ridiculous limitations Of fash
iouablc dress, and made ludicrons at
tempts 10 initiate elegant manners. Mad
Moll and her husband were another pair
who fourishei in tawdry. gay-colorci
rags and tAtterg, he hrandishing n
sweeps broom and she n Adle. jim
Grow and fancifully beiizened ballet
dancer in white muslin often swelled
the ranks, and the rest Of the party
rigged out in a profusion Of gilt paper,
flowers, tinsel and gewgaws, their faces
and legs covered with brick-dust made
up a comical crowd. But even these
mild remains Of the great festival are
almost entirely banished TO the rural
districts, and are almost extinct there. -
81. Nicholas.