Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-17
The May-Queen Party.

Az all readers of English history know,
the Romans came to live in Britain many
hundreds of years ago. and when they
came they brought with them this festi-
val. which proved quite as popular on
English soil as It ever had been I'm Italy.
But the Romans were heather, and the
good priest Gregory tried TO Christianize
them. Finding them so much Interested
I'm their games and festivals, he used
these as one means to convert them, and
therefore the heather feast "Floralia' be-
came the Christian "May-Day celebra-
ton" And IL has been commemorated In
almost every country under the sun. as
well as by all classes and conditions OF
people-lorls. ladies. kings, and queens,
those in the middle ranks of life. and also
the peasants, and. coming over into our
own country, around the May-pole and
under the blossom branches the poor as
well as the rich dance merrily.
For this reason May-queen party Is
conducted in variety of ways. Very
simply, YOU may say: 81 am arranging
for a Maying party; will you come? |
shall be so glad to have you" And with
out further form than the above invita-
ton. only mentioning the time. place
OF meeting. luncheon. etc. everything for
a days outdoor frolic Is adjusted.
But the correct fashion Is vastly diff
ferent. The invitation Is of the same
character as that given for any other
party. The paper on which the invitation
is engraved should be decorated. The de-
coration should be suggestive of the occa-
slon--a trimmed May-pole. a throne for
the queen. or the queen herself. Also. in
the ieft-hand corner OF the invitation.
tr.tA H.. 49, - snff H..
riages will start. They start from the
hour Is ~ o'clock, and the guests should
be there ten minutes earlier.
During the Middle Ages 1t was GUS
tomary TO go very early IN the morning
of May 1st, and wash your face In
beauty dew" and bring back hawthorn
branches called May-bloom; and later
these same people would erect bower
for the fairest maid OF the village. and
after browning her their queen. she would
SIT In this bower TO receive homage and
admiration. But in this nineteenth CEN
fury few Of us are as early risers as those
in the olden time. Chaucer wrote, For
May vol have no slogarde a-night," but
he would not have written those words
had he been living now. We will, then,
try to think our boys and girls are wiser
for waiting Tor the dew 10 dry IRON tHe
grass and flowers. notwithstanding the
promised beauty for In SO doing they
save themselves from sore threats and
colds of one and another character, which
In our climate would be the direct result
of wet feet and damp clothing.
All Maying parties should be In charge
of a chaperone not only for Madam
Grundy's sake, who would do a great
deal OF talking, but because there Is then
some one older than yourself to consult
with In case Of need as also some one
To superintend those who would arrange
the refreshment table. And this party
must
fall upon a day
In the merry month Of May
everybody should wear holiday attire, as,
In the day when We went gypsylng,
A long time ago,
The lads and lassies In their best
Were dressed from top to toe.
In France this day was dedicated to
the Virgin, and the most popular girl was
called the Lady OF the May" She was
always crowned and adorned with now
ers and sat In state on a miniature throne
made OF flowers and branches, while her
maids OF honor begged for money from
all who passed that way. to be spent
on the religious feast held later.