The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-26
FLOWERSFOR QUEENS BOWER
Ia White The Summer SOYsreisns Gay
LEAD The Procession 10 Floral Thrones.
ORDER OF THE SPRING CORONA7IONS.
On Saturday in Mays the Swinging Poles
Approach in All INSTRUMENTATION
May Party spring Festival I'm
cquailod Eycn Ina England,
where 1t Began.


would Ike TO claim the May party for its
own. From time unnamabe the Park
Commissioners have donated the public
sward TO the use OF the May folk. and
ever since grayhaired men were children
the May parties have travelled up TO tho
park early every Saturday morning, dur
lng the montn OF flowers. armed with a
permit that allows them 10 trcspass upon
aH the haL out-strctching green grass In
sight
THOUSANDS or PARTIES.
This annual privilege lies in the hands
OF the Park Commissioners TO extend or
withhold as they see IT. As the hosts
of Central Park, they can issue permits
90 few parties. or can allow the sward
90 Dee crowded. They can limit the num-
Der OF May parties 90 "a sufficient NUM-
her 20 dot the green grass comfortably
and prctuly. or they can crowd II 50 fun
that quarrel and dispute take tho place
o. song and dance. There are enough who
wish to 80 a-Mayng 10 pack Central
Park from entrance 10 entrance. miles
apart though they be. all the five Satur-
days of May. 1876
The May party came from England IA
OH kniCseruockcr days. The United
States then was either Puritan or Knick-
ernocker. according 10 section, and all VINO
lived far or wide boosted OF being either
one or the other. each claiming great
superiority on account of descent.
IL the region OF the knickerbockers the
world e0t the sun soonest and tho grass
got green earliest. IL was only trick of
Tide and wave. Gulf stream and wind.
bat Che flowers bloomed first for the lit
tie hnickerbockcrs just the same.
therefore as sports were scarcer in
those carly days. the Knickerbockers
male 90 play Of gathering the FIRST wild
fNuH.Hra "a d.
taMisned the May party as securely as
plymouth rock was anchored. But they
ola not keep tho privilege alone long.
Boston Common and Boston parks found
they could grow flowers also. and the
luxurious cities a little further south
caught on TO the Mayflower idea ana
added 90 10 new beauties from ENGLAND
Thus the May party spread. and now
II stretches across the entire country,
ending only al the Pacific Coast. where
state Of i0calism as 20 climate makes
the MAY party DUH only because it can
have the May party every day In the
year with plenty Of flowers and sun.
Now the American May party exceeds
In beauty anything known IN the out
door world.
So wildly does the May party rage I'm
Central Park that on the first Saturday
in May the park IS crowded with car
riages and equestrians. Beginning as
early as noon. the carriages keep coming
and the bride paths keep filled with
slowly riding men and women They
want 10 take In the sights Of the first
holiday I'm May.
From o'clock I'm the morning the
May parties begin 10 arrive. These ap-
proach the park I'm long procession. walk
ing two abreast all carrying baskest in
one arm and flowers I'm the other. Ahead
marches a queen dressed in white with
flowing veil, and with pages carrying her
luncheon and train. The king in golden
crown walks by her side or. like the
Gar. steps ahead Of his empress, and
leads the May procession.
For a month before the May parties
begin there is stir in the society Of the
schools. May parties are forming, teach
ers are being enlisted TO escort them 10
the park. menus are being planned and
the programme IS being made out for the
May party. Never is this festh gather
Ing an imprompu one and not even the
coronation OF tine Car has been rehearsed
Oftcner.
The May party that Is best liked by
the Board of Education is an instructing
one AMI a. this is the most interesting
party that can be planned, most OF the
Maying parties are conducted on this
scheme. IL IS rather expensive though,
and for that reason ~ deters many whose
parents hllUMkM MlllIEs fdulS hMOiA
the costumes Of other days. IL = all
they can do TO follow the fashions OF &c.
For the instructive May party period
OF long agO is selected. That Of the
Court OF Marie Antoinette is specially
liked. though for what reason Is not
known. unless II be that the Queen was
very beautiful woman, and young peo-
pie have an instructive taste for the
lovely.
s~b- c,toor, Of tho W rfy wears a head
dress OF tulle and a white gown as long
as can be managed. over which the head
dress falls making a robe like a COM
muni0n dress This is made more earth
ly than a communion robe by sewing
daisy chains upon IL, and by GROWING
the queen with flowers that fsll in links
10 her feet on an sides
Louis. Marie AntOinette's King, wears
a crown cut out Of pasteboard and COW
cred with gold. His pages wear velvet
knee breeches. His body attendants are
a jester. with bells sewed upon his legs |
and arms, and "a prime minister In long |
robes. This parsonage Is supposed TO be |
his spiritual adviser and the man OF Dig |
nifty OF the court. a buglcr walks ahead |
OF him or tramps upon the kings heels.
The queen IS attended by her ladies'
and a cupid In white with wings OF gold, |
who is supposed TO shoot arrows into !
the impressionable queenly heart.
Behind walk the court and subjects, as |
many OF the latter being invited as the |
luncheon will embrace All dress In
white. or in selected cOlors.
The sight as the white professions
wend their way through the streets 10
the park, is a beautiful one. Passersby |
stop 20 watch the procession out OF sight
and windows are filled with people ON
the lookout FOR passing May parties.
ARISTOCRAT1C PARTIES.
10 is not only the children oflthose who
have no lawns OF their own who go a
Niaying I'm the park. The little ones OF
wealth are delighted 10 get into the
green acres and scamper around. They
are the first 90 raise the May-pole. which,
al wound with ribbons. IS part OF every
May party. and though they may not
he allowed 20 parade the streets. they
are let out Of the carriages at the en-
trance OF the park. and through the
winding parks they. too. enjoy the felic-
ity of the May parade
Around every fine park there are hand
some houses, commanding great rentals
on account Of the situation with the
park opposite and pure, sweet air com
ing in tho windows. In these luxurious
homes opposite Central Park live the
children who Ike best Of all TO attend |
the May parties. Fifth avenue runs along
Central Park on the east. and on the
west there IS long avenue. Central
Park West that sends out the children !
Tor The May party. In a few weeks
these same children will go 20 Bar Har-