Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1896-05-04
SHOWERS MAKE P0SIES.
American May Party Spring Fes-
tival UneQualled Even
in England.

its own From time unnamable the park
commissioners have donated the pubilc
sward to the use of the May folk, and
ever since gray-haired men were chill
dren the May parties have Travelled up to
the park early every Saturday morning,
armed with a permit that allows them
to trespass upon all the fiat, out-stretch-
ing green grass in sight.
This annual privilege lies in the hands
Of the park commissioners to extend
or withhold as they see fit. As the
hosts of Central park, they can issue
permits to a few parties, or can allow
limit the number of May parties to
sufficient number to dot the green grass
comfortably and prettily, or they can
crowd it SO full that quarrel and dis
pute takes the place of song and dance.
There are enough who wish to go a-May-
ing to pack Central park from entrance
to entrance, miles apart though they be,
all the five Saturdays of May, 1896
The May party came from England in
old Knickerbocker days. The United
States then was either Puritan or
Kpickerbocker, according to section, and
being either one or the other, each
claiming great superiority on account OF
descent.
In the region of the Knickebockers
the world got the sun soonest and the
grass got green earliest. 1t was only a
trick of tide and wave, Gulf stream and
wind. but the flowers blOOmed first for
the little Knickerbockers just the same.
Therefore, as sports were scarcer in
those early days, the Knickerbockers
made a play Of gathering the first wild
flowers, and in few years they mad cs-
tablished the May party as securely as
Plymouth rock was anchored. But they
did not keep the privilege alone long.
Boston common and Boston parks found
they could grow flowers also, and the
caught on" to the Mayfower idea and
added to it new beauties from England.
Thus the May party spread. and now
it stretches across the entire country,
ending only at the Pacific coast, where
a state of idealism as to climate makes
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 in
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 filed with
slowly riding men and women: They
want to take in the sights of the first
holiday in May.
From 8 o'clock in the morning the
May parties begin to arrive. These APP
DrOach the park in long procession, walk
ing two abreast, all carrying baskets in
one arm and flowers in the other. Ahead
marches a queen dressed in white with
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
begins there is stir in the society of the
schools. May, parties, are forming
teachers are being enlisted to escort
them to the park, menus are being
planned and the programme is being
made out for the May party. Never is
this festal gathering an impromptu one,
and not even the coronation of the Czar
has been rehearsed oftener.
The May party that is best liked by
the board of education is an instructing
one. and as this is the most interesting
party that can be planned, most of the
Maying parties are conducted on this
scheme. 1t is rather expensive, though,
and for that reason it deters many whose
parents, though willing, cannot afford the
costumes of other days. It is ali they
can do to follow the fashions of '96.
For the instructive May party a period
of long ago is selected. That of the
court of Marie Antionette is specially
liked, though for what reason is not
known. unless it be that the Queen was
very beautiful woman, and young peO-
pie have an instructive taste for the
lovely.
The queen of the party wears head
dress of tulle and white gown as long
as can be managed, over which the head
dress falls, making a robe like a COM
munion dress. This is made more earth
" than communion robe by sewing
daisy chains upon it, and by browning
the queen with flowers that fall in links
to her feet on all sides.
Louis, Marie Antoinette's King, wears
crown cut out of pasteboard and COW
knee breeches. His body attendants
are 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 dignity of the court. A bugler 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 to
the park, is a beautiful one. Passersby
stop to watch the procession out Of sight
and windows are filled with people On
the lookout for passing May parties.
1t is not only the children Of those who
have no lawns of their own who go
aMaying in the park. The little ones Of
wealth are delighted to get into the green
acres and scamper around They are
the first to raise the May-pole, which,
all wound with ribbons, is part of every
May party, and though they may not be
allowed to parade the streets, they are
let out of the carriages at the entrance
of the park, and through the winding
parks they. too, enjoy the felicity of the
May parade.
Around every fine park there are
handsome houses, commanding great
rentals on account of the situation with
the park opposite and pure, sweet air
coming in the windows. In these luxuri-
Gus homes opposite Central park live
the children who like best of all 10 at
tend the May parties. Fifth avenue
runs along Central Park on the east
and on the west there is long avenue,
De-. IL. IL