New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-02
Bv WILLIS FLETCHER JOHNSON.

CHILD-or is it a fool ?-sayeth an old
"A proyerb, can ask more questions than q
sage can answer The case thus suggested
"a extreme Let u.s. therefore, practise modera-
ton and. without nvidious reflection upon the one
and without vain boasting Of the other, make the
saving read that a correspondent can ask more
questions than an editor can answer. In token OF
which, behold these questions lying at this moment
upon my desk They not asked by child, or
by fool and they are not going to be answered
by sage But they represent lsudable and
profitable curiosity of the average mind, and the
attempt TO answer them-for full answer would be
impossibe-will not be devoid of interest or Of
value.
Imprimis, Why are May weddings considered
unfortunate?
Secundus, Why are old shoes flung after brides?
There was another, which | might have brack-
eted with these, though on somewhat different
topic, to wit, Why is the rabbit used as an Easter
emblem? OF course, was quick to answer that
with the crushing retort that it isn't the rabbit
that is thus used, but the hare; the distinction
between them for this purpose being essential
and fundamental. But to why the hare is thus
used or at least as to the origin of such use who
is a mere editor that he should presume to say?
Why, the secret was so old that in the days Of
ing, however, in the very nomenclature of the
an unmistakable suggestion that the practice or
the legend was of early Egyptian origin. It is
after q similar fashion that must deal with the
two questions now in hand.
The prejudice against May weddings is perhaps
not as ancient as the relation between Easter and
the hare but 1t has highly respectable antiquity.
Nineteen centuries ago It hoary with age.
Ovid referred to it as an ancient proverb which
he repeated in a memorable line: "Mense malas
Maio nubere vulgus sit"
THE QUEEN OF SCOTS MARRIED boutwell,
IN MONTH OF MAY.
Mary Stuart, fine Latinist as she was, should
have been familiar with that line. Perhaps she
was, since Ovid is said to have been one of her
favorite poets. If so, she ignored defed it. But
some one Of the Court recalled it, and when
May 16, 1867, the Queen of Scots went to her
hallowed nuptials with Boutwell,, that line, writ
bold for all to read was found posted upon the
gates of Holyroodl Since then the same idea has
been repeated in Scotland uncounted times, though
not generally in classic Latin.
Marry in May,
Rue for aye!"
is the terse distich of the people, Highland and
Lowand alike. And if one asks them why, the
comes with comparable directness,
From marriage in May
BARNS die and decay"
Nor Is this vulgar superstition. Did not Sir
Walter Scott hasten at breakneck speed from Lon
don back to Scotland in order TO have his daughter
welded before the first of May? Eminent divnes
declared from the kirk pulpit that girls stark
mad that wed in May; that couples then married
will be chdless; or, If they have children, the
frst-born will be an idiot or cripple; or in any
event they will not live happily together"
Over the border in England the same prejudice
prevails.
MARRY in May
And rue the day.
is a familiar English saying. Some have sought to
explain it on ecclesiastical grounds, to the effect
that May is or was forbidden time for weddings
in the church. But this is not true Marriages in
Lent have been discouraged though not altogether
forbidden, and there used to be a hard and fast
rule against them during the two weeks from
Rogation to Whitsunday, which might or might
not be in May. There was an old rhyme which
ran thus:
Advent marriage doth deny,
But Hilary gives liberty;
Septuagesima says nay;
Eight days from Easter say you may;
b Rogaton bids thee to contain, Z
But Trinity sets thee free again" ZQ