with to make themselves fair for the remainder of the year. This 

 old custom is still extant in the north of England and in some 

 districts of Scotland. Robert Fergusson has told how the Scotch 

 lassies swarmed at daybreak on Arthur's Seat : 



" On May-day in a fairy ring, 

 We've seen them round St. Anthon's spring 

 Frae grass the caller dew-draps wring, 



To wet their ein. 

 And water clear as crystal spring. 

 To synd them clean." 



In Ross-shire the lassies pluck sprigs of Ivy, with the May- 

 dew on them, that have not been touched by steel. 



It was deemed important that flowers for May garlands and 

 posies should be plucked before the sun rose on May-day morning ; 

 and if perchance, Cuckoo-buds were included in the composition 

 of a wreath, it was destroyed directly the discovery was made, and 

 removed immediately from a posie. 



In the May-day sports on the village green, it was customary 

 to choose as May Queen either the best dancer or the prettiest 

 girl, who, at sundown was crowned with a floral chaplet — 



'• See where she sits upon the grassie greene, 



A seemly sight ! 

 Yclad in scarlet, like a mayden queene, 



And ermines white. 

 Upon her head a crimson coronet, 

 With Daffodils and Damask Roses set : 



Bay-leaves betweene. 



And Primroses greene 

 Embellished the sweete Violet. — Spenser. 



The coronation of the rustic queen concluded the out-door 

 festivities of May-day, although her majesty's duties would not 

 appear to have been fulfilled until she reached her home. 



" Then all the rest in sorrow, 



And she in sweet content. 

 Gave over till the morrow, 



And homeward straight they went ; 

 But she of all the rest 



Was hindered by the way, • 



For every youth that met her 



Must kiss the Queen of May !" 



At Horncastle, in Lincolnshire, there existed, till the beginning 

 of the present century, a ceremony which evidently derived its 

 origin from the Roman Floralia. On the morning of May-day, a 

 train of youths collected themselves at a place still known as the 

 May-bank. From thence, with wands enwreathed with Cowslips 

 they walked in procession to the may-pole, situated at the west 

 end of the town, and adorned on that morning with every variety of 

 wild flowers. Here, with loud shouts, they struck together their 

 wands, and, scattering around the Cowslips, testified their thankful- 

 ness for the bounteous promise of spring. 



