_May-day._--In reply to MELANION (No. 12. p. 187.), I would observe that
in a collection of _Vues des Villes de Londres_, &c., published by
Pierre Vander at Leyden (without date, but about the time of William
III., or early in Anne's reign), there is a representation of "_La
Laitière de May à Londres_," with an enormous head-dress of silver
dishes, tankards, and cups, intermixed with flowers. There is no
letter-press explanation; but it is evident that the practice of the
milk-maids, in carrying their mail-pails balanced on their heads,
suggested the idea of carrying this more precious burthen in _gala_ on
May-day.