A May-Queen party is conducted in a variety of ways. Very simply you
may say: “I am arranging for a Maying party; will you come? I shall
be so glad to have you.” And without further form than the above
invitation, only mentioning the time, place of meeting, luncheon, etc.,
everything for a day’s outdoor frolic is adjusted.
But the correct fashion is vastly different. The invitation is of
the same character as that given for any other party. The paper on
which the invitation is engraved should be decorated. The decoration
should be suggestive of the occasion—a trimmed May-pole, a throne for
the Queen, or the Queen herself. Also, in the left-hand corner of the
invitation, state the time when the tally-ho or carriages will start:
they start from the house of the giver of the party. A good hour is ten
o’clock, and the guests should be there ten minutes earlier.
All Maying parties should be in charge of a chaperone, not only for
Madame Grundy’s sake, who would do a great deal of talking, but because
there is then some one older than yourself to consult with in case
of need, as also some one to superintend those who would arrange the
refreshment table. And as this party must
fall upon a day
In the merry month of May.
everybody should wear holiday attire, as,
In the days when we went gypsying,
A long time ago,
The lads and lassies in their best
Were dressed from top to toe.
In France this day was dedicated to the Virgin, and the most popular
girl was called the “Lady of the May.” She was always crowned and
adorned with flowers, and sat in state on a miniature throne made of
flowers and branches, while her maids of honor begged for money from
all who passed that way, to be spent on the religious feast held later.
And our May-Queen can have her white frock too, as dainty and pretty
as that of any Parisian maiden, if she will only wear warm flannels
underneath it. Remember, that though May days are oftentimes warm and
sunny even to uncomfortableness, their temperature cannot be depended
upon.
The May-Queen should be arranged for by the giver of the party, and
also her six maids of honor. The Queen only wears white. The maids
should wear frocks of different hue, and each represent a woodland
flower or fern. For example, rose pink garlanded with pink rose-buds
and roses; baby-blue and forget-me-nots; pale violet and violets;
cowslip yellow and cowslips; Nile-green and maidenhair-fern, etc. The
guests should wear flowers, and may or may not represent flowers, as
they choose. Only they must wear gay attire. The boys might dress as
gentlemen of the court, adopting the fashion of princes, lords, pages;
and do not forget the fool, with his cap and bells, to amuse the Queen.
Or all may wear grotesque apparel—it is go-as-you-please fashion—only
if the grotesque is decided upon, all should adopt it; the Queen could
personate Maid Marian, with gilt crown on her head, and one of the boys
assume the character of Robin Hood.
It would be a delight could all of these occasions have a May-pole,
wound about with gay color, and long ribbon streamers firmly fastened
at the top, which during the dances should be braided and unbraided
again and again. It requires a tall straight tree, which should be
firmly set in the ground, after the order of a flag-staff. The tallest
May-pole ever set up in England was on the Strand, London, and was one
hundred and thirty-four feet high. A pole twelve feet from the ground,
however, will give just as much pleasure at the ordinary May-Queen
party. Around it join hands, and sing any familiar English ballads,
or songs from the opera of _Robin Hood_. It might be well to have a
rehearsal of two or three songs beforehand, if you should be particular
about your music at the time of the party. As for dances, they should
be intermingled with the songs, waltzes, mazourkas, schottisches—any
dance that you may know. Besides this, play one and another ring game,
even if you are ever such big boys and girls. Always remember to pay
homage to your Queen, being sure that she is leading.
Whoever gives the party is of course responsible for refreshments,
which are usually served picnic fashion on long tables in the woods,
near to the place where the games are played. The provisions should be
carried in a separate wagon, and be kept out of sight until it is time
for lunch. The tables may be made very attractive by means of mosses,
wild flowers, and grasses. One such table was of exquisite beauty, its
only adornment being ferns. A border of them was pinned or basted all
around the cloth, made higher at the corners. A large cut-glass bowl
stood in the centre of the table, filled with maiden-hair, and two
tall slender vases, one shorter than the other and filled with fine
ferns and vines stood at irregular distances. When the refreshments are
ready, the hostess must escort the Queen, and lead her to the position
of honor. Next to follow should be the maids of honor, and the rest as
they will. In every instance the Queen must be served first; indeed,
she should be shown every consideration.
The Queen’s throne should be erected near the May-pole. It is generally
made in a sort of bower of bushes. Sometimes a large stone has to form
the seat; cover this with flowers, so that your Queen is really sitting
in a floral chair. Make her crown before leaving home; it can be cut
out of pasteboard, and covered with gilt paper, and when you get to
the fields twine flowers around it; or you may assimilate a crown with
a wreath of wild flowers. In either case present it to her with great
formality. Having led her near the throne, two of the boys should stand
on either side of her, and suspend the crown between them, immediately
above her head. While they are in this position, the hostess must step
towards the Queen and say, “In the name of this court, we crown you
Queen of May.” The boy standing at her right then leads her to the
throne; when she is seated, the other boy presents her sceptre, and her
entire court sing a chorus previously decided.
The girls might all carry wooden hoops, and having wound flowers around
them, take them to some poor child or sick mother or sister on their
return home, and so have the pleasantest sort of an ending to the
May-Queen party. In our joy and gladness under the cloudless sky, on a
moss-covered walk, with violets and other wild flowers at our feet, we
should not forget the many more to whom such a party would seem almost
as a day in Paradise.