receiving gratuities from their customers. On
their heads--instead of a milk-pail--they carried a curious trophy,
called the "Milkmaids' Garland," made of silver or pewter jugs, cups,
and other pieces of plate, which they borrowed for the occasion, and
which shone out of a mass of greenery and flowers. Possibly these were
at first the pewter measures with which they served out the milk. The
music to which the milkmaids' dance was performed, was the jangling of
bells of different tones depending from a round plate of brass mounted
upon a Maydecked pole; but a bag-pipe or fiddle was sometimes
substituted.

Cream, syllabub, and dainties compounded with milk, belong in England to
the May festival. In Germany there is a "May drink" (said to be very
nice) made by putting woodruff into white Rhine wine, in the proportion
of a handful to a quart. Black currant, balm, or peppermint leaves are
sometimes added, and water and sugar.

The milkmaids' place has been completely usurped by the sweeps, who
clatter a shovel and broom instead of the old plate and bells, and who
seem to have added the popular Jack-in-the-green to the entertainment.
Jack-in-the-green's costume is very simple. A wicker-work frame of an
extinguisher shape, thickly covered with green, is supported by the man
who carries it, and who peeps through a hole left for the purpose.
May-day has become the Sweeps' Carnival. Mrs. Montague (whose son is
said to have been stolen for a sweep in his childhood, and afterwards
found) used to give the sweeps of London a good dinner every May-day, on
the lawn before her house in Portman Square.

Another May-day custom is that of the choristers assembling at five
o'clock in the morning on the top of the beautiful tower of Magdalen
College, Oxford, and ushering in the day with singing. At the same time
boys of the city armed with tin trumpets, called "May-horns," assemble
beneath the tower, and contribute more sound than harmony to the
celebration. Let us hope that it is not strictly a part of the old
ceremony, but rather a minor manifestation of "Town and Gown" feeling,
that the town boys jeer the choristers, and in return are pelted with
rotten eggs. The origin of this special Oxford custom is said to be a
requiem which was sung on the tower for the soul of Henry VII., founder
of the College. In the villages girls used to carry round May-garlands.
The party consisted of four children. Two girls in white dresses and gay
ribbons