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Article OLDEN HOLIDAY CUSTOMS Page 1 of 11 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Olden Holiday Customs
OLDEN HOLIDAY CUSTOMS
( Concluded from page 319 ., ) THIRTY years ago , a custom existed on May-day morning , quite irrespective of floral celebrations . It was that of Avashing the face in May-dew early , in order to acquire beauty ; no doubt originalldeAised to secure the lexional benefits of earl
y comp y rising , as the brothers in the fable tilled their land during their search for the hidden treasure . Pepys' diary has the following entry : — " My Avife Avent away , CIOAATI with Jane and W . Herver to Woolwich , in order to a little ayre ; and to lie there to-night , and so to gather May-dew to-morrow morning , which Mrs . Turner hath taught her is the only thing in the world to wash
her face with ; " adding—" and I am contented with it ; " the latter sentiment , by-the-bye , receiving elucidation from his subsequent recital of Adsiting Spring Gardens , where there Avas " a great deal of company , anct the weather and garden pleasant , —a man may go to spend what he will , or nothing , all as one . But to hear the nightingale and other birds , and here and there
a fiddle and there a harp , and here a jeiv ' s trump and there laughing , and there fine people walking , is mighty diverting , " says Pepys , his wife being at Woolwich , "in order to a little ayre , and to gather May-dew . " * A usage connected with ancient rites lately existed , and may still continue to exist , at Tissington , in Derbyshire . This Avas
well-dressing , and took place on Holy Thursday , in the first week in May . At the Fontinalia of the Romans , wells Avere adorned Avith crowns of flowers and nosegays ; and garlands were cast into the fountains—customs Avhich have descended to succeeding ages , as seen in the usage of well-dressing . On this occasion the Avells are similarldecorated with flowers and
y ribbons , and honoured with almost religious ceremonial . The principle of veneration for waters , howeA'er , Avhen not carried to idolatry , is rather pleasing than otherwise , —the patriarch's journeying in the wilderness , the modern traveller in African deserts , or the beholder of the bubbling fountains among the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Olden Holiday Customs
OLDEN HOLIDAY CUSTOMS
( Concluded from page 319 ., ) THIRTY years ago , a custom existed on May-day morning , quite irrespective of floral celebrations . It was that of Avashing the face in May-dew early , in order to acquire beauty ; no doubt originalldeAised to secure the lexional benefits of earl
y comp y rising , as the brothers in the fable tilled their land during their search for the hidden treasure . Pepys' diary has the following entry : — " My Avife Avent away , CIOAATI with Jane and W . Herver to Woolwich , in order to a little ayre ; and to lie there to-night , and so to gather May-dew to-morrow morning , which Mrs . Turner hath taught her is the only thing in the world to wash
her face with ; " adding—" and I am contented with it ; " the latter sentiment , by-the-bye , receiving elucidation from his subsequent recital of Adsiting Spring Gardens , where there Avas " a great deal of company , anct the weather and garden pleasant , —a man may go to spend what he will , or nothing , all as one . But to hear the nightingale and other birds , and here and there
a fiddle and there a harp , and here a jeiv ' s trump and there laughing , and there fine people walking , is mighty diverting , " says Pepys , his wife being at Woolwich , "in order to a little ayre , and to gather May-dew . " * A usage connected with ancient rites lately existed , and may still continue to exist , at Tissington , in Derbyshire . This Avas
well-dressing , and took place on Holy Thursday , in the first week in May . At the Fontinalia of the Romans , wells Avere adorned Avith crowns of flowers and nosegays ; and garlands were cast into the fountains—customs Avhich have descended to succeeding ages , as seen in the usage of well-dressing . On this occasion the Avells are similarldecorated with flowers and
y ribbons , and honoured with almost religious ceremonial . The principle of veneration for waters , howeA'er , Avhen not carried to idolatry , is rather pleasing than otherwise , —the patriarch's journeying in the wilderness , the modern traveller in African deserts , or the beholder of the bubbling fountains among the