In a set of prints called the _Tempest Cryes of London_, one is called the Merry Milkmaid, whose proper name was Kate Smith. She is dancing with her milk-pail on her head, decorated with silver cups, tankards, and salvers borrowed for the purpose, and tied together with ribbons, and ornamented with flowers. Misson, too, in his _Observations on his Travels in England_, alludes to this custom. He says: On the 1st of May, and the five and six days following, all the pretty young country girls that serve the town with milk dress themselves up very neatly, and borrow abundance of silver plate, whereof they make a pyramid, which they adorn with ribbons and flowers, and carry upon their heads instead of their common milk-pails. In this equipage, accompanied by some of their fellow milkmaids and a bag-pipe or fiddle, they go from door to door, dancing before the houses of their customers, in the midst of boys and girls that follow them in troops, and everybody gives them something.--Ozell’s _Translation_, 8vo, 1719, p. 307. In Read’s _Weekly Times_, May 5th, 1733, occurs the following:--On May-day the milk-maids who serve the Court danced minuets and rigadoons before the Royal family, at St. James’s House, with great applause. The following lines descriptive of the milkmaid’s garland are taken from _Every Day Book_, vol. i. pp. 569, 570:-- “In London thirty years ago, When pretty milkmaids went about, It was a goodly sight to see Their May-day pageant all drawn out. Themselves in comely colours drest, Their shining garland in the middle, A pipe and tabor on before, Or else the foot-inspiring fiddle. They stopt at houses where it was Their custom to cry ‘milk below!’ And, while the music play’d, with smiles Join’d hands and pointed toe to toe. Thus they tripp’d on, till--from door to door The hop’d-for annual present sent-- A signal came, to courtsey low, And at that door cease merriment. Such scenes and sounds once blest my eyes And charm’d my ears; but all have vanish’d. On May-day now no garlands go, For milkmaids and their dance are banish’d. See Chappell’s _Popular Music of the Olden Time_, 1855-9; also _Every Day Book_, vol. ii. p. 1562. _May-gosling._--A writer in the _Gent. Mag._ (1791, vol. lxi. p. 327) says a May-gosling, on the 1st of May, is made with as much eagerness in the north of England as an April noddy (noodle) or fool on the 1st of April.