MAY DAY, in olden times, was the anniversary of all others which was associated with floral ceremonies. In the early morn all ranks of people went out a-Maying, returning laden with Hawthorn blossoms and May flowers, to decorate churches and houses. Shakspeare notices how, in his day, every one was astir betimes:-- “’Tis as much improbable, Unless we swept them from the door with cannons, To scatter ’em, as ’tis to make ’em sleep On May-day morning.” It being also the festival of SS. PHILIP AND JAMES, the feast partook somewhat of a religious character. The people not only turned the streets into leafy avenues, and their door-ways into green arbours, and set up a May-pole decked with ribands and garlands, and an arbour besides for Maid Marian to sit in, to witness the sports, but the floral decorations extended likewise into the Church. We learn from Aubrey that the young maids of every parish carried about garlands of flowers, which they afterwards hung up in their Churches; and Spenser sings how, at sunrise-- “Youth’s folke now flocken in everywhere To gather May-buskets and smelling Brere; And home they hasten the postes to dight And all the Kirke pillours ere day light With Hawthorn buds and sweete Eglantine, And girlonds of Roses, and Soppes-in-wine.” The beautiful milk-white Hawthorn blossom is essentially the flower of the season, but in some parts of England the Lily of the Valley is considered as “The Lily of the May.” In Cornwall and Devon Lilac is esteemed the May-flower, and special virtues are attached to sprays of Ivy plucked at day-break with the dew on them. In Germany the Kingcup, Lily of the Valley, and Hepatica are severally called _Mai-blume_. WHITSUNTIDE flowers in England are Lilies of the Valley and Guelder Roses, but according to Chaucer (‘Romaunt of the Rose’) Love bids his pupil-- “Have hatte of floures fresh as May, Chapelett of Roses of Whit-Sunday, For sich array ne costeth but lite.” The Germans call Broom Pentecost-bloom, and the Peony the Pentecost Rose. The Italians call Whitsunday _Pasqua Rosata_, Roses being then in flower. To TRINITY SUNDAY belong the Herb-Trinity or Pansy and the Trefoil. On ST. BARNABAS DAY, as on ST. PAUL’S DAY, the churches were decked with Box, Woodruff, Lavender, and Roses, and the officiating Priests wore garlands of Roses on their heads. On ROYAL OAK DAY (May 29th), in celebration of the restoration of King Charles II., and to commemorate his concealment in an aged Oak at Boscobel, gilded Oak-leaves and Apples are worn, and Oak-branches are hung over doorways and windows. From this incident in the life of Charles II., the Oak derives its title of Royal. “Blest Charles then to an Oak his safety owes; The Royal Oak, which now in song shall live, Until it reach to Heaven with its boughs; Boughs that for loyalty shall garlands give.”