The month of May is dedicated to her, and is called Mary's month. Temporary altars are raised to her honour, surrounded by flowers and adorned with garlands and drapery; her image usually standing before the altar. Societies are formed chiefly for the celebration of the Virgin's praises, and in some Churches the effect, both to the eye and to the ear, corresponds with the preparation. One thing only is wanting--the proper object of worship. I have now before me a book of hymns published professedly for the religious fraternities in Paris, and used in the Churches there. [Nouveau Recueil de Cantiques à l'usage des confréries des Paroisses de Paris. Paris, 1839.] Many of these hymns are addressed to the Virgin alone; some without any reference to the Son of God and Man, the only Saviour, and without any allusion to the God of Christians; indeed, an address to a heathen Goddess more entirely destitute of Christianity can scarcely be conceived. I copy one hymn entire. "Around the altars of Mary Let us, her children, press; To that mother so endeared Let us address the sweetest prayers. Let a lively and holy mirth Animate us in this holy day: There exists no sadness For a heart full of her love. Let us adorn this sanctuary with flowers; Let us deck her revered altar; Let us redouble our efforts to please her. Be this month consecrated to her; Let the perfume of these crowns Form a delicious incense, {352} Which ascending even to her throne May carry to her both our hearts and our prayers. Let the holy name of Mary Be for us a name of salvation! Let our softened soul Ever pay to her a sweet tribute of love. Let us join the choirs of angels The more to celebrate her beauty; And may our songs of praise Resound in eternity. O holy Virgin! O our mother! Watch over us from fhe height of heaven; And when from this sojourning of misery, We present our prayers to you; O sweet, O divine Mary! Lend an ear to our sighs, And after this life Make us to taste of immortal pleasures."