JACK-IN-THE-GREEN.

171

maidens, with their musician, walked before it, and performed their dance without any incumbrance. This was called the Milkmaid's Garland, but it has not been abroad for some years. In imitation of the foregoing, a set of people, well known to parish officers by the title of Bunters, have a garland, consisting of an inverted basket, covered with flowers and brass culinary utensils. With this they parade the streets, and dance to the sound of rough music, frequently accompanied with a Jack-in-theGreen. The latter piece of pageantry consists of a hollow frame of wicker work, in the form of a sugarloaf, but open at the bottom, and sufficiently large and high to receive a man. The frame is covered with green boughs and bunches of flowers interwoven with each other, so that the man within may be completely concealed; and, as he dances with his com

172 CHIMNEY SWEEPERS' FESTIVAL.

panions, the populace are mightily diverted to see the green pyramid jig about.

The chimney sweepers of London have also singled out the first of May for their festival, at which time they parade the streets in companies, disguised in various manners. Their dresses are usually decorated with gilt paper and other mock fineries; they have their shovels and brushes in their hands, which they rattle together; and to this rough music they jump about, in imitation of dancing, while a boy in girl's clothing holds out a brass ladle to receive the contributions of the bystanders. Some of the larger companies have a fiddle or drum with them, and a Jack-in-the-Green, as well as a Lord and Lady of the May, who, with smutted faces, follow the minstrel with great affectation of stateliness, and dance as occasion requires.

LADY OF THE LAMB.

THE Whitsuntide holidays were celebrated by various pastimes, commonly practised upon other festivals; but on the Monday after the Whitsun-week, at Kidlington, in Oxfordshire, a fat lamb was provided, and the maidens of the town, having their thumbs tied behind them, were permitted to run after it, and she who with her mouth took hold of the lamb, was declared the Lady of the Lamb, which, being killed and cleaned, but with the skin hanging on it, was carried on a long pole before the lady and her companions to the Green, attended with music, a morrice-dance of men, and another of women. The rest of the day was spent in mirth and merry glee. On the following day, the lamb, partly baked,