THE FAIRIES' OFFERING TO THE QUEEN OF MAY.

Now the bright morning star, day's harbinger, Comes dancing from the east, and leads with her The flowery May, who from her green lap throws The yellow cowslip and the pale primrose. Hail, bounteous May! that dost inspire Mirth and youth with warm desire; Woods and groves are of thy dressing, Hill and dale doth boast thy blessing. Thus we salute thee with our early song, And welcome thee and wish thee long.

Twenty Female Figures.

So sings Milton to the sweet Birdmonth—he whose mighty mind "nigh sphered in Heaven," hymned the soft beauty of the first day that dawned upon the infant world, which surely must have been a May-morning.

"Sweet day, so calm, so pure, so bright, The bridal of the earth and skies."

What must have been a May-morning in Paradise, when even now, in the homeliest districts, it gladdens the heart of man with its advent of young flowers and budding leaves and sweetly singing birds! It seems to be Nature's own birthday, throughout the varied kingdoms of her living world. All countries have greeted the welcome arrival of this fair day, but none more so than old Pastoral England, in the time of her elder poets. Time was, when, from the court to the cottage, all "rose up early to observe the rite of May;" some went a "dew-gathering," a sort of rustic love-spell that was sure to enchant every maiden, gentle or simple; others to "fetch in May"—a rivalry that "robbed many a hawthorn of its half-blown sweets;" and others set their wits to work to get up some pretty device, some rural drama, one of which our tableau represents.

The Fairies' Offering to the Queen of May is a tableau of great excellence and artistic beauty. The Queen of May is seated on a floral throne in the background, which is situated upon a platform about six feet high, with broad steps extending across the stage and to the footlights. These should be covered with green bocking, and on them are grouped the fairies, who are offering to the queen, baskets, bouquets, and garlands of flowers. On the lower step are other fairies ascending to the throne, and bearing baskets of fruit and flowers on their heads. The number of figures in the piece is twenty, nineteen of which are young misses, quite small and pretty, and one a beautiful maiden, who takes the part of the May Queen.

You must wake and call me early, call me early, mother dear; To-morrow'll be the happiest time of all the glad New-year; To-morrow'll be of all the year the maddest, merriest day, For I'm to be Queen o' the May, mother, I'm to be Queen o' the May. Tennyson.

The stage scenery must be arranged in the following order: A large arm chair, with a shaft running up from the back, to which is attached a canopy, will answer for the throne chair; cover it with green cambric, and decorate with garlands and bouquets. This chair should rest on the platform, which is six feet long, three feet wide, and covered with French patch. A large gilt vase, containing a bouquet, must be placed at each corner. The queen's costume consists of a white robe, decorated with flowers, a garland about the head, the right hand grasping a wand trimmed with silver and gold paper, the body inclined forward slightly, the left hand extended, in the act of taking a bouquet from one of the fairies, whom she is looking at; her countenance is lighted up with smiles. Care should be taken that the fairies who are grouped around the throne do not take the view from the queen. The fairies' costume consists of a short white dress, flesh-colored hose, white slippers, and hair done up in ringlets. The sleeves of the dress made quite short, waist and skirt ornamented with gold bands and spangles, a wreath of pure white flowers, intermingled with myrtle, on the head, and a portion of them wearing gauze wings, studded with spangles. Four of the fairies are to be grouped around the foot of the throne, on the top step. They stand or kneel, so that a partial side view is had of the body; hands extended, and holding bouquets or garlands; eyes fixed on the queen; countenance pleasant. The rest of the misses must be placed on each side of the steps, assuming a variety of positions, and each have fruits or flowers. Those at the lower part of the steps can stand near the sides of the stage, which will allow those above to be seen. The scene should be illuminated by a trio of fires, consisting of green, purple, and red, burned at the side of the stage. For directions, see Pyramid of Beauty. Music soft and animating.