parts of Ireland; a king and queen are chosen from amongst the young persons who are the best dancers, the queen carries a garland composed of two hoops placed at right angles, and fastened to a handle; the hoops are covered with flowers and ribbands; you have seen it, I dare say, with the May-maids. Frequently in the course of the dance the king and queen lift up their joined hands as high as they can, she still holding the garland in the other. The most remote couple from the king and queen first pass under; all the rest of the line linked together follow in succession: when the last has passed, the king and queen suddenly face about and front their companions; this is often repeated during the dance, and the various undulations are pretty enough, resembling the movements of a serpent. The dancers on the first of May visit such newly wedded pairs of a certain rank as have been married since last May-day in the neighbourhood, who commonly bestow on them a stuffed ball richly deck'd with gold and silver lace, (this I never heard of before,) and accompanied with a present in money, to regale themselves after the dance. This dance is practised when the bonfires are lighted up, the queen hailing the return of summer in a popular Irish song, beginning: Thuga mair sein en souré ving.

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"We lead on summer-see! she follows in our train.' "I believe here is a more exact and entertaining account than you could have expected; but you in return are solicited to point out the passages in Shakspeare and Johnson where the dance is mentioned: the rural antiquaries are eager to know them, and not a little pleased at the circumstance, and that you have made the enquiry." Boswell.

C. Baldwin, Printer, New Bridge-street, London.

END OF VOL. XIV.