to Brazil, in South America. The little Jean's mother died when he was six years old. So the lad was sent home to France to his grandmother Bouveret, whose name, according to custom, he affixed to his own. The long name is of little importance. We seldom hear it used. Dagnan-Bouveret was from the beginning determined to be an artist. When his father offered him an opening in his commercial business in Brazil, he declined it. This so angered his father that he at once stopped his allowance. The lad, nevertheless, held firmly to his ambition to paint. Jean continued his studies at a famous French school of art, called the Ecole des Beaux Arts, and because he was such an incessant worker soon became a successful painter. It was while visiting at the home of his father-in-law that he saw the subject for "At the Watering Trough." Several months were devoted to the painting of this one picture. It is considered one of the artist's best works and is now in the Luxembourg Gallery, Paris, France. Popular Ballad Studies for Grade III May Songs Laura F. Kready Part II Festival Songs May-Day is derived from Maia, the mother of Mercury, to whom Romans sacrificed on this day. Ceremonies were also paid to Flora, the goddess of fertility of the fields. The doll, which is often the central object of May garlands, is an image of Flora. Maia is a surname for Cybele. Others derive it from Majores, saying that Romulus called the month "May" in honor of the Senators. Or it is derived from the Sanscrit for grow, the growing or shooting month. An old calendar tells that boys went to see the May-trees on April 30. The Floralia of ancient Rome were celebrated on April 2830. Some say that May-day is a repetition of the phallic festivals of India and Egypt, which took place when the sun entered Taurus, to celebrate Nature's fertility. Phallos in Greek means "pole." In England, little girls dress fantastically, parade the village, carrying sticks, to the top of which are tied bunches of flowers, and sing: A French writer has described the old French custom: "On the first of May, dressed in white, they put at their head the sweetest and prettiest of their number. They robe her for the occasion: a white veil, a crown of white flowers adorn her head; she carries a candle in her hand; she is their queen, she is the Trimouzette. Then, all together, they go from door to door singing the song of the Trimouzettes; they ask contributions for adorning the altar of the Virgin, for celebrating, in a joyous repast, the festival of the Queen of Heaven.' English May Carol Rise up the Mistress of this house, with gold along your breast, For the summer springs so fresh, green, and gay; God bless this house and harbor, your riches and your store, From "Games and Songs of American Children," by W. W. Newell, used by courtesy of the publishers, Harper & Bros. Harvest Song Harvest home! Harvest home! The bells they do shake and the bells they do ring. From "English Folk-Rhymes," by Northall, p. 260. |