From 'the wit's magazine', i. 161. Illustration to verses, 'may day. By mr collings', p. 191. Milkmaids with their 'garlands' and little chimney-sweepers dance to a fiddle played by a man with one leg. There are two 'garlands' or pyramids of plate arranged with greenery, ribbons, &c. One (left) is surmounted by an urn with a streamer attached to it. It was carried by two chairmen, who have put it down while one drains a tankard; the other has removed his wig to mop his forehead. The other (right), surmounted by a short brush, is on the head of a milkmaid. Other milkmaids dance; one holds out her hand to receive a coin from a woman in a doorway over which is inscribed 'original shaving shop a room for ladies'. A projecting lantern or sign is inscribed 'shave for a penny. Gentlemen dispatched in a moment'. A child leans out of the window over the door holding a rattle, a woman stands behind. Other spectators look from adjacent windows. The little 'climbing boys' are dressed up and dancing, beating their brushes on their shovels. All wear wigs, two have laced hats. One, a mere infant, is dressed chiefly in a large wig and vandyked paper frills. The street is 'milk street'; over a shop window is 'peter pi. Pewterer'. Play-bills are posted on the wall: 'theatre royal drury lane. Jovial crew. May day' and 'pantheon. Concert'. 1 june 1784
etching. Date: 1784. Dimensions: Height: 189 mm; Width: 226 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Samuel Collings. Collection: British Museum. May-Day in London (BM J,7.6)
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