One of the most soul-stirring events of our peace-making city was on May day.  As usual, the day seemed to be fitted for the joyful occasion, and both passed off pleasantly.  Several parties of young ladies, beautifully attired in white, walked our streets and visited our canyons, (the free gardens of the mountains) to decorate themselves with garlands of flowers and evergreen sprigs, and relevantly act the queen--for they are all queens who do the will of God:  so that a little praise cannot be misapplied to such goodly models of the rising Deseretians.  We have not time nor space to give a synopsis of each party’s doings through the day, but must content ourselves with a brief sketch of what graced the scholars of the Parent School of the University of the Great Basin of the Rocky Mountains.   At about 4 p. m. Chancellor Spencer and Regent Phelps met the young ladies (who had visited the free gardens of the mountains in the forepart of the day for the “natural embellishments” which gave zest to the beautiful scene) and escorted them, singing by the way from the Council house to Mrs. Pack’s assembly room, where they met the male members of said school, who had previously assembled for the recreations of the evening.  A collation, or lady fare, good enough for kings and queens, graced the table, amid the flowerpots, boquets, festoons, and fragrance of this hall of hilarity, and, after thanks were tendered by Mr. Phelps to our Father in the heavens, was partaken with an air of satisfaction,--a dignity of manners,--and a serenity of sobriety,--rarely witnessed at Belles-Letters festivities
   
The following lines, composed for the young ladies by W. W. Phelps were sung while sitting at the table:

A very appropriate prayer was offered by Chancellor Spencer; next followed a short address by Regent Phelps, setting forth the blessings of union, confidence in God, and the happy results of instructions, and giving a sketch of the historical origin of “April Fool” and “May Day”.    *                *       After his remarks were concluded, the animated music and the social dance, modified by a gentle spirit through the room, seemed to whisper:--Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren, or young saints, to dance together in unity.
   
A sweet incense of joy, and a pleasing sensation of peace pervaded the party through every performance of the day,--wheth-

Source: The Utah Genealogical & Historical Magazine, Vol. 1, July, 1911
Submitted and transcribed by Richard Ramos