May First celebrates Spring, but this pagan celebration using
May-poles (from a religion that focuses upon trees) and happy
dancing in costumes, no longer existed in Dickens' England
except in an attenuated form. Chimney-sweeps still celebrated
Spring! A Chimney-sweep dressed as a "Jack-in-the-Green"
or "Jack o' the Green": covered with green leaves and
branches: a veritable tree-spirit! A Chimney-sweep dressed as
a "Man of Green" went in a procession through London
streets, accompanied by others who danced and were dressed in
costumes.