The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1823-06-06
CARNIVAL AT MADRID.

ct this annual exhibition of gaiety and
motley .groupes, is extracted from pri-
vate letter from the above capitals
MADRID, FEB. IL. 1823.-In conse.
quence of its being the time of Carnival,
several ladies and gentlemen attended
lady ACCOUNTS tertulia on Monday even
ing, in fancy dresses. The young mar
quis OF Santo Cruz appeared very ele-
gantiy dressed as young Moorish prince.
The naturally dark Spanish countenancc
becomes this dress exceedingly. His
mother, the marchioness, who is yet in
the prime of life, and who, before her
marriage, was considered the most beau
tiful woman. in Spain, was arrayed in a
vest and iurban Of silver tissue. which
set oil her person to great advantage
His eldest sister the young marchioaess
of Aleanisas, presented herself in the an.
cient dress OF ,Andalusia, which, without
being costly. is extremely beautiful
Her two younger sisters appeared also
in provincIa! dresses, which became them
remarkably well, particularly that OF the
youngest, who was dressed as Mallo-
crime, or native of Maiorca. This Young
lady, though scarcely sixteen years Of
age, is the admiration OF every circle in
which she moves. There is certain
grace and animation about her, which
throws mere beauty into the shade, and
realise those ideas which romance rca
ders are apt to entertain OF a high born
Spanish maiden.
he duchess Of Frias was alfred as
Cleopatra with long flowing white veil,
her bosom starred with diamonds. SIEVE.
lal others of the company were fancifui-
~ arrayed-amongst the ornaments were
observed profusion of diamonds, and
elegantly gold wrought and silver eros.
ses,the iavourite decorations in all Catho.
lie countries Lord Francis L. Cover
looked to great advantage in his splendid
full dress uniform as a cornet Of the
guards. Msssrs. Ward and Elliot an.
peared also in military uniform. LADY
A'Court, who was attired i'm rich lace
dress, sprigged with silver, presided
with her usual dignity over this anima>
ted and elegant scene. The company
began to pour in at 10 O'clock. Soon
alter that hour the rooms were crowded,
and dancing commenced. ltw an ex,
tremely interesting sight, to view the
various Spanish provincial dresses, set
of by SO many fine forms, mineling to-
seiher on this gay occasion. The Span
| iards seemed 10 enjoy il much, and to
| the foreigners who were present, it was
productive ofequal delight. The COM
pany did not separate Till at late hour
the following morning.
The number of Mosques on the Prado,
on Monday, was greater than ON the day
before, but yesterday Gall the world and
his wife," to use Spanish sayings, were
cut. There were at least from A to 500
persons OF both sexes, young and old,
masqued, who traversed the Prado in
grouPes; task which they would have
found difficult enough, OF account of the
vast crowd which attended, if every dis.
position had not been shewn to accommo
date them. One of the first groupes
which appeared was headed by watch
man, who held before him an old lantern.
Some OF this groupe were dressed in a
very fantastic manner. Another groupe
was headed by a musician. who played
| on broken old guitar with one string.
In another quarter were seen Don Ouix-
otte and his man Sancho. One masoue
excited great amusement, who had a
stuffed figure so attached to him that he
appeared to be riding on mans back.
In the conception Of these and innumera-
bic other masks, great deal OF the spirit
Of broad comedy prevailed.
But the groupe which afforded the
greatest amusement of all, was one of
| five masks, one of whom was seated on
an'ass, his face turned towards the ami.
mails tail. BY an Inscription affixed on
his hat, it appeared that he was intended
TO represent diplomatisi of Verona
He held in his hand some sheets of blank
paper, and he observed most important
silence: On his right hand he was atten.
ded by a mask, the representative of the
regency OF Urgel; and on his left the
Russian and Prussian ambassadors. The
king OF France was stationed on the ass's
tail. They were received with shouts
OF laughter wherever they appeared
An old clothesmaD, with a bag on his
shoulder, and hat of rush mating, with
a leaf, yard vide, presented also droll
appearance. From the Prado he pur-
sued his way into the street, stopped be.
fore the balconies, where he saw any Ia.
dies, viewed them for while through
his immense tin eye glass, and then rar
off TO another part OF the street. A mask
with the face behind, giving the idea Of