Arkansas democratic banner., 1851-03-18
Correspondence of she '.Baaner.v
 Eep Orleras, Mareh etk, 1881

SFu TtcSns, HdFeA cAss 1901.
 Yesterday being ''Mard. Ciras as we'll as the anniversary of the Firemen's Celebration, was a day of no little amusement and fessivity To those who were never in this city during the commences ment of Lent 1t will be subject of astoniShment for them to learn that carnival IS held here on Shrove Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, durng which day, young people of both sexes. having disguised themselves with costumes, masks. &e., and prob ably assumed the dress of the opposite sex, they walk or rde through the streets to the houses of their aequain,ences, where they pay compliments to whom they ohooSe--giye unaSSed advice, and not unfequenty, ptter ardent professions of love. Should they meet with insult or rebuff from any one, they resent it by throwing handful of -four in the offenders face. 4 large quantity of .saeh amuniton being invariably carried in sack, on the I1aSqueraders arm Ii IS needless for me to add. that the masks are always too well con trived and fitted to afford any chance for the de- tection of it's wearer This old custom has now nearly become extinct, and IS, perhaps only main tained by the wildest of our young people. though very tcw year siace. every one III the city parti- cipated more or less in the mumeries, have des- cribed.
 Masquerade and Fancy Dress Baliswere held in several of the rnost respectable Ball rooms during the evening, all of which were densely crowded by visitors who displayed little taste in costume and ability to support the characters they assumed
 The day was also the anniversary of the Fire mems celebration; when usual procession of all the Fire companies with theiT engines, ladders, hose Sc., beautifully ornamentcd, and accdanpa- nied by bands ofmlsic, passed through the different streets during the morning, and assembled at the Placides Rarieties Theatre m the afternoon to listen to the address of Mir. T. W Smith. who had been unanimously elected orator of the day. Mir. $. who IS quite young man-more then fulfilled his fnepds expectations and gratiied his audience with one of the most brilliant and interesting speeches ever listened to.
 The jury in the case of Jno Henderson was completed Saturday last, and his trial has been progressing ever since. Yesterday the examination of the witnesses concluded, and to day pre- sume. both sides of the case will be argued by the respective counsels. Gen. Quitman IS a close at- endant at the court and is particularly anxious to obtain heafng for himself, with as little delay as possible,
 On Monday night, a very destructive fire occur Ted at the Banks Arcade, GU corner of Magazine and GIavier street, which destroyed the Bulletin ofiice three Hat stores and several private offices kept in the Arcade avenue. The Hoges and Maj. Boards Auction room, badly burned but both can be repaired. Col. Seymour of the Bulletin, regret to say lost his entire library together with everything apper:aining to the office except the business books and accounts. see by a notice published in this mornings papers; thatthe Balie- m will be re-isSaed to morrow morning. The Ar cade Hotel also is again in full blast though sever- al of the upper rooms were totally destroyed
 Jenny Lind will sing night at the St. Charles Theatre, and on Friday she will give her farewell concert, immediately after winch she leaves for the North.
 Father Mathew is still here, and win on St. Pairicks day, deyer a temperance address, and administer the pledge to ali who wish to receive t at hIs hands. On Monday he presented Bar mum with a gold medal as mark of personal es- teem and graceful recognition of his B s) lsbors in the cause of Temperance.
 Bsrnum Is advertised to deliver Temperance lecture to morrow evening. at the Lyceum Hall, which will doubtless be well attended, If Il is only b see the himself
 Cotton continues Aull. and there is little pros pect of any immediate rise in priee. Business ap- pearS 70 De heavy, and little of interes. is doing anywhere. The city is perfectly healthy, and will expect waen Jenny Lind leaves, De depnyed of fall haf of its late inhabitants. II.