Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-10-01
rHE GREAT MUD CARNIVAL.
Ten thousand Women FIonnacring iii
the Mud aud Rain
From the st. Louis Democrat, 10th. !

FROM tue Cl. LOUIS DclnOclAt, lUtn.
Never was there such n scene in the wide |
world as that witnessed yesterday afternoon
on the Fair Ground. Never were 50 many
white and black, old and young, tall and
small beautiful and bad looking ladies in
such horrible dilemma. The day opened
propitiously, with a clouded sky that threat
ened no rain, and cool breezes which were
without any admixture of dust or smoke.
The city poured forth her thousands, with
all their country relations and visitors, and
by one o'clock p NJ, the Fair Ground could
not have contained less than Twenty-Five
thousand people. \ little shower that passed
over about eleven o'clock excited but small
surprise, and did not interfere in the least
with the pleasures of the day. About o.
clock another drizzle came on, which was
chiefly instrumental in driving to shelter the
hundreds of groups that were taking their
picnic dinners out among the trees and on
the green grass.
The afternoon exhibitions were inaugural
ed with great spirit, the scenes of the ring
being witnessed by densely crowded amphi-
theatre, containing not less than from fifteen
to twenty thousand persons. While the
contest between the roadstcrs was still going
on, another drizzle passed over, which was
soon succeeded by a dashing thunder gust
with Il heavy pour of rain. This drenched
| all outsiders, and flooded the promenade and
| steps of the amphitheatre with two or three
inches of water. The clouds broke away
again, and the sun pcered curlously out as
if to note the effect of his shower upon the
scene. Evidently disappointed at the fail
ure of his thunder gust to scatter the crowds.
he again withdrew, and called up out of the
west very sombre mass of vapors that
stretched almost from South to North, and
came slowly on with woeful portent
1t was evident that long, steady rain was
about to set in. The crowd took alarm, and
at about 8 O'Clock the rush for omnibuses
and other vehicles began. The mud was ex-
cessivc. The water stood in puddlcs and
ponds all over the grounds and along the
path WAYS. The most decided movement
was first noticed at tie steps leading down
from the promenade of the amphitheatrc,
which was all muddy and slippery. The
descent had to be made, and there was no
other way for the ladies but to elevate such
of their drapcry as they desired to preserve
from pollution, and make the rush. Down
they came singly and in troops. Hundreds
of mean and shameless boys and men station
ed themselves at the foot of the steps to in
crease the perplexities and modification OF
the ladies.
The rain was coming. No time to be 10 st
Silk dresses were precious and must be saved,
so they were caught up and drawn around
the waists. Handsome petticoats were
preserved in like manner. Hoops and crino-
line were very inconvenient Skeleton skirts
were totally unmanageable and in hundreds
of cases were left to hang and sway and grin
around the forms oftheir possessOr; to the
horror of modest men all over the ground.
Slippers were entirely engulphe as the..wear-
ers plunged from the steps and sought the
dry land. Boots and CATERS were all splash
ed and soiled, pants and hose, well every
thing outside of the very cuticle itself of bi.
furcated feminity, was all bedabbled and be-
spattered with mud and slush.
The rain came steadily on. The crowd;
in the umphitheatre rapidly dispensing, rush
ed headlong to the entrances of the grounds
and soon the omnibuscs in waiting were be
sieged by thousands of men, women and
children, who were frantic in their efforts t
gain seats. Couples and squads ran through
the mud up the road to anticipate seats ir
the returning vehicles. Confusion was at it,
height uhen The ram came. Then ensueC
such scene as we hope never to witness
again. There were not omnbuses or wagons
for half of the people. The mud was a1kl
deep, and the RAIN making it deeper ever,
minute. Women and children were caugh
up by frantic husbands and fathers anC
pitched into the doors and windows Of tn
carriages.
The horses crowded upon one another
the men cursed and raved-screams of terro
arose from the women on all sides-som
were knocked down in the mud-others fel
sprawling under foot-dresses and bonnet
were torn and scattered around-many whit
were afraid to mingle with the crowd stood
upon its verge without shelter of any kind
the rain beating pitilessly down upon thei
fnery, streaming down their bare shoulder
and necks, washing away their rosy cheek
and dark ye-brows-well, we are not equa
to the description. 1t was terrible sight
1t was a terrible suffering and modification
to thousands who were caught in the dilem
ma.
At dark last night there We're hundred
yet remaining on the ground. The omnibu
horses were all worked down, and driver
opposed to returning, 81 many were compel
cd either to remain on the ground or walk t.
the city.
On Wednesday night, we learn, Their
were at least two huL dred thus left. Las
night there must have been a thousand
Happy those, yesterday, who had carriage
Of their own--happy those who left tn
ground early happy she who wore cheal
bonnet, or cheap dress, or no hounces o.
moderate hoops-happy, thrice happy, sh
with pretty ankle and dark toxin
miserable, very miserable, all and every on,
else.
DoSArI's CoMEr.-The following informa
ton given to the Boston Advertiser abou