The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-01-15
ul.tnrv Of the CarnIvsls.


The Carnival, or Fastnacht, az it is termed,
snginated during the sixth century, aud was
continued under Pope Gregory, who originated
the season OF Lent BY degrees the Oarnlya
was introduced into Southern Germany, while
by the Jealous generally IT was denounced as an
outrageous custom, because the first Christians
during those days conducted themselves in
violent and turbulent manner. They would
put masks on their faces, and dress as demons
and ghosts. They wor- shipped Bacchus and
Venus, and INDUCED in every kind OF excess.
The Carnival season lasted from Epiphany to
the close of Lent; but the principal festivities
we're only held during eight days and in some
places only during three days. At the present.
day the Carnival is still celebrated with great
deal of prominence at Rome and Venice.
At the latter place the Carnival begins shortly
after Christmas, and consists OF a series Of bar
lesque performances, balls masques, professions
on the plaza, and, when princes are in attend
ance, by Teeattas and races. Formerly a second
Carnival was celebrated at Venice In connection
with the ceremony OF uniting the DoRe of
Venice with the Adriatic. The Carnival at
Rome lasts eight days, and consists principally
of a series of masquerades and races. In Ger
many the Carnival is snl prominently in vogue
among people inhablting the lands on the
Rhine, especially at Cologne. The term car
nval is derived from the Latin words cGrBe cate,
because it prohibits the consumption of meats.
The Carnival resulted from the saturnaas of
December, and were introduced by them among
the Christians. From Italy these Christian
saturnalas were introduced IN all EuroDean
countries, and especially in Germany. From
the mummeIies of the Germans during the
Carnival season originated the drama, At
Nurpburg the. first Fastnacht plays we're pre-
sented by the Master Singers" (Mester
Saengerl The Fastnacht plays resembled the
Orieinal farces among the French and the masks
Of the English.
Balls Mosques Their Origin.
Balls Mosques are of ancient origin, dating
further back than the Carnival. The court and
society balls for centuries past have been
arranged en- nldsqote in Europe. The combna-
ton of the Carnival and Bal Masque occurred
at the Paris balls first about fifteen years ago,
and since that time the Carnival Bal Masque
has grown into such favor that II Will pro obably
never be discarded again.
The Carnival Balls Mosques In Paris This
Season.
The first of the masquerades at Paris this
winter was given on Christmas eve. Notwith-
standing that the worst things in the world are
said of this pandemonium, almost everybody
makes point OF attending it, either openly or
Glandestinely. 1t is in the interior of the boxes
where the greatest interest is centred in an un-
known visitor; and 1t i3 there where mystery
reigns. If it were permitted to remove the
masks, certain personages would be met there
whore presence would cause no small amount
OF astoDishment to individuals OF both sexes.
The assembly at these gatherings is this year as
motley as usual. Simpletons and grown-up
babes, in what the French call summary
dresses mluele with Persians and Chinese. By
L06-Wdy, the ldJIST are SSpeCtdllV SOuR0G AFTER.
the opinion being that persons who have made
long voyages for the purpose of gaining instruc-
tiOn must be the most agreeable takers. Toe
MOntezumas were dull and heavy-Guatimosin
was not TO be seen. Veritable Turks in black
dress coats crowded to see the fictitious Turks
in the turban. The Egyptian walked with
a solemn step amidst the crowd, through
which he with difficulty made his way. There
was a time when the most elite of Partisan
society were more extensive patrons of this
masking and mumming;" but then there were
fewer OF those magnificent masked gatherings
which are now given every year at the Tuileries
at some of the Ministries, and at private hotels
The polite world who have access to these balls
may be pardoned for neglecting the peculiar
male and female society which go to the granC
opera on Saturday nights. The shop boys anC
travelling strangers, and young ladies who are
not accompanied by their mGmmas, can ONLY
deck themselves out with the dingy, faded finer
which they hire at the CostHme shop of one o
the children of the tribes. This costumed mob
who hire their gay attire at a comparative
small cost cannot, of course, be compared witt
the wealthy polite world, who sport historical
correct dresses, at the cost of many hundreds O
francs. Nevertheless, the public masked ball
m Paris, owing to the immense number c
strangers, especially Americans, are this yea
very numerousy attended, and the restaurant
other places of masked festiVity are crowde
with people who do not hesitate to eXpend larg
sums of money on luxurious suppers.
The Grand Carnival Bal Masque Las
This was decidedly the best ball of the kin
we have ever witnessed, and was far superior
any entertainment that has ever been given
those noted caterers, Messrs. Abel a Risley, VIII
have regularly furnished the TerDsichorea
amusement each year with success that hi
been really remarkable.
The Directory.
Mandgers-John c. Risley, Peter e. Abel an
Harry G. Risley.
Floor D1reotor-Mr. Charles W. Smith.
DTectelT Ddnsdnte-ProfessOr l.. G. Mariui
Musical Director-Proiessor Adolph Birgfeld
The Decorations.
AS usual, the parquette of the Academy W
foOred over, so that, with the stage, an eXte
sive dancing floor is formed. This floor W
covered with an imitation of tessellated tilin
diamond.shaped, of white and blue parchme
the whole pasted to the flooring. In Il
centre was a vast red ball. surrounded by bo
ders of white and blue. In the centre OF tn
ball the figures ,,,...
appeared as the only device of this beautf
Advancement. This was much admired by a
and was executed in the highest style of model
who designed and laid the tessellated tile.
was employed during the whole OF yesterday
completing his portionsot the work, assisted
twelve auxiliary artists.
The stage setting aud scenery were under Il
care of Mr.. Charles Higbee, the scene~wright
the Academy. In the rear OF the stage "
placed the "Canal OF Venice scene, from
erettd Borgid, representing the palace Of Of Z
nope-the canal in front with magnihce
0Osdola, lit up, floating in the canal. The 81
sets were the ballroom arras frOn Les Yep
ociiennPs very neatly arranged.
the stSge was we'll lighted by eight addition
ehaDdeIieIs which produced ppoD the who