The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-03-11
OLD TIM AT THE CARNIVAL.

JILL 1lun nj ILL Oh AVAs4 AA"
BALLS, PARTIES AND OTHER DO1Ns-M. 4. G.
5 -MARDI GRAs &c.
I Correspondence Of the La. Densocrat.]
New ORLEANS, February 9th, 1868.
Friend Democrats The din aud ex-
element, hurry burly, don't care d.
tear is over, the tumult has dwindled into
a calm and now-we will take backward
look at
THE CARNIVAL WEEK.
10 your readers l need not tell, what
they already know, that the fasts and holy
days of the Catholic Church are well OBJ
served in our city, where so large MAORI
ty of the population are Of that faith, that
the return Of any Of the days observed by
the church always produces marked
effect on the appearance and business OF
the city. AS Lent came nearer people be-
gan to talk about amusements, balls were
set on foot, and even the poorest of us
were bent on having some fun. Last
Thursday night the Dry Goods and Gener'
al Mercantile Clerks Association gave
their second annual ball at the National
Theatre. J. @. Patton, ESQ.,, the efficient
Secretary, sent me neat little card mark
ed complimentary" and as Mac, the
Jolly good fellow who has charge OF the
iron safe of the society, said they were
"going to have gay time," borrowed
Mr.. Ned's coat and brother Charles hat
and put out, for the scene of action
Henry Switzer, the President, met me OF
the door and took me in out of the rain.
Under his kind guidance I was ct home at
once, so we took q smile. When we en-.
tered the ball room there were about one
hundred couples on the floor, the music
was enlivening and the scene was one OF
the most charming have ever seen. The
toilettes were elegant-silks, swiss, laces
ribbons and all the other auxiliaries oil
female beauty and grace, were employed
of the finest quality and in profusion. A
crowd of representatives Of the press were
on hand, for the gentlemen of this associa
ton, are famed for hospitality and good
fellowship. Messrs. James Lee, Q. S
Babcock, Henry Brandt, Charles Brown
and other members, exerted themselves tt
make the time pass pleasantly, and sue
ceeded admirably. With my Carnival sc
we'll began, you will not be surprised t.
hear that I carried it through in style
| Don't let this leak out.)
Balls, parties, weddings, and socia
gatherings have been numerous and al
we'll attended. The grand Jubilee va
was not reached, however, until
MARDI GRAs
dawned upon us bright and clear. 1t ha
been generally conceded that times wer
, dull, money was scarce and the spirit c
revelry was dead. Early in the morning
5 however, people began to go out and wal
: der about to see what was going on j an
S thing. By ten o'clock Clay Statue wa
: covered, the steps and ratings loaded an
t the streets in the neighborhood full Of pei
:, pie waiting to see the sights. Before lon
e the maskers began to come out, and unit
d dark the scene was one Of the widest an
IS most exciting ever witnessed here. A
It ape made great deal of Amusement
70 jumping and running and going throut
If different performances. A tall negro, vii
y stove pipe hat, long tailed coat and CO
1T pet bag hung on broom handle, can
y along and was loudly cheered. He
l. comes troup Of about dozen negroe
y some with banjos, Others with bones, al
e some with carpet bags. The leader b
l. a large blank book, and when they reach
Clay Statue the leader mounted the ra
l. ipgs, called the roll aud made speech.
70 There goes a company Of spirits on hol
,e back, devils with horns, spirits Of all colo
it a gotesque medlay OF characters. HI
- ore several women in fancy costume, Sol
Of dressed as men and playing the gallant
D. the others, and now comes crowd
er children, romping, whooping and yelli'
8. all in mask and enjoying it hugely. N
ut comes band Of negroes, with drur
h bones, horns, cymbals and banjo, maxi
~ all sorts of unmusical sounds. Several
~ them have carpet bags and look as Il
81 had come to stay awhile. 1t would tt
~ too much Of your valuable space to not
at all of the strange, interesting, grotest
49, and handsome characters that paraded
49, streets. The actors were continus
~ changing, and the fun was big all day 10
Towards evening the crowds began to g.
stationary, ladies and children looked
II seats and men for good standing places
The throng was very great and the (
,,o arriving every minute from up and do
raj town brought fresh additions oil the tt
or, There was something more expected,
X: although every one knew it would be he
~ ~ before that something came, they wal
to with patience, and the best Of good fee
the prevailed. They were waiting to see
m mysterious company, whom everyb
est likes, yet nobody knows, the famous
of| MysTICK KREwE OF C0MUs.
'of "That's one Of EN-" said young