The New York herald., 1869-03-07
Z U r o p z.
SPAIN.
The Carnival in Madrid.


Tne weather has been exceedingly auspicious for
she festivities OF the csrnival-bright sparkling and
warm Indeed, one may count pleasant weather
In Madrid at almost any season Of the year. The
skies seem to be almost always clear, and the sun
runs its daily course unohscured by single cloud.
II becomes trine monotonous this series or bright
sunny days, with an atmosphere as rare and trans
parent as that OF Lima. One occasionally likes
storm for a change. We have them now and then,
but they are quickly over, and the blue sky again
appears end the city and It's barren and gloomy
surroundings are bathed again In nood OF glaring
light. II It was for this brilliant light
j am afraid carnival would not have
been as successful and enjoyable IL has
proved. Under the insidious but genial rays of the
sun in this southern region, every one finds 1t more
cheerful ano pleasant outdoors than within the most
comfortable apartments. We have few freplaces
here, and very Intellectual means OF maintaining
moderate temperature. But outdoors, when the
sun shines may sit and bask in its rays cheaply
and with q degree OF satisfaction that cannot be
described, though as have said, the comfort and
security are deceitful because pulmona and fevers
lurk in these exposed localities.
But was speaking OF the carnival. 1t began
Sunday, the 18th ut, and Madrid has rarely more
people the streets. All the inhabitants that could
STIR were out in their finest holiday attire; those
who could afford 1t, or find conveyance, IN gaily
sidewalks and streamed along the road, full OF
life and animation. From the country
round the peasantry came in clad IN their
best to witness the great festival OF the city folks
Many OF these country cousins were quite as singu-
larry dressed and attracted more attention from
strangers than the grotesque figures that moved
about in the traditional costumes OF the occasion.
One was quaint, curious and natural; the other
oue. but so artificial that they created no more SEN
sation than the king who stalks upon the stage with
purple shoddy. OF course we have had every variety
OF character assumed by the maskers in the magnif
clowns and shylocSs. magicans and beasts Of prey
have been numerous enough, but the performance
an caryas her IN my aood
old times. The maskers as general thing were
dnll' heavy s and , stupid, and evidently very very
oozed away and the densest clouds OF discomfort
and e1i'aa wrapped up The most mercurial tempera-
stupidity and duness that induced to wish the
foolery was well over. The Spaniards do not seem
10 be successful in their attempts at fun. do not
know why, but they are far behind the French and
inimeasurably below the Italians. They lack GER
tam KIND OF vivacitJ and an ingenuity for creating
fun that one observes at Rome, on the Corso or in
Venice. Even the Russian reasantry, so heavy and
stupid, in their peculiar way manage 20 make plenty
OF fun and enjoy uproarousy their rude sports.
do not recall any carnival that afforded more
rare lun tnan enc witnessed In ST. Petersburg two
years ago. THE splendid Admiralty square was occu-
ped by buildings devoted 70 theatrical and musical
entertainments, 10 the exhibition OF gigantic giants
ana hlhputan dwarfs OF traditional cows with i've
legs and horses with two heads and all tlat class Of
ftSftS TtUuTV tndt one ueQuS In country falrS anu
on great occasions that unite rural populations
Itinerant showmen from all parts OF the vast Russian
empire; vendors OF curostes and novelties edible
potaole and useless; migratory focks OF ballad
singers and coveys OF character dancers; bands OF
gypsles from the Don and Volga, with their wild
songs and still wilder and passionate dances; in a
word every class that caters to the love OF anuse-
ent OF the lower public had come together to reap
tnelr harvest OF kopecks and crafty the multitude
gathered in sight OF the Winter palace on the
banks OF the frozen Neva- There were multitude,
oi Drl9nt banners and iags, series Of tre-
mendous paintings depicting in brightest colors
heroic deeds OF every kind, and every other
There were also two three immense ice noun
tains, with their long, blue gstenng road OF frozen
snow and water, down which the men and women
coursed with lightning speed attended by whole
family OF oontretelaps and accidents that would
have debarred less rugged ana manly class from
enjoying the exciting sport. These amusements
were iree to the spectators, who did not enjoy the
rough sport less than the naxen-hafed Doors who
paid their kopecks and ventured on the rafting
course. II was high sport in the afternoon. when
the salow faces Of those people had frightened up
BY repeated potations OF vodka or whiskey and the
crowd became recklessy bold and indifferent to any
skin shubes. would then san down those
snppery ways with carelessness to personal
strangers, but which Seemed ned to anord vast
amusement for the rough, registering crowd. To
popular carousals Ia Holland and germany. the
whole scene was worth witnessing once, because,
genuine fun and amusement about 1t to give 1t
hrst place IN European carnivas
and snow OF the North, with the clear, crIspy,
sparkling exhiaraiing atmosphere and the brilliant
sunlight OF ST. Petersburg, and the event here under
equally favorable auspices, Is decidedly against the
South. Here however, we see no drunkenness,
unpleasant sights Of any kind The Russian fresco
peasantry; the fashionable world is no: seen Here.
on the contrary, all unite In enjoying the season. and
Few cities have finer place for these popular fes-
tiytes than Madrid. The magnificent broad, well
paved street that extends from the Church OF the
Atocha almost 10 the village OF Chambery, nearly two
miles In length, with its shaded walks its splendid
thing desirable. The Salon del Prado and Porado
are the points In which the greatest crowds are
on which the ladies and gentlemen sit watching the
stream OF carriages pass slowly by. In some points
seen @ nsse s seats eat arranged IN SIX and seven
always out In full force and such beauty Madrid
1 IN the @ habit OF boasjag i to be seen on these e
anticipate. BY well arranged plan the carriages
are kept IN line and stream along IN one huge circle
rom the Atochato the top OF the Fuenta oastelana.
the centre Of the fine avenue being kept
open lot horssmen who are out In immense num-
pers ana such carriages as are driven by coachmen
en HasQue. One sees some exceedingly fine saddle
horses ON this road, evidently OF Andaiusian stock
oilglnaiy sprung from the Flemish breed. II IL the
exact thing 70 appear ane horse tins OCCASION
and the Spanish and foreign swes are all out caper-
II one OF them can mount a masked figure behind
him and give few specimens OF the ho,lt scale bu-
sness before dense crowd OF ladies nothing
exceed his delight. IL Is the proper thing to do
One OF the pleasanest features OF the carnival
was the students musical societies, which appeared
In beautiful and rich Zouave costume,
and played and sang. their popular airs. Their
instruments consisted OF violns guitars, flutes and
tamborines which they play exceedingly wei Their
pleasant little concerts the incest part Of the
afternoons pleasures, and were greatly enjoyed by
the people, 0nenbacbs sparkling music was played
with spirit and effect. and frequently some OF his
waltzes were stepped of to by dozen more gay
maskers, who noated around ana displayed their
accomplishments to the intense delight OF the people.
carnival ls great event for the vendors OF pea
nuts oranges aqua ptrd and aqua drdtenfe, cak ~
aenu all soru OF refreshments. The Salon del Prado
was particularly well supplied with little klosks
Wnere everything attractive IL sold, and driv-
ing business s always done great occasions.
'Ihe spanish youth differs little from the American
IN tastes. lie likes roasted peanuts and oranges
fglte az much az the youngster IN the Bowery, and
bs desires are always foreseen and provided for by
The brown, lat old women who attend 70 the xiosks.
during the nights there were number OF masked
nails, the principal one being given NJ the Teatro
@clonal de la opera, when the elite of Madrid