The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-03-07
MARDI GRAS.


MARDI GRAS.
From the Ee,o Orleans Republican.
Mardi Gras, or Shrove Tuesday, the day
before Ash Wednesday, is upon us with its
feast Of merriment and good things. The
weather is good, yea, delightful, and every
thing gives goodly promise that the feast
that Immediately precedes the fast of our
church people will be joyful occasion to all
who enter into the festivities with Christian
spirit. A very large number of persons from
all sections of our country have been attracted
to New Orleans this year to witness the
amusements of this day, and it is to be hoped
nothing will occur to mar the pleasure that
should be in store for all. In other countries
the festivities that precede Lent are observed
to a much greater degree than here, many
days being enumerated as days of enjoyment.
In Rome the fast of Lent, which continues 40
days, is preceded by feast of three days,
called the carnival. This says an
eminent writer, is the origin of the present
carnival or FdSchings as 1t is called in the
south of Germany, and which continues in
that country from the twelfth day to Ash
Wednesday. The name carnival is derived
from the Latin words CdrHe and gGlc (accord-
ing to Ducange, from the Latin denomination
of the feast in the middle ages, ca17le cranaen),
because, at that time, people took leave of
flesh. Previously to the commencement of
their long abstinence, men devoted them
selves to enjoyment, particularly during the
three last days of the carnival. The carnival
is nothing but the SdturRdtid of the Christian
Romans who could not forget their pagan fes-
tivities. At least it greatly resembles the
SdtuTndLfd, which were celebrated annually in
December, with all kinds of mirth, pleasure,
and freedom, in honor of Saturn and the
golden age, when he governed the world, and
to preserve the remembrance of liberty
and equality of men in the youth of the world.
In Rome the carni val brought to view, in q
lively manner, the old sdtuTRdLid in new
form. During the last days of the carnival
and particularly during the day which pre-
ceded the long FAST mummeries plays, tricks,
and freedom of every kind abounded From
Italy, the modern SdturHdLt0 passed to the
other Christian countries of Europe. The
carnival is celebrated in modern times, with
the greatest show and spirit, at Venice and
Rome. In the former place it begins after
Christmas. The diversions of it are shows,
masquerades, the amusements of the place of
st. Mark, and sometimes, in case of the visit
of the great princes, regatta or boat race.
After this there was a second carnival at
Venice, the Venetian mass, called also the
festival of the Ascension, and the Bucentaur
festival, because it commonly began on
Ascension day. and because the celebration
of the marriage of the Doge with the Adriatic
sea was connected with it. 1t continued four
teen days No character masks were worn
there, except Venetian dominos. The carni-
val at Rome is occupied mostly in masque-
rades and races.
The custom is an ancient and religious one
that belongs to Catholic countries. In former
years, in this city, Mardi Gras, the day that
Immediately preceded the Inauguration of
| Lent, was celebrated in manner becoming
Christian people, all classes entering into
| its festivities with a proper and becoming
| spirit. But for some years previous to the
breaking out of the great Rebellion, the GUS
| tom had become much abused in this city from
| the fact that bad men and women sought to
make it a day of debauchery and crime; and
during the reign of Known Nothingism the day
| was often polluted and disgraced by the acts
| of men who, feeling safety in disguise, did
| not hesitate to murder those who were politi-
| cally opposed to them. 1t is to be hoped
| that better day has again dawned upon New
| Orleans, and that our people will be per.
mitted to again enter upon the festivities
of the day and night of Mardi Gras as of old;
that mirth, pleasure, and freedom may reign
| supreme for the time in remembrance of the
| youth of the world and of their good feeling
for one another. Let their sack-cloth anC
ashes be not rendered necessary to wipe out
crime but to remind them of the time fol
exercising abundantly every species of charity
towards those less fortunate than themselves
A NEW SOUND DUES QUESTION.
From the NJ Y Sun.
A joint resolution recently introduced by
Judge Kelley, and referred to the House
| Committee on FOREIGN Relations callinC