The New York herald., 1871-02-21
L Hundred Thousand Strangers
on the Avenue.
FESTIVITIES, FRIV0LITIES AND Fun.
1omus and Gambrinus Divide
the H0nOrS.
Horse Races, Foot Races, Games, Sports
and Athletics.
Professions, HiuminatiOns and
Grand BAH.

WASHINGTON, Feb 90 1871.
From position on the magnifcent esplanade OF
she Treasury building on Fifteenth street, glancing
toward the Capitol along Pennsylvania avenue, on
that splendid stretch OF street which will compare
favorably with any thoroughfare in Europe for
breadth and scope OF perspective, the spectacle,
which the experiment Of a Washington carnival had
evoked, was a very brilliant one. Picture to your
sef street one mile in length and over a hundred
feet in width, from curb to curb with
the dome OF the Capitol piercing the thin vapors
which arose from the Potomac at one end ana the
Grecian pile of marble known as the Treasury Build
ing at the other end of the expanse; then cover all
the long lines of buildings, here and there leaving
irregular breaks on both sides OF the street, with
flags, streamers and paper lanterns Of every shade
OF every color, and jam both sidewalks with hun
fired thousand people OF both sexes ana OF all ages
and conditions, and then YOU may get faint idea
Of Pennsylvania avenue as II looked to-day. Wash
ington when in repose, Is very dun city Of 120 900
inhabitants, but to-day New YORK, Boston, Philadel-
phia, Richmond Baltimore and Cincinnati, as well
the outlying towns, villages and hamets In q circle
OF fifty miles around the federal capital have added
their quotas OF humanity to such extent that 1t is
believed that the
OUTSIDE VISITORS TO THE CARNIVAL
spectacle NUMBER as many as the entire population
d Washington itself. Brigades and divisions OF
pretty girls swarmed IN the avenues and marched
and countermarched linked arm In arm with their
beaux, casting smiles all around them. There were
thousands Of the colored persuasion in the Streets
enjoying themselves as only the African race can
enjoy when holiday comes TO crafty their senses
Bodies OF mounted police galloped up and down
Pennsylvania avenue with their stout CLUBS
buckled to their hips. and drove the crowds, who
bulged out from the sidewalks in humorous confu-
sion, back from the curbstones. The fronts OF
sc0res 81 buildings the avenue, 10 wnicn the dis.
play was principally confined. excepting at the in
tersectons OF streets which crossed at right angles
looked like upright hover beds. Some Of them
were literally covered with drapery and bunting,
and from every second or third edlnce
wooden baIconies projected, which were also draped
with American flags as welt the flags Of other
nations. In many instances the green flags Of Ire
land, emblazoned with the harp and shamrock,
waved side by side with the Union Jack OF Greut
Britain. All along the avenue number OF
CAPACIoUs STANDS
had been erected capable Of accommodating as
many as thirty thousand people. These erecions
were covered with the usual drapery, mottoes
and emblems, and the visitors were densely
packed upon their unplaned surfaces laughing,
shouting and gesticuatng at the passers by. And
now the readers or the HERALD not IN Washington
may well ask, why and for what has this carnival
been constituted by the good people OF Washing
tonY The ostensible cause OF it all is that Pennsyl-
vania avenue has been newly paved with
very good and solid wooden pavement The
former cobble stone pavement which had been
laid down some years since by the city
au horitieS was utterly ruined by the passage OF
heavy baggage and ammunition wagons over its
surface during the civil war. Therefore the federal
government lately determined to lay down solid
wooden pavement at a gross cost OF 500, 600, and
hence the carnival which began to-day. All the DID,
unSlghty rutS and terrible mud holes have been
covered up. and now tue people OF Washington can
ENJOY DRIVE
which is only SURPASSED by the solid and beautiful
roads In your Central Park.
GROUPS OF MASKERs,
attlred in fancilu costumes, dashed by in all sorts
oi equipages, making Pennsylvania avenue TO look
Ike the Roman Corso or Partisan Boulevard Tor the
time being. Then there were foot races, in which
the men engaged to run In tights actually walked,
which was not wonderfu when they were compelled
TO take into account the run which burned over
seventy eight In the open air at one time. The
finest parade Of the day was that Of the Butchers
During the morning the prominent strangers in
the city, including
TIE FENIAN ExILEs,
were received at the City Hall by Mayor Emery,
who delivered the following address OF welcome:-
GENTLEMEN-To the invited guests present, COM
executives Of Cities the members Of the Press
from various portions OF the country and the repre-
We tender you cordial greeting on this occasion.
Some months since one Of our enterprislng Jour-
nallsts suggested that general carnival be
held TO celebrate the successful compile
ton Of the wood pavement OF our great
fhorougnfare Pennsylvania avenue. A meeting
was called and 1t was decided by few of our bust
ness men that the suggestion be carried out In
necton with the celebration OF the anniversary of
Nashington's birthday the great founder OF our
city day, trust the American people win ever
delight to celebrate. The repaving OF an avenue SO
much desired by all, gives US an extended
and beautiful drive, unsurpassed, per-
haps, In this or any country. and is
10 US an occasion OF great rejoicing, and
It seems fitting and appropriate to celebrate the
event In such a manner as to make this improve
ment memorable in the annals OF our city. Wishing
" lnaugurate grand carnival OF pleasure and good
feeling between the citizens OF Washington and the
people Of the States, that we may become better
acquainted with each other, we invited gentlemen
from all sections OF the country to join us IN our
celebration, as the capital belongs to the
public. In 1t we all have o common
interest, and in its prosperity and atractveness we
6honld al feel Just pride. Gentlemen, rejoice to
meet you here. thank for tins response to our
invitation, and in the name OF the citizens Of WASH
tngton and IN behalf OF the gentlemen composing
the reception committee, approved by the City
Councils, tender to you, one and ALL hearty and
most cordial welcome to these festivities and 10 the
hospitality OF the city.