The New York herald., 1871-02-14
A CAPITAL CARNIVAL.

A CAPITAL CARNIVAL.
The Coming Pageant M Wasilington-A Mas
querade Procession, A TsUrnumeur, Races,
Balls, &c., Ssc.-Adr,irable Arrangements
OF tkc C0mmiitee-The Biggest Thing of the
Year.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 49, 1871.
The all-absorbing topic this city Just the
ree carnival which is to be held the Goth and
21sr OF the month The idea originated in the fertile
brain Of Mr.. A. II. Sheppard or this city, who en-
listed the sympathies OF several prominent business
men in the project. public meeting was held, the
matter discussed and voted feasible, an organiza
ton effected, committees appointed and all went to
work with will. room was chosen for the head
quarters OF the Executive Committee, the services Of
energetic and responsible citizen secured gene
raj secretary, and then the arrangements
for the details began. The time chosen
was before the adjournment Of Congress. in
order that visitors from abroad might have chance
to see the legislative bodies in session, as well as
participate ia the festivities. The next point TO be
made was to secure reduction OF fare on all the
railroads. In this the committee have succeeded
even beyond their expectation, nearly every one OF
the railroad companies connecting with routes lead
ing to tae city having agreed TO issue
HALF FARE TICKETS,
good for ten days. by this means citizens from the
West, North and South will have good opportunity
of visiting the capital. Having secured the reduc-
ton in rates, the committee determined, as far
possible, to protect strangers from exorbitant
charges, and accordingly sent circulars TO the prin
cipa hotels and boarding houses asking that state
ment OF the number Of persons they could accom-
modale and The charges per day be sent them.
record OF this is in the possession Of the CON-
mlttee, and on application to headquarters will be
shown strangers, in order that they may know ex-
actiy what the charges Of the different places are
aud govern tnems selves accordingly. The Commit
tee on Decorations at once went to work bust.
ness-like manner. They propose mat on both
nights OF the fete the entire from the Trea
sury 10 the Capitol shall be Illuminated. Tney have
had branch burner with seven jeis made for each
OF the lamps the avenue; ten thousand linen
Cninese lanterns Will be strung along he distance,
banners. flags ana embiems viii be stretched rSm
tree calcium and electric lights viii be used,
the business houses aud dwellings, along Pennsyl.
vania avenue Will complete the fancy scene. AT the
corner OF sixth street and the avenue
A MONSTER ARCH
Is in process OF erection. II Is single span OF
l2o feet the beng ninety feet clear from the
ground. 1t VIII be fest0oned with appropriate de-
signs, surmounted with an American nag and lumi-
mated wltn thousands OF gas jets. brilliant pyro.
tecnc display has also been arranged for each night,
New York irm. they comprise a NUMBER OF new,
original and appropriate designs, the concluding re-
presentation one night being grand representation
OF washington on horseoacs, ana the other night
temple OF liberty with fulisized figure OF the i'm
mortal father OF his country.
The Committee on Masquerade have determined
that their portion OF the celebration shall exceed any
similar affair ever given IN the United States. They
have hired and had manufactured three thou
sand costumes, and are sure that each one Of them
VIII be used. The costumes comprise every conceiya
bic comic or crolesque idea winch could be sug-
gesIed. There Will be maskers ON foot, mashers in
carriages and maskers on horseback. All the Ger
societies have been invited, and will give
presentation OF the inauguration oil the female Pre-
sidens III 1873. There VIII pe guard OF honor con-
sisting OF infantry, cavalry and artillery, all attired
fItA -
course, TO be the ambitious Mrs. WoodnulI, wll be
mounted in triumphal car, surrounded by any
number OF counterfeit sixteenth amendments,
TIE CARNIVAL PROCESSION
will be preceded By a battalion Of amateur police
10 In number, rugged out IN ial uniform, with =,
be pe!sonated by laos ranging in age lrom len to
fifteen years and IN height from three to four teet;
then there will be Mother Gooses melodies the old
woman who lived in shoe Mother Hubbard and
fairy sgectacies, with which the Imagination OF
each citizen mas been familiar since the heyday OF
youth. There will be carpet-baggers SherDan's
bummers, capitol movers and an endless variety OF
single masks. The equestrian exercises VIII be held
between the hours OF two and four each day. and
Will consist OF trottng matches show Of fine stock
aud eoTipages aud such otner exercises as may be
suggested. For these II was thought best not to
oler purses, but instead NUMBER OF prizes such as
line buggIcs gold and silver mounted harness robes,
blankets, whips, &c. Another feature win be
A GRAND TOURNAMENT,
IN which young calliog themselves knights,
from Virginia, Maryland aaJ the District will par
ucipate. 1t VIII diner from the ordinary tourna-
ment IN that instead OF ttIng Tor single ring the
Will nave Ito go 10r' tnree OF them. his
will be followed, Of course by the orthodox custom
of GROWING the Queen OF Love and Beauty the
whole concluding with select ball. During the two
days The entire city will be enlivened by grand
chestra. All the bands in the vicinity have been
engaged for the OCCASION and such as are not In the
procession Will be stationed at given points and dis
| course choice music. There will De
TWO GRAND BALLS
given under the direction OF the Executive Commit
/ Tee, one q full dress civic and the other masque
/ Tade The tickets 10 each OF these are to be sold
only by subscription ana both promise TO be exceed
| ingly brilliant. In addition TO these number Of
other balls will take place, the most prominent of
which will be at the CorcOran Art Gallery, the pro-
| ceeds to be devoted to the washington monument
| fund. Among other incidents will be the military
procession and review by General Sherman, the best
drilled and equipped organization to receive q stand
| OF colors valued at $1,000. or that amount In
money, as they may elect The intervals will be filed
up with goat races, foot races games OF various
| kinds for all OF which prizes have been offered.
In order that opportunity Of witnessing the sight
| may be afforded at every available point raised
seats will be erected. To these small fee sufficient
to cover the cost win be charged. number Of dis.
tingushed visitors have been invited TO become the
guests Of the city during the two days, and many o
ton The cost OF the AFFAIR will be about $4,000
and there is no doubt but that 1t will be rich trea,
fer all who attend. The afternoon OF both days Will
be observed as holiday, the departments and
schools being closed, and number OF business
houses, including all the banks have agreed to close
their places OF business at twelve O'Clock each day
ANTICIPATING PEACE.