Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-03-03
Corvesb0udeuce.
WRITTEN FOR THE VERMONT PHOENIX.

DEAR PHOENIX We have been having
II grand carnival here to commemorate
Washington's birthday, the reopening of
Pennsylvania avenue, with its new wood
en- pavements, which makes it one OF the
most beautiful drives in the world, and not
only this, but also the spirit of enterprise
which seems to have animated our citizens
to improve the city, and which bids fair to
make Washington the social centre of the
country. As Washington's birthday fell
this year on Ash Wednesday, the two pre-
vious days were selected instead.
Organizations were formed, and money
raised for carrying out the scheme. The
railroad companies issued half price ex-
cursion tickets, and crowds of strangers
came passing into the city, for days before
hand, more so than at any Presidential in
auguration. The places of business were
closed, the department clerks had half hol
idays, and everybody made a business of
enjoying themselves.
The first day opened with trials of speed
which lasted from nine until twelve
o'clock. At its close the avenue was thrown
open for an hour for pleasure riding, both
in carriage and on horseback. Lively as
was the avenue, it is astonishing that hard
ly any mishap occurred At one O'Clock
there was parade Of the fire departments.
butchers union, etc. At 2.25 foot race,
after which came the goat race. Most of
the goat equpages were quite gay. Some
of the sets of harness were gold mounted
and many had fancy ornaments, and the
scene was very animated and exciting.
Prizes were given to the winners of all the
races. But the most beautiful part of the
carnival was in the evening, when Penn
sylvania Avenue was one blaze of light,
from the capitol To the treasury, with gas
jets, calcium lights, Chinese lanterns, etc.
Nearly every house was festooned with
flags or evergreens and Illuminated. This,
together with the grand display of fire
W orks in the treasury grounds, and the
crowds of people in carriages and on foot,
made it truly carnival night.
The second day closely resembled the
first, with the exception of a tournament,
followed by grand masquerade process
sion which formed in the treasury grounds,
in the shape of gigantic u, and proceed
ed down the south side and returned on
the north side of the avenue. First the
Lord of Misrue attended by his satellites,
chief of whom was the gorgeous Prince
Carnival. The procession was headed by
IA band of music. the members of which
were masked Immediately after came
the miniature police, composed of boys in
police uniform, headed by "A gigantic SER
geant. Behind We're a number of maskers
on horseback. Then came Kriss Krngle,
Jack the Giant Killer, followed by his ar
NOR bearer, and the Crowned Heads Of
Europe. Next came queer looking ar
rangement of bottles, teapots, etc, followed
by the old woman who lived in a shoe. In
fact Mother Goose Melodies were well rep
resented. The first female president on
her way to be inaugurated the Capitol on
wheels, and closing the procession were
carriages containing representations of the
President and his Cabinet, who wore their
honors very gracefully. There were up
wards of fifteen hundred masqueraders,
and the spectators laughed until they cried.
The day closed with fire works and an IL
Elimination as on the previous evening, and
a masque ball at the National Theatre, and
civic hall at Masonic Hall. The President
and family accepted the use of the parlors
of the st. James Hotel from which to view
the carnival, and were also present AS spec
tators at the balls. This celebration closes
the gay season, for Lent is now upon us,
but il was such Il noted success that il is
proposed to hold another ono next year.
The weather was very propitious. The
first day seemed more like April than Feb
ruary, but the second day was rather
cloudy and very little rain fell, but not
en- ough TO interfere with any of the ar