Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-02-23
The CarmivaI-First Day.

III Mc rGi'fOr Of the AlefuHttffd Gazette:
attended the opening Of the Carnival on
Monday in the great city Of magnificent dis
tanccs-According to my humble appreciation,
it was al entire failure.
1t was in all respects small humbug If
did attempt in illustration. | would compare
it to Gen Johnston description of Harper
Ferry in military sense-a funnel that Is
strictly construed, large on the outside but de-
cdcdly small on the inner side; in other words:
very large in its prctensions. but cOntempuby
small in the realization. n line of wire ran
from the Capitol down Pennsylvania Avenue,
upon which were hung numerous flags, bearing
devices unknown in their meaning to the crowd.
They were Significantly small, purposely | sup
pose. to accord with the orr ginal grand plan.
Some buggies were driven up and down the
avenue. but with the exception of 4 few fine
horses, here and there seen. this part Of the
performance was in accord with the rest [
saw what was intended to be the representa-
ton OF Il country cart or wagon drawn by 4
mule led by colored boy, wearing awolfs face,
but unfortunately the negro wore a SLOUGH hat,
which was distinctly shown at the back Of his
head. Some persons were seated on the wagon
making hideous noises, that neither amused nor
excited the crowd. Whilst this was passing u
poor notfenSlve dog came tearing down the
avenue, and this raised shout on both sides:
this was the first amusement The poor creature
ought to he rewarded as having produced the
first agreeable sensation The excitement that
led him to this amablc performance was CAUSED,
no doubt. by the crash of music. q quote from
Chas O. Malley, the Irish dragoon.) never re-
allied the crash OF music before and always
thought Mr.. Lever, the author was devoid Of
taste, but NOW find that he Was correct and [
mistaken had before held to the idea that
music WAS the concord OF sweet sounds, but,
the Marine Band, which performed on Monday,
convinced me to the contrary find | have
Yet to cultivate my tastc-":ic transit gloria
mundi.
The most conmenlablc feature of the day
was the good order that prevailed up to the
time left This may be Inscribed to judicious
police arrangement, or more probably to the
good disposition ofthe crowd am inclined to
give the credit to the latter
Upon the whole, Mr. Editor, the affair, in
all its aspects, WAS Significantly small, not at
all corresponding to the expectations of the
public, land sadly representing the embodiment
OF what is great in this wide spread country,
this best government on Gods grand earth,
whose capitol is located i'll the mcan OF the tenn
perate zone, exactly in that belt OF the globe,
where men Of large stature and large minds have
been produced, where the ruling races Of the
world have ever existed, and where the seat Of
empire has ever dwelt; exactly in hat line where |
Roman energy one. prevailed, and where Attic
wit WAS cultivated to its utmost periection;t from
whelh;c the world has ever drawn it's finest sen
tilncnts, and mankind received the models of
all that is great in literature and art.
| fear from this exhibition that the time is
distant when the scat Of Empire shall be trans
ttrrcd from the banks Of the Thames to the
banks Of the Potomac. Still the Saxon will re-
main master Of the situation, notwithstanding
the poor display of his efforts on this grand
OCCASION SPECTATOR.