Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1872-02-22
For the Advertiser.

u NtSSN
the Excursion Party" to the much
talked-of "Mardi Gras" festivities, Of
New Orleans. Just here, however, a
brief explanation of the term Mardi
Grasp may not be out of place. 1t is
French term, meaning literally Fat Tues
day, which is the day preceding Ash
Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, du,
ring which season, as we all know, it has
been the lifelong custom of Catholics to
devote themselves to their Church, and
to fasting and penance, refraining entire
ly from all manner of worldly amuse-
ment. And in Catholic countries, this
day, Fat Tuesday, as it is commonly
called, is one overflowing with every
species of unbridled revelry and fantastic
gayety, all of which is greedily entered
into by almost the whole population of
this great Roman Catholic Metropolis,
New Orleans.
AS there is much more to relate, of
greater interest, will pass briefly over
the monotonous journey from Augusta
to the Crescent City, noticing only some
of the fine and striking scenes of nature
that mark the way.
On the afternoon of Friday, party of
us were seated in the smoking car, en-
.joying that greatest of luxuries, good
cigar when some one suddenly exclaimed,
"Stone mountain!" Rushing excitedly
to the window, saw, looming up in the
distance, one solid mass of stone, entire
ly void of vegetation, except in a few
broken spots, through which some stunt
ed trees have struggled. Stone Noun
tain, from the Railroad, is truly a majestic
sight! Passing over the tiresome inter-
vening day, Saturday, we reached Mobile
on Sunday about noon, where we stopped
for an hour. The universal admiration
ofthe party was excited by the beautiful
Bay, which was thickly studded with
handsome steamers plying between this
city and New Orleans. After feasting
while on the beauty of this scene, the
whistle warned US that it was time to
return to the train, so with reluctance we
turned our gaze from the lovely picture.
Leaving Mobile, we passed through a
very low, marshy country, overgrown
with tall grass, frequently coming in
sight of the glorious Bay, and about
sundown large mass of blue, black
clouds hung like huge bird of prey
over this vast waste of waters.
AT o'clock P. M. to the great joy of
all, the whistle sounded for New Orleans,
and in few moments I found myself
rafting in coach through the streets of
this great City, in search of lodgings,
which after much difficulty I succeeded
in finding. After supping and resting
for short time, my companions and
myself walked out for gas-lght view
of the city. We had not proceeded far,
when, horribleto our Protestant eyes! we
behelda brilliantly lighted Theatre, from
which foated sweetest strains of music.
We hesitated for many moments, but
finding it impossible to resist the tempta-
ton, entered, for the first time in our
lives, Theatre on Sunday night. The
Play was very brilliant and exciting,
and ended about midnight.
Monday morning dawned bright and
lovely, and golden sunshine clothed
every object in lustrous splendor as I
found myself in the midst of crowded
streets, vending my way I knew not
exactly whittier. Soon coming in sight
of the tall mast poles Of the ships, di-
rected my steps to that noted river, the
Mississippi, whereI saw vast number
of vessels, steamers, and boats of every
kind and from every quarter. crossed
over to the small portion of the city, onthe
other side of the river, but soon finding
myself disguSted with the iilthiness OF
the place, ! gathered few shells, and
hurriedly returned. The remainder Of
the day I passed in looking around at
the handsome dwellings, beautiful stores,
fine horses and other varied attractions
of the gay city. Here allow me to speak
of the lovely and richly dressed women
that met my gaze i'll every direction.
And about the ladies Of New Orleans
there seems to linger, particularly, a
halo of that most exquisitely delicate and
refined fascination so common to the
daughters Of the South Beast Butler to
the contrary notwithstanding. And by
the way, there is another circumstance
Which T must mention. In the afternoon,
Mr.. DYE of Augusta and myself were
riding out, and calling at the residence
Of relative Of his, we metseveral young
ladies, and III 4 few moments, under the
influence of their refined manners, we
felt perfectly free and easy; and really l
spent one OF the pleasantest hours ever
passed in my life, among perfect stran
gers. Such is the peculiar grace and
suavity of these Southwestern bellies.
On Tuesday, the grand day of days, We
were again greeted by brightness and
sunshine. To-day I felt almost COM
pletcly exhausted, so I walked very
ieisurcly up Canal Street, and after loiter-
ing around till about noon, returned 10
the hotel. BY this time however l found
that the streets were fast filling with
people, and that unless got good stal d
Immediately, and kept it, l would miss
the Grand Procession which was to pa
.ade that afternoon, beginning at two
was to celebrate and enhance more high
lv the gayety Of Mardi Gras. 1t is styled
The Carnival Procession of Mardi Gras,
and Is nothing more, or rather nothing
less, than mimic representation Of nj.
most every sphere OF life and every age
of history. The crowd increased very
rapidly, and long before the procession
came, The whole street, and all the Will
dows, balconies, and every attainable
place, were packed and jammed incon
ccivably. Finally some one shouted
"They Are CoIningp' And then there
was. sudden hush and all eyes were
turned in the right direction, and soon
tho head of tho Procession had reached
the st. Charles Hotel.
1t was divided into five huge divisions,
between each of which marched very
fine band of musicians The whole was
headed by the "King of the Carnival
and his attendants, all dressed in very
gorgeous costumes, with masks. Indeed
the whole Procession was masked.
The first division, headed by the "Lord
of the Yeomanry," was all OH foot, i'll
ranks of four, very appropriately cos
TUNED, and marching to the sound of
magnificent music. The second division
headed DIV the Lord of the Carriages"
consisted entirely of carriages and bug
ues, in which were ladies and gentlemen
representing almost every imaginable
character, allegorical, mythologic;ll and
historical. The third division, headed
by the +" Lord of the Vans," contained