The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-03-02
LETTER FROM MOBILE.
MOBILE, Feb. 27th, 1873.

The aliabsorbing topic of conversation
here for two days past has been the Mard
Gras festivities. The. day was more uuiver-
sally celebrated than ever before, and the
mummery was Witnessed by dense crowds OF
| people There was no concerted programme
each individual masker following the bent of
bis own humor, and pursuing the even tenor
OF his own solitary way. They began to ap-
pear at an early hour in the morning the
youngsters, at first, having it all their own
way. By noon the streets were thronged with
| mummers of all ages, sexes and conditions,
displaying every conceivable absurdity of cos
| tune, and representing every nation under
the sun, and vexing the air with their discord-
| ant noises from all sorts of unmusical and mu-
| steal instruments. The utmost good humor
and jollity prevailed throughout the day,
| there being not even semblance of riotous
| conduct. But when night closed upon this
confused throng of jewellers, the expectant
thousands that filled every street and balcony
and window, eagerly awaited the appearance
| of the night pageants-the professions of the
| Mistic Societies. The elder society, the Order
| of Myths, selected their theme "Shakes-
| peare and the Creatures of his Imagination"
The design was happily conceived, as it ap-
pealed at once to the understanding and the
sympathy of the spectators. But cannot
give you better idea of the display, than by
condensing the excellent report of the Register.
The procession comprised several cars, and
two or three groups of horsemen. On the first
car, as the central figure, was Shakespeare,
looking really life-like; the head and face,
both in form and color, and in pose was CAPT
tai reproduction. Around him were grouped
Lear Macheth nd hia Oman Hon1af Othal1o
Richard Ill, Iago, Romeo and Juliet. Each
of these characters was excellent in concep-
ton and in the detail of it's carrying out.
Following this horseback were Julius
Caesar, Brutus Cassius and Casca, all brilliant
in armor and ready for the field. On the Sec
ond car were those quarre1ling couples, Kath-
crime aud Petruchio, and Benedick and Bea-
trice with the two Antipholi and their at
tendant Dromios. Some of the dresses on
this car were the richest conceivable, that of
Petruchio being specimen of perfect taste
asd splendor. On the third car was Prospero
holding by his wand the tricky sprte" Ariel, |
and Caliban the frecked whelp, hog born"
Near these stood Macdutf, Mercutio, careless,
courtly aud fine and Laertes in brave apparel.
Following, on horseback, were Fat Jack Fall |
staff Prince Hal, Bardolph and Pons. On the
1OuEtu StOOu Suyioch, III SaDeTulHe anu uaG,
the Duke of Venice in rich robes, Portia in
court attire, and Antonio, Bassanio and Ora
tiano. On the fifth car stood Ancient Troy as |
writ by Shakespeare. Here were Priam,
Hector, Troilus, Paris, Ajax, Achilles and Uly-
sses, ali in armor, and exceliently appointed
in dress and weapons. Following them on
horseback were Alcibiades, tho Prince of |
Tyre, Cymbeline, and Titus Andronicus. On
6
and the golden armored Antony, Octavus
Cesar and unlucks Pompey. On the seventh
and last car were warike Thcseus, and his
amazon-ove Hippolyta, Titana sleeping heav
lily while Bully Bottom, all translated, leaned
over her to wait her waking. On either hand
were royal Oberon and his obedient fairy -hench-
man, Puck. Such was the street pageant of
the Order of Myths, conceived happily, born
in beauty, and received with open arms by the
tens of thousands it's simple yet rich beauty
charmed ut first sight.
The H. S. S. youngest of the Mystic Sister
hood selected their theme I" Castles in the
Air." On the first car, representing "Youths
Conception of Life" appeared a school boy
reclining in a rich throne, with his dog Tray
at his feet. Around him were grouped all the
characters that the youthful fancy can ina
Sluo. AuSSlS, lewis, AoeIS, " diIioEs, AoFciS !
and millionaire. In front rode the Jack of
Hearts and the White Elephant. The second
car represented the Convicts Deliverance,"
the condemned reclining, while suspended
over him little angel with outstretched
wings and imploripg hands-around him, on
horseback, were the Sheriff and guards of the
prison. The nexG car represented the "Old
Maids prayer" Here was richly dressed
bride surrounded by various characters,
among whom were swells and tops in atti-
.udes of devotion, cupid etc. The following
car represented Ambitions Trance" fe-
male character arrayed in silk being seated on
! throne supported by four men. Around were
grouped famous warriors in rich costumes.
The last represented g Our Dream in 1861"
Here were all the emblcms of war, and repre-
sensations of the Confederate States, Uncle
Sam and all the great nations of the earth.
This pageant received much commentator as
t was well conceived ind happily illustrated.
Such is brief SIX etoh of our Mardi Gras festivi-
les for this year; it would occupy too much
If your space to make more detailed report.