New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-12-31
THE KNIGHTS OF MOMUs.



Last Mardi Gras the Mistic Krewe Of
Comus presented one of the most highly
interesting and artistic displays that ever
mummers INDUCED in. The subject was
the missing Link an embellished eKtrsv'
aganza on the Darwin theory Of the origin
OF man. The poem. for poem it was and is,
was written by q journalist Of this city, and
so superbsthat 1t would indeed be strange ii
it did not bring to the surface some second
hand brain to travesty it.
The travesty has come and will appear on
our streets tonight, produced by number
of men who call themselves the Knights OF
Momus, or some name like unto that, and
whose excellent motto is "Dum vivlmus
vivamus"-whilst we live let US live. OF
course, when one lives he is not dead, but
of this late day.
Tonight, on ths occasion of this assOcia-
tion making its annual display parade, the
subject will be, "The Coming Race" faint
imitation of the Missing Link, which turned
its tale on two occasions-once in New Or
leans and later in Houston. The represen-
tation to. night will consist of nothing more
than about fifty trausparencies, carried by
disguised men. Who they are or why they
attempt to follow III the footsteps of illus
trious predecessors is more than the send
men" in negro minstreis would undertake to
answer.
The transparencies, as we saw them in
the third story of brick building, aided
by the use of powerful field glass, are
artisticaily painted on six cent white cotton,
stretched on strong wire frames, in appro-
pirate colors. Broomstick poles will an
swer for handles, so that the pictures will
be sailed so high that even the shortest boy
will be able to view them with critical eye,
even though he have cubstOne seat.
We shall be regaled with the representa-
ton of a what-d'ye-csllit, in the deformed
form of man from the coming race, who
will be cheat on shoemakers, for he has
but one leg, and consequently only one foot.
Another monstrosity will have only one
eve, and that in wrong position. Another
will be composed partly Of vegetable and
partly of animal substances Some will be
of human and brute combination, while
others will possess traces of metallic,
vegetable and animal origin. Birds, beasts,
men and tools will be tumbled together in
one nonsensical form, all painted on cheap
white cotton, brilliantly illuminated by a
tallow dip or bright particular star
snatched from the blue dome above for
this particular occasion only-cOpyright
secured-and can be seen at the best barrel
house head of Canal street on New Year
day; price five cents.
The entire affair, as far as the reporter g
opera glasses would permit him to see at
the distance of across one street, will not
add greatly to the glory Of New Orleans
mimicry, and citizens are advised of this
fact to prevent them leaving their homes
uDguarded tonight simply to view what
they will decry after having seen.
This city can boast of several sound or
ganizations which make successful efforts
to bring people aud capital hither, but the
Knights of Momus must hire more brilliant
brain hereafter if they wish to shine in the
ranks of masked displays.
Now that we have warned our readers of
what they may expect, they will not be dis
ppointed to the degree they would have
0 cen otherwise.
u The Coming Race" is not good