The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-02-28
Carnival Day In New Orleans.
TO the Editors OF The Rock Island Argus

dDTOdu, MaSQueraulng pdrueS TepIeSeuI
ing friends, rustics, cavaliers, gods and
demigods increased rapidly in numbers, all
making their way to the great boulevard,
Canal. By ten o'clock the streets were full
Of people, thousands were in mask, thous-
ands were in fancy dresses, and many
thousands more in ordinary dress crowded
the streets or gazed from windows and gal
leries as mere spectators. Flags and ban
ners of every description waved in all d.
rections. Altogether the scene was hides
cribable.
Meanwhile the King Of thecarniyal was
preparing for descent upon the city hall,
for the purpose Of capturing the Mayor
and securing the keys OF the city: The
King surrounded by his court and body
guard was joined by Roi Boabdil with his
grand retinue and also by the Kings
Own" numbering fully GOO men. The
lines were formed in front of the hall and
then the King rode up to the portals where
he was met by the Mayor, bearing the keys
Of the city on velvet cushion. As the
King received the keys the event was sig
nailed by a salute of twenty-five guns and
twenty-five strokes on the bells of the fire
alarm telegraph. Rex next proceeded to
Canal street and at l O. clock salute of ten
guns fred at the head of Canal street
by the Persian artillery, announced the
procession ready to move. Leading the
brilliant throng we're two mounted buglers
who sounded the appropriate calls,a man.
at arms, and after him a Roman gal
ley drawn by four sea horses on the poop
of which was borne the royal coat of
arms and a banner inscribed make
way for the King" The galley was freight
ed with bonbons, which, from time to time,
were thrown out TO the people. Next came
a platoon of police, and behind them rode
the Earl Marshal and his staff, followed
by the State prisoners, and close behind. as
if to guard them, came the Persian Legion,
and grand and beautiful appearance it
made. First the artillery, then the infan-
try. The soldiers wore the Spahi uniforms
The purpose of the Legion was to escort
the Shah of Persia and his suit, and whose
uniforms were gorgeous, his dress being
like that worn on the occasion of his visit
to France and England On moved the
procession, and the standard of Rex APP
preached, followed by four heralds carry
ing immense trumpets; these made way for
the Dukes of the Realm. Behind these
came the Royal body guard, uniformed in
blue pants, scarlet coats and brass helmets,
numbering $50 men, thoroughly drilled.
A portion of the guard formed hollow
square, in the centre of which, mounted on
a superb horse, rode the King of the
Carnival. He was preceded by four her
aids and four pages carrying the regalia of
his court. He was dressed to represent
the Gothic King, Totila. Next came his
court and household and one hundred war
riors armed with lances and dressed in steel
mail and helmets Next was the Lord
Warden of the Tower, followed by the ex-
ecutioner and special guard of twenty
soldiers armed with halberds. Before the
executioner was borne the block all smear
ed with blood, and on the spears of the
guards were carried the CHASTITY heads of
those who had been beheaded in the morn
ing. This ended the personal cortege of
Rex But who is this following him
Surely none other but Boabdil, the en-
chanted king Of Grenada For one day in
each hundred years he is allowed to appear
aud reign. He is magnifcently dressed in
the gorgeous apparel of his times, and is
covered with jewels On either side rode
two Of his sons, dressed in the garb of
Moorish princes. After the king
came his four queens, also on
horseback and presented a picturesque
appearance. They were attended by their
maids of honor carried in palanquins.
Next was Boaddils, courtiers and warriors,
followed by thirty one chorus singers.
These consisted Of the entire troupe
of chorus singers from the French
Opera in this city. They rode in a
large open float, and, at given places, sang
favorite chOruses from various operas
Then followed the beautiful display Of the
King Own, led by their chief. Ipslanti
After this came the Liliputian Bull, and
behind him Missouri's finest specimen Of
the Boef Gras This animal was milk
white OF the Durham species, and weigh.
ed about $500 pounds. He was very docile
and seemed TO enjoy the outfit of ribbons
and garlands that adorned him. After this
came regular potpourri Of foot and
mounted maskers, and maskers riding in
vans, floats, and carriages. In this part
were seen the popular conceptions of the
day. The procession took nearly two hours
In passing, and but one stoppage of a few
moments only. 1t was grand success in
every particular,
The gathering shades Of night found the
streets again filed with people as eager as
if there had been no grand paeeantry dur
ing the day. Now they were watching the
advent of COmus and his Mistick Krewe.
The subject was The visit of envoys
from the old and new worlds to the court
of Comus AT the head of the procession
appeared the King himself, dressed mag
nihcently, as became his state. After him
came Europa, riding white bull. She
has travelling with her, Art. Science.
Peace and Strength. Brittania upon the
deck OF ship is surrounded by maratime
spoils accompanied by ireland. Scotland
and Wales. France is IA female with the
Phyglan cap and tri-color gazing upon the
empire which has become a wreck. Louis
Fourteenth, Charlemagne and Napoleon
inquire III the back ground Germania is
seated upon the banks of the Rhine. with
ITS castles and towers, watching its peace
Jul flow. The heads Of the German race
are OF course on hand Russia represents
the absolute autocrat on his throne. Poor
Poland kneeIs at his feet in chains, a Cos
sack soldier stands at her side and in the
group IS Greek priest Italy was repre-
sented by the representative Of St Peter
holding the keys, bishop aud cardinal.
an Italian brigand and figure represent.
ing Devotion. Scandinavia by,Mytholopv.
Nalhalla, Odin, Thor, Valkerias. beautiful
but humbled Spain appears with the In.
erty cap III one hand and the old roval
standard in the other The struggle he.
tween Monarchy and Republicanism is
lypl9ed by a vessel going down at sea
anu uopicai tornadoes, and touches of
guitar music. One of the old Moorish
race strands at the PROV. The Fandango
danced amldshlps and the Matador is
also at hand. Asia rides upon an elenbont
4 lrIDn nj