Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-02-01
THE NIEMPHI.
Their Card-A Beautiful Work of Art,
Appropriate I'm Design and Exc
cutiOn-A10re Mystery,

During brief space yesterday the sky
was cIOudless, and while the unclouded blue
made all leahess creation lovely, o keen crack
OF thunder was heard Just over Union street,
a most singular document tumb1ed on our
desk, bringing with it a sulphury smell. After
taking 1t to DR.. Hoerner's store, where the
powers of that great analytic chemist were
exerted TO do away with any malignant infiu-
ence that might possibly be connected with
the strengthening package, we were able to
compose our spirits sufficiently to examine
ii with some degree OF calmness. Like
pyramid 1t was triangular, and every
ness that awakened our suspilions. Carefully
cutting an envelope, colored very much near
the shade OF bunckwheat-cakes-why make
IL the color OF buckwheat-cakes unless by
that sort OF peaceful association of ideas TO
do away with the effect of the f1endish smell
of brinstOne7 Carefully cutting the envel-
ope, then, in such manner as TO miss 1t If
it was explosive, and catch IL II II would pay,
we found within another triangularity, but,
this time, ii was white. This suggested inno-
cense and thoughts of the sainted Maria, and
we proceeded with more confidence. ObeItsks
and hieroslyphics appearing upon the seal
of the interior triapgulation, we again
experienced some alarm. A third
triangularity was within this, and
upon il was impressed symbols of an
alarming description. Calling in the aid of
Rabbi Peres the most accomplished oriental
tst in the south, we discovered that the SYM
bols showed the ibis, the sacred bird OF Egypt,
aud the papyrus plant, the 0olnai, of which
the ark was made that tnclosed the infant
Moses. The magic-looktng circles and lines
we found, by aid of our orientalist, meant
PANoUPH. Learning that we began to under
stand what was in hand, and could penetrate
the meaning of the thunder and sulphurous
smell-the document was from the Memphi!
Perhaps the Grand Ouro himself had IL in his
fingers! The thing was beginning to be ex-
citing, but the rabbi abb Gained our our immpetnSsity m
and we opened the interior fold, when, by
peculiar arrangement that evidently implied
some magical connection, we found lying be-
fore us four complete triangles. Each one
was decorated with views in soft and delight
ful coloring. On one appeared pyramids and
kiOsks; on another Arabs on their camels, q
number of palm trees, and view of the
desert stretching on to infinitude. Below was
patra descending it in a splendid boat of state.
In the central triangle is a vast rock, from
whose summit three steeds are starting away
on fearful errands, while all the background
is red with awful flame On the left calmly
seated on a hydra-headed monster, is an In
dian of our own forests, quietly smoR-
ing his allowance Of killikinic. On the left,
leaning upon sphynx-bead, is Momus with
his poupee in his hand. In the center of the
rock is vast Egyptian gatewsy-vithin are
number of the Memphi, introducing a neo-
phitO with all those terrible accompaniments
that are stated to belong to their rites. The
rock evidently typifes the blum in front Of,
or below this city, and the mighty portal the
unknown entrance by which the Memphi
pass within to their awful panouph, to cele-
brate those mysteries which none dare-in
sickness or in health, sober or intoxicated-to
reveal! The whole was an invitation to at
tend the celebration OF Mardi Gras
by the Grand Ouro. Others have received
these missions as well as ourselves, but who
are the inviters? Not a thing betrays who the
Memphi may be. Such mystery, in our very
midst, at this advanced era of science and
civilization, is strange, indeed! We hear
that the packages that arrived from Paris the
other day by the Thompson Dean contained
banners, flags, helmets, lances, head-dresses,
masks, enigmatical designs, and costumes of
the most gorgeous character. The expense,
rua Of rad am tod flnF1 and
dollars, which shows that the Memphi must
be composed of the wealthiest of our citizens.
Mardi Gras, as evidence already proves, will
be grand day-nothing is spared to make its
attractions regal in their extent.