New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-02-17
MARDI GRAS,

This annual festival, which delights
the children and makes children Of grown
folks, is again upon us, and gives promise
of its usual riotous gaiety That it has
so long withstood the influence of Ameri-
can genius, which is sober and utilitarian,
shows that it possesses some vital elements
OF attraction stronger than mere custom,
for though it could never have sprung up
among race other than Celtic or Latin
origin, it is eagerly enjoyed by all brought
within its exhilerating influence.
J What is this attraction! How is it tina:
grave middle-aged men. absorbed in the
| harrassing cares Of life. are willing to
throw aside their serious ayocations for
this day. and either play the foo! them.
selves Or enjoy the foolery o: others.
! Some have attributed the character Of
unbridled gaiety which marks this day to
| the artful management or kind considera'
| ton Of the ancient Church which sought.
! by endowing it with unbounded license.
to reconcile her children 20 the restraint
! and privatioH Of the forty days Of Lent
which Immediately follow it. But in
Great Britain. before the Reformation. the
eve Of Asi: Wednesday was kept as Gay
Of penance and preparation for Lent as its
name. Shrove Tuesday, Indicated. 1t is
still SO kept by p;ous Catholics all over the
world. Ma:ii Gras (Fat Tuesday; its
French points to totally different
view Of its Uses. and totally different
national character in those SO naming it.
Instead Of til. spiritual preparation OF con-
fession. it suggests the very earthly one Of
crowding into these twenty -four hours as
much feasting and worldly enioymen: as
possible.
In Rome. where this spo,tive method Of
keeping it originated. it was mos: prob
ably the old pagan feast Of the Saturnalia.
Christianized. as were many Of the
heather deities and temples. and trans.
ferred 20 spring. New Orleans inherited
from its Southern European origin this
idea Of carniyal--cars; ra'e farewell to
meat--and. except during the war and
few years subsequently thereto. has always
kept Mardi Gras as day Of general Ii.
cense. given up to masking and mum.
merry.
In saying. however. that il has with
stood the u.ilitarian spiri: Of American
character. we must do so with modifi.
cation: which is. that although this spirit
has not. as yet. abolished the customary
observance Of the day. it has influenced
the nature Of its pageantry. Instead Of q
mere consra CATION Of maskevs. given up
to jollity. as il former times. the process. !
sionists Of to-day have methodized their
mirth. with an eye to business. as may be
seen by the numerous advertising vans
which now form 80 important q par: Of |
the show. Tho evening pageant. how.
ever. under the charge 0: the Mystic
Krewe. still retains its primitive cha-ac-
ter. It is rich and ele;an: display.
taste and libe:ality long
may it zemain SO. The roya! train
Of Rex. above mentioned. i, o: :. more
mixed nature. yet fox the time lie
is veritable king: and the whole town.
gentle and simple. grave an! gay. does
homage to him willing homage fox the
most part. spvinging from, tia: element in
human nature which makes The wises. OF
us sometimes long 70 lay aside his wis
dom for a while. "a little nonsense now
and then is ,elishei by the hes: Of men.
This being SO. it is periap. vel. 70 have
one day Sc: apart .o- SO s.lu.a.y q pur-
pose as geneva! indulgence IL :ro.ic.
1t may leave US the steadie: for :he rest of
the year. Therefore. we ray. reign Rex.
reign Comus: lie: strangers flock to cur
city 20 participate in our Carnival gaiet:es.
and while they helpu, to play the fool.
may they pay wei! fox the privilege. Since
fun and funds both follow. 20: this Gay a: !
least. let us eSclam with the melancholy
jacques, Motley. youc only wear