Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1874-02-26
The CARNIVAL SEASON.
Mnrdigras III Now Orleans.

| W. VnuNsUde VeROOUs
! Mnrdigras III Now Orleans.
New ORLEANS, Feb. IL, 1874.
The end of the carnival season is at
hand, the city is crowded with people
to witness the festivities and procession
and from every public building and
flagstaff Hoat the royal banners of the
king. Before the war the carnival
was celebrated here with all the fervor
Of the hot southern blood; and since
with each succeeding year the attrac-
ton and interest has grown more and
more, until this Of 1874. when it. will
eeelninste IN one Of che gunaestg dis:
p!ajs ga <itnea;ed ID lHs contiuent
/ J TAE cSss1vAL u Asos l.
properly begins with the first of the
new year.. whose advent is greeted by a
night procession Of what i, known as
the knights Of Momus / the festivities
increasinglin fervor until they end in
the wild whifl of the grotesquc and
merry parades Of Mardigras, (tat
Tuesdsy,o 50 called I'm Francs. tn.
'favorite child Of the Church, because it
Ais followed by Ash w etinesday, usher
ing III the solemn season of Lent The
carnival Is OF heather origin, and was
generally accompanied by great sex-
cesses. Among the Greeks and Ro-
mans and the southern nations Bacillus
the God Of the Grape or Wine, was
honored on this day, which was
especially set apart for his honor.
These festivities having taken root in
the hearts fthe people were continued
in a modified form, even after the
establishment of Christianity among
them, and although not celebrated in
honor Of heather gods, they have
descended to our day, and are enjoyed
with 80 much zest that they are looked
forward to for months.
THE NEW ORLEANS CARNIVAL.
In our city, settled as il was by
emigrants from the southern States of
Europe. where these carnival festivals
were observed with the greatest en-
thdsiasm, it is natural that they should
have bfen continued here, although
comparatively unknown in some north
ern cities Of the Union. The great
humber Of residents of New Orleans,
who belong to the Catholic and Episco.
palian Churches, iii both Of which the
season OF Lent Is observed with much
solemnity, tends also to the develop.
ment of the festivities of time which
prscedss 1ne ofsaHnaehce and ausietity
Since time immemorial,. 50 long back
that the nenoiyiof the aoIdest inhabit
tant" runs not TO the contrary, it has
been customary for the people of the
Crescent City to give themselves over
to mirth and festivities on
MARDIGRAs.
Years ago inaskers appeared on the
streets in every conceivable costume,
and on feveral occasions pro-
q
cessions Of quite an imposing charac
ter paraded the streets. Boys went
around with sacks of font and lime
covering those they met, and these
practical jokes descended into such
fnfianism that fot . time the people
discouraged the observation Ct the day.
In 1855, however, the day received its
crownihg glory, which has since made
it, festival celebrated all over the
continent, that being the date Of the
first appearance Of the justly celebrat:
ed mysterious and always welcome
1fsrIck xREwr or coMrs.
Fof some weeks previous whispers
Of such m organization we're heard,
and the invitations issued to grand
ball, whirh closed the festivities, made
these certainty, and The town was
in quite : fnrofs Of excitement. The
eventfll night came, and the triumph
.-vaS ~<,s,s,>IeAx.l - 5000 - ~ 7-l.1