New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-01-24
CHIT-CHAT.
Why we are TO have no Mnrdi Gras Pro.
cessfons-St. Charles Avenue.

Why we are to have no NInrdi Gras Pro-
cessiOns-St. Charles Avenue
For the first time in years the usual
Mardi Gras revelries of this city are to be
omitted. Various causes are assigned for
this, among which are the depressed fnan-
cial condition, both public and private, OF
this community; the bad effect it would
have on public opinion at the North, to see
'down.trodden Louisiana" capering through
the streets, arrayed in motley, and
spending thousands on her yearly carnival
spree; the fact that as for as bringing
money and business to the city, the Mardi
Gras mummeries are Ineffective and other
reasons of like character. One cause,
however, which might be assigned for this
abstinence, is not, namely, that we are
heartily ashamed of the disgraceful state
of our streets and roads, and do not desire
to expose their beggarly condition to the
eyes Of strangers. Tne first thing that Wis
itors to strange city wish to do is to take
a ride, to roll through the principal streets
and thoroughfares, looking at the
fine residences, and enjoying the
sight of other equipages filed with
well dressed people Upon learning that
we possess thoroughfare known by the
name of st. Charles avenue, continuation
of the street of that name, extending from
Tivoli circle to the Carrollton gardens,
distance of more than five miles, what
| could be more natural for visitors than the
desire to take drive through 80 sOnorOusly
named an avenue, connecting spots so
attractively designated. Tivoli circle, how
| the very word "TiVOli" excites the imagi-
ration Carrollton gardens-in the plural,
| t)o-nOt one garden merely, but gardens"
| ST. Charles avenue 1t is impossible to
resist such attractions; 80 a carriage is sent
for, large open carriage, with &c" springs
and snowy driver who "knOws the city"
This jehu consents, with knowing grin, to
take the ladies and gentlemen out st. Charles
avenue to the Cerrollton gardens. Unhap-
PLY, cOnfding strangers, too soon the
1 nature of their undertaking begins to dawn
upon their minds; too soon the peculiar
| features of this grand avenue force them
selves upon their attention. AdOlphus and
SophrOnia on the front seat, being lovers,
find at first the humping which occasions
such frequent and delicious contact very
delightful, though not exactly the sort of
pleasure they came out to enjoy. Repeti-
ton, however soon satisfies even their in
tatuated minds that a iudicious exercise Of
will and fOrethought in such matters is more
desirable than to be tossed into each others
arms by the agency of rutty, hOley, abOmi-
nable roads; while papa and mamma, in the
back seat, after mastering their feelings as
long as possible on account of Adolphus,
finally break into murmurs, which, on the
part Of pater familias have a strong kin,
ship to oaths. A thump still harder than
any before experienced, Just as the attention
of the party was engaged by an elegant
mansion, caused the almost exhausted pa
tience OF even the adoring Adolphus to give
way completely.
! ais this c0nfounded road the only way tC
get to those'-here he gulped arexpletive-
"Carrollton gardens"
"This is the best road - coolly replied the
driver. So they go on, passing by drayt
sunk in the mud, wagons that have lost q
wheel or two, cursiug drivers whipping
their exhausted hacks, but not a pleasure
carriage do they meet, and those compelled
by business to make their way along this
wretched, penetential road look at Oui
party with an expression of surprise and
pity, as people look at the insane OIL
wretches undergoing torture.
To describe the condition of St. Charles
avenue SO as to give realizing sense of itt
vileness is simply impossible To say that
there is not one square yard of 1t passable
except the three squares of new pavement
near Louisiana avenue, and the square in
front of Mr.. Hernandez residence, is tC
convey not the faintest notion of its dread
! tul condition. But this may be said, if any
man owes another grudge let him take il
out by putting the offending individual into
a carriage lit may be the easiest the city
liveries can furnish) and have him driven
at an ordinary pace the whole length of the
Nicolson pavement ON st. Charles avenue
He will be quits with his enemy, no matter
what his Offense.