Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-02-08

Hip, hip, hurrahl the King has come
and has taken possession of Memphis,
regardless of the civil rights bill. His
Highness Rex Carnival is no despot,
like Grant and Sheridan; his mission is
one Of peace and fun, and his mimic
reign until next Wednesday morning,
will be regarded as something worthy Of
a page in history. This forenoon the
city was crowded with strangers who
came here to enjoy the %revels, or fourth
anniversary Of the celebration of Mardi
Gras in Memphis, who, like her name.
sake on the banks Of the Nile, is celebra.
ted for her hospitality, gsiety and mag
ni6cence.
AT 2 o'clock this afternoon an i'm
mense crowd assembled on the bluff and
gazed up the river toward the islands
known as che Hen and Chickens, from
which the gilded barge, known as steam
tug Messenger" would convey King Mo-
mus to the landing at the foot of Msdi-
son street. At half-past 2 o'clock Mes
senger'' LOve in sight above the city, and
a puff of white smoke, followed by the
thunder Of a hostile gun, proclaimed
the approach Of the Merry Monarch
and tn doom of our fair city. Answer.
ing cs.nnon from the bluff were the sig
nails which summoned the re:inue and
faithful body guard Of his Majesty. The
iaitF full, fifty in number, arrayed in gor-
geous costumes and mounted upon
ba'tbed steeds, galloped to the landing
ard received their royal master with
proper honors, The escort formed al
Once, and, headed by a martial band
commenced their march to attack the
city gate in front of the Peabody, OF
Main street. The column, cheered By
the populace, moved to Front street, NJ
Front to Poplar, out Poplar to Main, anC
down Main to the Peabody, where thu
closed gate barred the further advance
of the King.
CAPTURE OF THE CITY.
A frown gathered upon the brow of th,
Monarch, aud in a voice of thunder h,
ordered his Grand Pursuivant to tax,
four trumpeters and sound a parley
Mayor League, who commanded the IN
paid city forces, stood inside the gat
and at once instructed the City Heralu
to answer the hostile summons by blow
ing a blast on his trumpet.
Then Garter, King of Arma, strucI
his ancient gong three times, and th,
gate was partially opened to perLsit tn.
City Herald to advance in order to as
certain the cause Of the alarm at tn
gate. Outside the gate the people hat
fraternized with the Kings troops ant
were eager to storm the city. Inside th'
city gate, the Mayor stood surrounds b,
his trusty body guard, the General Coun
ell, and was attended by his staff, the city
oficeholders. The people Inside l9egar
to show symptoms of characterization
and the Mayor wisely concluded to sur.
render without even exercising his
" veto" power upon the proceedings.
When the City Herald in a loud voice
exclaimed, "Who thus comes to obtain
permission to enter into our ancient and
noble city of Memphis2"
And the Grand Pursuivant of King
Menus answered in thunder tones:
THE Great King of the Carnival de
mands admittance into this, his ancient
and loyal city, in which to hold high
carnival, and in order that harmony,
peace, pleasure and fun may prevail
during his reign, he calls upon his trusty
Mayor to deliver up the keys of the city,
so that His Majesty, his court, courtiers,
attendants, and thousands of subjects
may enjoy all the Freedom desirable
during the Grand Carnival
And the Mayor seeing that all was lost,
sadly said: Let the gates Of the city
be opened"
The City Herald cried out aloud:
"Open wide the gates and let the Great
King of the Carnival enter herein, thai
his trusty Mayor League may to him de.
liver up the keys of the city"
Then a cheer broke out and the gates
opened wide, so that King Menus ant
Mayor League could meet under the
portals, amid a grand flourish of trum
pets.
When this had come to pass, the King
ordered his proclamation of amnesty tC
be read.
PROCLAMATION BY THE KING OF THE
CARNIVAL.
Twelve months have rolled around oui
Terrestrial Kingdom; twelve months Of
care have wrinkled the brows of oul
loyal subjects since it was our sovereign
pleasure to visit our favored city o
Memphis; but eur imperial heart is
great, our generosity unlimited. Let our
people hear, and give ear to our edict.
This is Mardi Grss Eve; we are
escorted by our Royal Guard; we revisit
our city of Memphis. We command oui
servant and Suzerian, the Loyal Mayor
to surrender the keys of the city, AND
with his Council and High Dignitaries tC
receive our Imperial party; and We
hereby suspend his official powers during
our regal sojourn.
We ordain that Msrdi Gras, February
8, 1875, be set apart asa day of pleasure
festivity and gorgeous psgeantry, anC
we extend our princely bidding to al
the people of our realm.