The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1875-01-10
MoBILE, Jan. 9TH, 1874.

the mud and slush in the streets the people
haveseemed to have had good time. The fancy
and toy stores have all done thriving business
indeed, for several days they were literally
besieged by people of every age, sex and con-
dition and although the old folks have grum-
bled loudly about hard times, think it would
be hard to convince the little ones that Santa
Claus was poor.
Christmas morning was ushered in by Jupiter
Pluvius, but he conld not iutimidate the de-
vout people of this good city, who filed all the
churches at the early Masses We do not have
Midnight Mass here. that good old custom
having been abolished some years ago. The
number of Communicates in all the churches
was very large 1t raned all day, but old and
young seemed determined not to be cheated
out of their holiday, and SO they vexed the air
with all sorts of dscordant noises to keep their
courage up. Your average American cannot
enjoy himself without being loud.
After the merry Christmas had passed, people
began to watch the clouds anxiously and con-
suit Old Probs. as to the probable state of the
weather for New Years. Eve, as it had been
whispered about that ouS time-honored mystic
societies would speed the parting, and welcome
the coming, year with pageants of unusual
brilliancy. The city was full of strangers
from all parts of the country, and tickets of
invitation to the various tableaux had been in
dustriously distributed amongst them. A
large arch was erected across Royal street, on
one side of which were inscribed the words,
"Honor to Mystics," and on the other, "Wel-
come to Visitors" at nightfall the principal
streets were brilliantly illuminated, and though
the weather was threatening, the muddy
streets were thronged by multitudes on the
tip-tse of expectation. would occupy too much
of your space by making detailed report OF
the brilliant pageants that filed through our
streets in blaze of Bengal lights. can only
give hint of the beautiful scene, and charge
your sagscious readers with the duty of invest
ing it with all the embellishments which their
fsncies can suggest, confident that they will be
unableto point it too richly.
First in order came the venerable Co,vbellion
de Rokin society, celebrating this year their
forty-fourth anniversary. The subject of their
display was "Eras of, Jewish history" and it
was handled in a very mastery manner. just
imagine King David, Solomon, the Queen of
Sheba and her court, and many other of those
"ancient of days." parading the streets of
Mobile, in this blessed nineteenth century
with all the appointments of costume, ETC.,
complete. Following close upon these came
the T. d. s.; what those cabalistic letters mean
is known only to the initiated. They repre-
sented "Eras of Knights Templars" with much
taste and skill, their costumes being particu-
larly rich and correct to the minutest details.
Their procession elected much commendation
from the delighted crowds upon the streets.
Lastly came the STRIKERS Club" celebrating
A..
for their design "Homerio Scenes" represent
ing their characters as living figures of white
marble. Their display was exceedingly chaste
and beautiful. After the societies had passed
through the principal streets, they repassed to
their respective halls, which had already been
crowded with invited guests, and presented
series of effective tableaux. There they min
gled with their guests, aud had a delightful
time quizzing them until the booming of ar
tillery announced that the "silent, solemn
hour had come, when night and morning
met"-that tho old year had departed, and the
new one come-and then their insubstantial
pageants faded into thin air.
Our new city government was inaugurated
on New Years day, and has gone actively to
work. All official salaries have been cut
down twenty-five per cent. 1t is believed, now
that We have entire control of the city. that
confidence in the future will be restored, and
that we shall enter at once upon a new career
of prosperity.
Our time-honored Orphans Fair opened New
Years. Eve night, and will continue through
the present week. The proceeds of the Fair
last year were insufficient for tho support of
the helpless little ones, and the managers have
got into debt some seven hundred dollars. The
various tables are very attractive, and are
presided over by very charming ladies. A visit
to Odd Fellows Hall will melt the heart of the
crustiest of old bachelors. One of the features
of the Fair is sprightly little paper called the
Fairy, edited by your own Father Ryan. am
glad to see its columns filed with advertise
ments by all of our leading business men.
Father Browne, of st. Patrick's Church, has
returned from his European jaunt, and is look