Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1875-02-13
MARDI GRAS.
The Keys Of the CITY Surrendered to
HRex.1

The Keys of the City Surrendered to
~Rex..
Rex Carnavali entered our usually
quiet little city on Tuesday last. about
6 p. m. For several days prior to that
many, young and old, were preparing
costumes, etc., for this occasion.
About night fall the King and his 10y
al subjects appeared in procession, on
horse back, mule back, and foot-back,
and exhibited themselves in their queer
outfits to the public, to the delight of
all. After stabling their steeds, all
hands repaired to Franklin Hall. where
the first grand aMrdi Gras Bal Masque
came off. The assemblage had not
been in the Hall but a few moments
before it was convinced that the man
ayers had resolved that nothing should
be wanting, on their part, (taking into
consideration the short time allotted
them in preparing same,) to give be-
coming eclat to the occasion, and most
successfully did they acquit themselves
Of the task. as WAS testified by the
warm and numerous encomiums which
were ELECTED from the gay and elegant
throng. which graced this, their maid
en- ball with their presence. Age for
got its care, and youth wore its sun
niest smile, intellect flashed, and
sparkled, beauty reigned, and fair forms
moved gracefully in the dance. whilst
their power of motion and looks, and
symetry of form and features set the
soul afoat. Blue eyes, and black eyes
and bright eyes, of all colors, forged
chains for many captive, and cast
spell of witching over many heart.
The costumes were varied, unique, and
many of them handsome, while others
were of humorous character. Dane
in was kept up until long past the
witching hour of night, when lovers
part and ghots stray in their winding
sheets.
"Thus sped the round of gay delight,
Where hearts to hope and memory true,
Chased not the hours, but in their flight
Kept pace with moments as they few"
Among the more noticeable charac-
tiers present were our worthy repre-
sentative of the Tobacco Leaf, person
ating the character represented by
Phil. Sheridan, in his last order as a
citizen of New Orleans; the lady in
black and gilt, represented by Mr.. +.
w., with the admirable motto, "All is
not gold that glitters, was nobly per-
sonated, and succeeded in captivating
the affections of noted lawyer in this
city; Mexican Cavilier, by Mr.. L. P;
Peasant Girl, by Mrs. j.; Lady with
massive hair. by Mrs. S. Clowns, by
Messrs. III. & W. Jrs.; Double Man, by
Mr.. j. E.; Indian, by Mr.. w; o. ?.
G. & J. j., franciscan Monk, Mr..
R.; Roderigo, Mr.. K; Nun, Mr.. K;
Night, by Miss A. & B.; was well re-
presented; Mother Superior, by Miss
G.; Humpty Dumpty, by Mr.. r.; DIR.
Ridley, by Mr.. j.; Mr.. A. claimed
to have no character. The Big Man,
with coonskin cap, was so well person.
ated, by MIR. W. NJ. L., that hundreds
took him for a popular undertaken in
this city. .f..f
From Appieton's Journal we learn
that "Mardi Gras, the eve of Lent, Is
ever the elimination of that whirl of
gayety and joyment crowded into the
ten short days of ante-Lenten carni-
val. Not only long habit, but the
very genius of the people makes this
essential. Only in the French cities
of America, where blood is not only
susceptible by descent, but tempered
by climate, and habits of life to an
absorption of reckless gayety--can a
carnival approach to anything Like the
universal feasts that absorb all the
Catholic countries ofsouthern Europe.
During the carnival New Orleans is
the scene of one continuous revel.
Private parties follow each other with
a rapidity unknown at other times
the papers TEEN with notices of mask
balls, military balls, fremen's balls
the theaters are crowded, and the gala
nights at the opera are more brilliant
than ever. And, not least, the most
cunning secrets of the kitchen are
called forth to supply the endless round
of dinners and suppers-state and
cosy, grand and social, public and pri-
vate-with. which the city fortifies its
inner man to say, Vale ca,ne 7 The
people in the crowded streets are elias
tic joyous, anticipatory. The city
seems to brace its nerves for the CON-
ing forty days wrestle with the flesh,
by absorbing that huge amount of adj
pose fun of moral Information. But
all eliminates on that day, when the
Lord of Misrule is proclaimed dicta-
tor; when young and old, rich and
poor, meet at the footstool of common
subjects; when wild revel is the por-
ton of the gravest and the meekest,
until the solemn clang of midnight pro-
claims an end to that day of joy, Fat
Tuesday"
CAPT. SEARCY STILL AHEAD.-A