Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1876-02-20

So we are joyous In anicips-
Gras, feeling well assured that
the elegance Of the Memph pageant,
ball and tsbleaux, to say nothing OF the
ancillary displays by other organiZs-
tions, will be of such character as to
elicit the true admiration OF the most
refined and cultivated people of Ameri-
ca. A comparative study Of Mardi Grss,
with Its carnival and pageantry, its orr
gin, progress and development, its ef-
fects, achievements, and its renaissance
upon a plan SO excellent and stable, en-
ables us to speak with confidence and
without boast as to the superiority the
Memph Of this city have attained In the
character Of their pageant and display.
OF the popular enthusiasm, the great
esgerneSs Of spirit with which Msrdi
Gras is celebrated and participated in by
our best citizens, we need not speak.
Who Is there but wildly remembers the
almost uDesrthly real scene OF last Mardi
Gras-the thousands of maskers in the
streets, the great rush of people along
the principal avenues, the mighty influx
Of visitors from every part of the Union,
from New Orleans to New York; Like
the fadeless beauty Of the starry firms-
ment, and yet brilliant as the flash Of
the leaping lightning is the recollection
Of that marvellous picture, that gorgeous
psuorama-the Memph pageant! Aud
who, then, that saw Msrdi Gras in 1875,
can doubt the power of the Memph TO
produce something even grsnder, more
imposing and impressive upon the Occa.
sion Of this carnival? They have the
benefit of learned minds, critical in re-
fined taste, rich with the judicious ex-
perience Of the past, and supper ed by
abundant funds, which command the
most gorgeous and recherche costumes,
paraphernalia and inventions to be had
In Paris, the gay city OF France. 1t is thus
the Memph are enabled to accomplish |
whatever they undertake, and give to |
Memphis the honor Of enjoying the
most magnificent carnival and the |
most superb pageant of any city in |
America, or even Europa. Our people |
cannot be too generous in their praise |
and admiration for an orgapizst on |
whose mysterious agencies achieve such |
trlumphs for the city, giving 1t promi- |
nence above all others as respects Mardi |
Gras, and attracting thousands OfpeOple |
to come here from every State IN the |
Union. The Grand OurO, who rules su-
preme and directs the management Of |
the Memphis Mardi Gfas, merits the |
confidence bestowed SO freely by the citi- |
Zens. One hundred artisans and nine of |
the best scenic artists in the country are
daily and nightly engaged in the great |
work Ofthe Mempb. This should indicate |
to the reader something as to the magni- |
tude Of the display the Memph will |
make on Mardi Gras. Persons Who'll
wish to enjoy the carnival should get |
here Sunday, the eth, or Monday, the
18th, as upon the latter day Rex
Caruivali enters The city and will |
be given the keys by Mayor Flip
pin. The king will come to the
city on the steamer Andy Baum, from
the mystic grotto, supposed to be some-
where In the neighbOrhood of Presidents
Island or under Fort Pickering. All the
steamers in port have been ordered by
Admiral AID Storm to fall in line and
act "a a convoy to the royal steamer,
which will arrive at one O'Clock in the
afternoon of Monday (28th), and then
the king with his cavalcsde will enter
the city and proceed to Court square,
where the city council and mayor Will
be In session. There the golden key Of
the city will be surrendered, and then
begins the reign Of miTth, fun and
frolic. Tuesday, Msrdi Gras proper, will
be duly insugurated and celebrated, the
great feature being the Memphi street.
pageant and tsbleaux, with q full dresJ
ball st the Memphis Theater that night.
are being made to ac-
commodate all visitors. All steam.
boats and railroads have reduced rates of
fare, and it is believed that the influx OF
visitors will be unprecedented in the
history Of any city Of the south.