New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-02-25
KNIGHTS OFvMOMUs
THE SEASONS AND NATURE
Louisiana IN TABLEAUS
Her Fruits, Flowers and Staples

nifcent street pageants. The Knights OF
Momus is comparatively new organize
tiop, but its displays have been equally as
meritorious as those of the Twelfth Night
Rayelers and of the time-honored Mistick
Krewe. Momus and his jolly Knights first
appeared on the streets on the night of De-
eember 81, 1872, representing "Walter
Scot,'s Talismen." The second appearance
was on the anniversary of the same night
of December in 1873. The SUBJECT then was
"The Coming Races In 1874 Momus de-
cided to make his annual parades part Of
the Carnival, that the city might be made
more attractive during that period. That
decision would have brought the third pro-
oession on the night of February 4, 1873,
the Thursday preceding Mardi Gras; but
the Mardi Grss festival was postponed last
wear and Momus did not appear.
Last night the Knights OF Momus
made up in splendor tor the lapse
of q year, and marched through the
streets with one of the finest pageants
ever seen here. 1t is understood by
those who have not seen these process
sious, that the tigurate characters are
mounted on floats and drawn by horses and
mules. The cars OF Momus last night were
the largest ever seen here; the platforms
we're high and roomy, handsomely trimmed
and appropriately painted on tops and sides
by expert scenic artists. The groupings
we're artistic, and the dresses worn by the
Knights were as near like to ornaments OF
nature as could be made. About one hun
dred animated character figures were
shown on eighteen carriages. The cars
we're brilliantly lighted by lamp bearers
walking at the sides, and the display ex-
cited the greatest admiration and enthusi-
asm along the way taken. Momus, the
god Ct censure and ridicule, full Of mirth,
withal, headed the
FIRST DIvIsIoN-FIRsT TABLEAU.
Momus himself appeared on the first float,
very god, the son of night, plotting his
knightly followers. He wore the Roman
dress, with flowing tcga and hair. holding
alott truncheon of authority, and drove,
as he stood in an ancient chariot, four life
like and gaily caparisoned steeds rearing
and prancing abreast. Momus ruled the
night, and he received from admiring
throngs the homage which was his due.
He introduced the
SECOND TABLEAUX.
Louisiana, a noble female figure, stood on
a raised pedestal. She was no hapless
maiden, but appeared hedged about BY di
vinity. In her right arm che held an up
lifted sword, and shield of armor formed
the back setting Of the picture. Immedl
ately in front of Louisiana were three typi
cal persons. They we're Justice. the highest
seated figure of the three, blind as Justice
is, with sword in one hand, ready to battle
for right, and in the other hand were the
scales Of judgment, ready to weigh tht
doubtful balances of rights and wrong, her
self seeing no mans wishes; also Union
With arm resting upon the shield Of States
and holding in one hand statf surmountet
by the cap of liberty; and Confidence, seat
ed by Justice and Union, holding in he
right hand q mirror which pictured th'
States emblem, while her left hand restee
on . bale of cotton. The typical pelicaI
sat in her nest with her young. The iron
figure on the platform was Bienville, tht
same who, in 1918, coming from his native
France, founded the city of New Orleans
He looked forward into the night, a man
adventure, resting one hand on COLDER
crescent. And so Louisiana and New Or
leans passed on, making room for the
THIRD rABLEAU.
Flora, Goddess Of Spring. Flora was no
always a good god, but she accumulated
untold riches, which she lavished on tn
people, who called her goddess of flower
and spring, and made the horalia festlva
in her honor. Flora drove past last nigh
on an exquisite flower. wreathed chariot
trimmed at Top and sides with choice
flowers and having wheels of roses, with
hly leaf front The ground work of tn
picture was garden by the edge OF water
showing growing roses and lilies Fior'
stood erect in her chariot, which was draw
by two gorgeous and mammoth butterflies
whose wings oecillated with the movemen
of progress, and shed splendor on the scene
The goddess guided her aerial team Will
lines of roses, and held in her hand stat
surmounted by q bouquet OF the flowers
her realm. In her wake came the
FOURTH rABLEAU.
This pictured floral arbOr. The arbo
itself was large frame erected on inc Top
most Of four steps, covered at the top ant
having open trellis sides. up which wer'
clambering the vines and flowers OF spring
The arbor locked az if it might have bee'
the garden entrance to Paradise. Beneath
this arbor stood Magnolia, Queen of Nature
This proud monarch's attributes hav'
the dainty sweetness of flowers, and he
natural throne ia q tree elevated above al
things else of hower-land. Magnolia wa
dressed in her best attire, wearing snow.
robe fashioned from white leaves, cl0al
of green, open at font Her head dres
was q crown of golden stamens. In he
hand che held q staff, surmounted will
an opening flower. She was sur
rounded by attendants: Caladium, wht
stood fanniug the queen with Leaf
and representing utility and servitude
wearing a dress of queen plant, grass an
drac8na; Acacia, waving her yellow hair
represe n ling grace and elegance. wearing
dress the body Of which was China re
rose, a skirt Of pomegrauate flower, with
trail Of green calsthea leaf. having head O.
saments of pink acacia; Marig"ld, standin
aloof from her sisters, representing jealous
and wearing a dress Of marigold, with hys
.;c%ba haaH orna ments. Geraninm aa an q