The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-03-18
The Sunny South.

No. {.
knights OF Nnm">-Carniyai Key Mystic
krew ot Eomus, Etc, Bt".
For weeks and months the people OF New
orleans have been preparing to celebrate
"Mardi Gras"--a French term Signilyng
"Fat Tuesday" because 1t is followed by
Ash Wednesday, ushering in the fasting sea.
son of Lent. On this occasion crowds OF
maskers fill the streets in the daytime who
arc finally marshalcd into grand process
son by His Majesty, Rex, the King OF Carni'
val It would be impossible to give even a
iaint idea Of the numbers and splendors OF
ihis display. Companies and batta,lions OF
troops; marines; knights and gay caya
hers, the red nan of the forest, the swarthy
Turk, long banners, glittcrlng arms, gor'
gCous cqulpagcs, and numerous bands OF In
spring music, make up Il scene of gaiety
hat must be witnessed to be appreciated.
FOR "A whole week the city IS n scene Of SPLEEN
dor, and at night Grand Examinations and
professions take placc--lirst "knights OF
Momus" then the Mystic Krcw Of Comus,'
gIvcn in grand torch light procession, Illus
rating several chosen subjects, and making
q spectacle which is worth crossing cont.
nent to see Grand balls wind up the fes,lvi-
lies, which are attended by brilliant assem-
llies, and of which, notwithstanding the hard
ines, it may be said there's millions in II,
Il, least it costs millions to &c; them up.
There are in New Orleans four organlza.
lions devoted to these displays and maSquc-
fadcs-thc Twelfth Night Jewellers, whose
celebration occurs on the 9Th OF January,
The Rights of MomuS, whose pageant occurs
an the Thursday preceding Ash Wednesday,
knights OF Comus, and Society Of Rex, whose
ceremonies are on Mard Gras day ana night
OF these associations the most recently cs
ablishcd is the knights Menus, its organ,
gation dating back no farther than the spring
OF 1872. Their first representation occurred
vi the 3ist OF December OF that year, the
subject being Sir Walter SCOTS Craftsman"
fhetollOwing ycarthcy presented again on the
jlst ct December, the Coming faces, "a
-OTt of Darwinian extravaganza. The fol
lowing wear the Order determined to change
ne day of their celebration to the Thursday
preceding Marli Gras, but in consequence OF
he public disorder ana troubles of last year,
heir exhibition was postponed until the oath
Of February of the present year, and by them
the Knights of Momus-thc carnival rcvel-
-ics were opened on Thursday evening.
The display Thursday night was one OF un.
usual beauty and splcndor, as well of as cx.
ceedinS drolcry and humor. Nothing could
hons than the pageant of flowers, which sui,
used the sombrc check Of Night with
one boundlcss blush, enc white cmpurplcd
Shower Of mingled blossoms
Shile the vegetables were made available TO
suggestions.
The pageant this year illustrated Louisiana
md hcr tour seasons which were presented
"A four separate divisions.
MOMUs
first ia the procession came Momus him
elf, in the Greek mythology, son o. Nox
and god of railery satire and pleasantly In
he chariot Of PhTbus, guiding with all ease
hose fiery coursers that spurned ihc prcsump
;uous control of Phaeton In other days. lie
vas clad in blue tunic, with a red fllct
shout his head and n red scarf spanglcd
shout his shoulders; in his hand he held a
mask. Before him was borne the Royal En-
.Ign, OF maroon colorcd velvet, bearing the
inscription, knights Of Menus. Third
representation. February "a, 1876 and
also, the legend "Dum vivimus, vivamusw
Just behind the chariot of the mocking
sod WAS an immense transparency present
ing in very beautiful and effective group ne
he many and varied fruits, flowers, vegcta
5les and staples of this sun. blessed land, that
slopes down to the McXique Sea. Above this
transparency were gariands of flowers, arch
or over il from end TO end of the car.
CONT OF ARMS or LOUISIANA
Sext in the procession was the Coat Of
Arms of the State, represented by statuary
Upon high elevation was the symbolic pcli
an and her young; in front Of and just be
.cw these STOOD the "blind goddess Justice
Eiih the scales and sword, with Union on he
light, aud Confidence, leaning ON cottor
Jale, on her left.
Sull in front of these stood the Genius o
Louisiana, In her right hand a broken sword
a6r left resting on shattered cannon, ard o
sjihcr wrist she wore broken gives.
This was one OF the finest representation
y the pageant Following was q transpa
gBcy representing an Immense bouquet he
aiding the approach of Flora, in chario
~ Of flowers, whose front WAS u great MAJ
1olia with wreathed wheels and CLOWN
axle" of rose, drawn by two brilliant bu
critics. She was indeed
~ sight 10 dream OF, not 10 tell,
standing in he: chariot as il hoa,ed airil
over the rosy clouds that bent low down 20
land where bloomed the lily. the rose, lilac
Tiolrts, and all the fora Of this iiowci-land
5s, conspicuous IN beauty above them al
the beautiful Gala EhiOyicO, the emblem q
-MOdes;y," reared its pale face.
THE BOWER
vas the next in the order OF procession. o
This car, on raised dais. stood Magnoli'
The Queen OF Nature. Her dress was exqui
iie, and beautifully expressed her ideniit.
Il represented a full-blown magnolia, Will
rom her brows rose like a crown the ric
sooe that forms the center Of the flower.
Her Roysl Highness was attended by It'll
IT. which was symbolized by the CalsdIuu
Her dress was OF Calcium leaves, with sleeve
q Drac7aa, mead dress Of rraSs. With lie,