The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-02-03
FUN IN SOUTH AMERICA.
NOW THEY CELEBRATE THE CARNH'
VAL I'M BUENOs AYREs.
Rough FUN Cologne and Rotten Eggs-
InsprOnptu Daths--Ehe suspension
Of all Etiquette.
Isan Francisco Chronicle.l


Iaan Francisco ChronicleJ
Those who have never witnessed the
merry carnival in either Europe or South
America can form no conception OF the
extent to which genuine rollicking
humor and comic acting is carried, or
the thousand means employed by the
participants to annoy each other. 1t Is
season Of the most joyous and reck-
less hilarity, when every one gives him
self np to unbridled license, totally ig-
noring all rules OF etiquette and formal
ity, and indulglng In every within that
the most fertile imagination can create.
Happening to arrive at Buenos Ayres.
the capital Of the Argentine Republic,
on the eve OF the last carnival, where It's
advent Is hailed with Joy by the entire
population, I had an opportunity OF
Witnessing for the first time this social
event. The morning following my arrt-
val, noticing that the city was In holi-
day attire, / asked ut the hotel at which
i stopped what event was being cele-
brated, and was informed that the car
nival season commenced that day.
Congratulating myself on having ar
rived just in time to witness the joyful
festivities, tttfdd having q letter Of into
duction to one of the leading families OF
the city, [ made myself presentable and
set out In search OF the party whose
hospitality hoped to enjoy. The city
presented q curious and picturesque ap-
Tearance. The houses, which are prin-
cipally one-story, were
pHoFusELy DECORATED WITH FLOWERS,
and otherwise ornamented, and the
streets were filled with gay and mot
lev crowd, dressed In ell manner Of fan
taBtic costumes, representing charac-
ters OF every age and nationality, laugh
ing, chatting aud playing jokes Of every
kind upon each other. Here was to be
seen d Spanish cavalier OF true Castilian
decent, hobnobbing with q hideous me-
gress Of gigantic proportionsi there
native Indian, armed with ferocious-
looking weapons, leading fair Span
lsh senorita, apparently q captive. A
iolly-looking clown made sad havoc
among the richly dressed ladies with an
instrument charged with water,
ever and anon deluging those who
CHANGED to come within his reach.
A fat and red faced friar amused
and refreshed himself with sundry
suspicious looking long necked bot
Ties. Ferocious looking animals
dashed In and out Of the crowds, cut
ting up all sorts of antics and putting
to flight the numerous children drawn
thither from curiosity. Harlequin and
Columbine were conspicuous actors In
the gay scenes, while kings, queens,
princes. courtiers, soldiers, and host
cf other characters lent their presence,
giving variety and animation to the &C.
casion.
Passing along the streets I noticed
the windows OF the houses were all
open. though none Of the occupants
were visible. One house In particular
attracted my attention, and while gaz-
ing at the richly furnished room
through the wide open window, sud-
denly received
A SHOWER OF EAU DE COLOGNE
fn nv face, completely binding me for
the instant. My discontinue was in
tensitied by the merry laughter or q
beautiful young lady, who happened to
be my assailant, and who courteously
invited me within--for. be it remem-
hered. no etiquette Is observed during
the carnival festivities. Accepting her
invitation I was ushered into q richly
furnished apartment and invited by her
M engage In q mock battle. the weapons
to be used being the "pomito." an In
strument charged with scented waters.
Procuring one accepted her ehallenge.
and while defending myself against her
affanks was seized from behind. and be-
fnre + could offer any resistance was
asddenly precipitated into q huge tub
~ watar. from which / emerged in
aorrv night. much to the amusement
~ the Young lady and her two brothers,
the latter being the cause OF my misfor-
tune nm Laughing with them at the joke
thew had PLAYED upon me hurriedly
ret,Irned To my hotel to procure d
chnnre of raimerlt, determined 10 pc
little more careful In accepting fur-
ti1er Invitations to enter strange doml-
Giles. no matter how bewitching or en-.
o chan the fair goddess might be who
reigned therein. i, a4raa. IL tha
81 my hotel my wet garments ~
attracted attention, and ! became Tue