The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-11-22
THE CARNIVAL.
A Crowded Hall and a Fine Enter
tainment.

The fame of the Carnival of Authors has
spread through the city, and crowds come
nightly to gaze upon the book-folks. Last eve
ming the galleries were packed, and upon sthe
floor standing-room was not always to be had
for the asking. Doubtless fifteen hundred peo-
pie were in the hall. Cautiously enough these
people were of one mind. When one started
for booth the others would rush there too
Naturally sightseeing twas an ambition rath-
er than an accomplishment" to repeat the ex-
preston once made use of by an American
novelist under trying circumstances. The au-
dience were catholic in their tastes. and be-
slowed admiring attention upon all the booths
and all the occupants of them. The glittering
minarets of Bagdad, the Scottish feudal castle
the English baronial hall, the German fisher
maL's hut, the stone cottage of Already, the
snow-bound New England farmhouse and the
shoe where Mother Goose kept her brood, all
had large aud interested groups before them,
gazing upon the people who had come out Of
books to give them entertainment. The at
fractions, however, were not confined to the
main hall. The potter's wheel and thu Kera-
mos figures commanded quite as much atten-
ton, and the pretty Rsbecca had many call
for draught from her we'll. Her costume was
one of the best-desgned in the whole Carnival,
and the grace with which it was worn added
materially to its effect.
OGe of the prettiest sights to be seen was
the group of news-girls sent out from the
stand of the Carnival Reporter. One wanted
to buy Of them continually, Just for the pleas
ure of hearing them talk. The dainty journal
scarcely needed carriers, so eager was the
demand at the stand.
In Yesterdays number the carnival of poets
was continued, Walt Whitman, Bret Harte
and Joaquin Miller being impersonated. The
notable feature Of the number was poem
from Mr.. Whittier, who entered heartily into
the spirit of the game, and appeared not as
himself but as Robert Burns. Near the stand
of the Reporter the Fl ne display Of the Wins
low majolica was an object of pleasure to all
who take an interest in the ceramic art and
the fortune-teller in the Goethe booth had her
palm crossed many time.
The Goethe tableaux By the people of ST.
Luke's were admirably done, the first meeting
of Charlotte and Werter, bringing to mind
Thackeray's satirical lines, and the browning
of Goethe beiog the finest picture given during
the evenings entertainment. The tableaux
and scenes from Evangeline by the Roma IN
Catholic Societies were rendered with grace
and fidelity, those concerned in the rendition
furnishing series of fine pictures. The Feast
of the Bstrothal and In the Woods were
especially good The tableau and scene from
Dickens by the High Street Society, the music
lesson to the little, Kenwigs, very funny in
ITSELF was given with great humor. The
tableaux from Tennyson by Congress Square,
Dora and Elaine were charming picture. All
the tableaux in the booths were good.
The fan drill was as on the evening before
the leading attraction, eagerly waited for and
warmly applauded when given. 1t will be
repeated this evening. The following ladies'
appear in the drill: