Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-02-27
NRxr wEEK,s rEsrIYITIEs.

The Mardi-Gras psgeants, balls and
general effects of next week, we ore
promised, will far surpsss all former oc.
casions of q similar character in Mem
phis or New Orleans. The city is already
filling up rapidly with strangers, aud ac-
c~essions are pouring in by every boat
and train. With the good weather which
now prevails, and seems likely to con
tinue a week or ten days as some com
pensaliou for the dresrS cloudy week.
and months Of the winter, we have every
reason to expect two or three Of the most
brilliant and enjoyable days ever known
in the history Of Memphis. The indlca'
tions are that a greater crowd than ever
before will be gathered here from the sur
rounding country and from many distant
States and cities. Oar people will DO
the most in their power TO accommodate
all whe come, and private hospitality
will be taxed to its utmost to provide for
the thousands who will fill the city to
OVERLOOKING by next Monday evening
The hotels aud public boarding houses
cannot even entertain the advance guard,
muci less the immense throng that is
expected. Owing to the liberality Of our
steamboat and railroad lines, visitors
can remain over some days and return
on their low rate excursion tickets. This
will enable many to protract pleasant
social visits, make new acquaintance
and attend to business which has been
deferred to this opportunity. Mem
phis is a city Of nearly or quite
10000 population, and, as the CONNER
cial metropolis Of three States, is the
center of o vast and wealthy region Of
country. The people who sell their cot
ton aud buy their goods, who have COM
mercial and social relations here. are
coming on az annual trip Of business
aud pleasure, and it becomes our pleas.
ant duty to entertain aud please them as
best we may. Let every house be thrown
open to old or new friends and a spirit
of hospitality rule the hour, and let US
feel that no attention to worthy stran-
gers is a sacrifice or a trouble. 1t is q
low estimate to say that there will be
10000 visitors in Memphis next Tuesday,
and that eue.third Of the number will re.
main until the latter part Of the week.
Many OF these will be from a great dis.
tance, and some Of them will see the
far-famed Bluff City, and look upon the
majestic Father OF Waters sweeping
by the base Of her foundations
for the FIRST time 10 their lives. Let US
all endesvor to make a favorable impress
sion upon their minds so that a good re-
port may 60 forth to the world, aud that
the Memphis Mardi Grss may take rank
as one Of the greatest annual attractions
of tie country. The idea that the eele-
bration has any religious Specification
or is q relic Of barbarism has long since
been dispslled from the popular mind
1t is a mere holiday on which full license
is given to everybody 10 do as they
please, 30 hat they keep within the
bounds Of decency aud propriety. The
violations Of this are too rare to offend
the most f~sstidious, and those who seek
something to criticize have the privilege
of Withdrawing from the heart of the
crowd where they are most likely to be
found. The good order which prevails
upon these occ ls;ons is always q matter
of remark by strangers. Every mar and
boy seems to feel that he is put upon biz
honor, and acts in a way to prove that be
is worthy Of the confidence aud capable
of acting a gentleman when all restrain
is removed. Our whole population vii
unite in giving the world of visitors no.
only a cordial welcome, but an ~illnstra
ton, collectively, OF the good breeding
and decorum which characterizes a chi
vAlric, heightened and intelligent people
az the exhibitions on the streets by lhr
Ulks on Monday night, and The Memph
Tuesday night, We shall speak hereafter
It is sufficient TO say that these are Cd.
result Of the most painstaking study an,
will represent eras in history, literature
or art, or phases Of nature both pleasing
TO the eye and instructive to the mind
The descriptions which will be given b.
the LEDGER aud other papers will full,
explain what may rot be understood at
glance, and thus great ideas or usefu
knowledge will be faateued upon the pub
lie mind md Ihs people will be laugh
the utility of art through the glorious in
depreciation Of The noblest themes tina
ever engaged the minds Of poetI
historians, scuIptors and scholars thesI
grand moving psnorsmas are free school
fcs the education Of the masses, wher
all may learn with delight and prof.
The UIks and the Mempbi are oraelt
who speak in golden proverbs aud writ
hem as With 9 pen Of IRE.