The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1879-03-08
An Elktonian's Trip TO New Orleans.

William J. Jones, Esq returned To Elk
toa, on Saturday night last, after an all
sence of two weeks spent on 4 business triI
South. The distance he accomplished III
So short a time aud the length Of visit al.
lowed HIM al two poiuts-Atlauta. G-or-
gia, and Nsw Orleans, show the rapidity
of modern steam locomotion. Mr. Jones
left PcIIyville On Monday, February 9Th,
al o'clock, and reached Atlanta. Gcor-
eia, i distance probably Of seven hundred
miles, on Tuesday night following at II
o'clock. lie WAS impressed particularly
with the business activity of tina; city, it
being railroad center, and indicating
every where in its transformation the hand
OF Northern capital and enterprise. lie
met here Capt. " Dick Ellis, Of Elkton,
who vas visiting Atlauta on iuTIough of
few days.
Leaving Atlanta ON Friday afternoon,
the "lst a!tImo. he reached New Orleans
on the next morning about . \. NJ A
sight of the MardI III Gras, which occurred
on ths Tuesday following, was the atrrac
ton OF the gay city, and which had
drawn thIther as usual its thousands of
spectators. Canal street, the great boule
vaid Of New Orleans, was a panoramic
picture well worth seeing On the occasion
of 4 Ma: d: iii Gas. particularly to the eve Of
one unfamiliar with the sights and scenes
OF foreign cities. To all persons visiting
he -
taxable foreign air is AT once novel aid
pleasing. Its wide plazl-like streets. the
ever present balcony and verauda, its bust
ling, stirring levee. it's wide pavements
crowded at the time with cav ma,uuerad
ers, its general appearance of gaity and
pleasure, were certainly attractive features
To visitor. Although generally pro-
nonnced a success, the Mardi di Gras fes-
tival held TIL, year was nevertheless some
what less imposing than it would other
wise would have been but for the recent
pestileutlal fever. But i few weeks ago,
aud every house III tina; Inflated city was a
house Of mourning. Evidently, however,
there appeared tn be a general effort To
throw IN the shadow Of sorrow that haa
enshronded the gay capital Aud to the
stranger the effort was successful. Every.
body seemed gwen up 10 the general enjoy
mcnr. Nlrdi Iii Gras must not be under.
stood by the unInitiated rs being an incou-
gruous and miscellaneous procession Of
masqucraders, with .suaIly assigned places
~ 1ph i
ally assumed characters, outrivaling each
other III their groiesqueness. On the con
uary, the festival III It's entirety Of process.
sion, carnival. and exposition, is the work
oil al artist This year the procession was
symbolic representation Of the nat ions pay
ing tribute to 1" Rex" the patron and the
sovereign Of the festival. The history of
the nations was illustrated by splendid tab
ieaux vIvan;s, while local organizations,
nnticeably this year a favuIite militia com
pauy, were effectively Lurlcsquei by the
disciples Of Ninth. This year, the IO0Srh OF
the reign IN carnival calendar of His Ma
Iesty " REX, his Royal iiighress came in
The character of Richard C".nr de Lion.
Every ycaI he assumes different chaTac
ter. When the reader remembers that ihr
costumes and paraphernalIa are especially
made III Paris for the carnival, and are, to
insure It's sucress. ordered for each sue
ccedIng year, Immediately at the close of
the preceding festival, and that no cxpcns.
Is spared To carry ont tho elaborateupss of
the design of the carnival, embracing IN It's
coEsumnaiien thousands OF men, horses.
and imposing trappIugs. tabltauN, charioIs.
and pAgeants, some idea may Toe formed of
the gigantic character of the festival Il
Is, OF course. pageant rivalIEg the an
cient caTnIvaiS 1i Vnicc, maI ked wiki dis
tlhct foreign features, and which would b-
An lmpnssIbiiity either III conception or
execution IN Ali Eastern, Northern, OF
Western American city.
Mr.. Jones, while IN New Orleans, had
The pleasure Of being most Hospitality EN-
iciiaIned 10y our former citizen Of Elktou.
X. VI. WalmsIey, E,q who is one Of the
rising business mrn uf New Orleans lie
also met Lieut.. Mitchell lamar now sta
toned there TO whom Mr. Jones was in
debied for \ pleasant vIsI; to the old bat
tie ground. leaving New Orleans on
Thursday after noon. the eth ultImo. on
the evening of Saturday. 10y continuous
night travel, Lo reached EIkton, safe and
sound.