Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-03-07

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well tO Meat
NEW ORLEANS, March a.--Ed5tor Aorn-
tRg Neics The Hardi-Gras festivities are at
length over, and the Crescent City is now ex-
periencing the quiet Of the Lenten season.
Since the war ended, the display has, learn
from general report, never been more magnif-
cent. The city was crowded with visitors from
North. South. East and West The
hotels were literally crammed, and
there was not even private house which was
not filled long before the festive season began,
while up TO the very day on which the great
parade of "bexf and ''the Mystick KreWe OF
komus' were to take place, every train and
boat arriving at the city were filed TO reple-
tion. indeed so great was the rush that many
OF the guests coming by the river were forced
TO take up their quarters on their respective
boats, and there 1--we. Thanks TO the kind hos
pitality of Mr.. and Mrs. Henry 8. Vose, the
former an old merchant OF New Orleans. I
was most fortunate in being charmingly enter
tanned.
It would take up too much Of your space to
attempt to describe all the festivities OF the
Mardi- Gras season In detail; nor "a it neces-
sarY, since, presume, you have had Q very
full account of them by telegraph. They be-
Knights Of Momas gave their grand parade,
consisting OF q series of tableaux or floats
drawn through the streets by horses, and illus
trative Of well known Christmas stories of
Hans Christian Andersen. This / did not see
but from the full descriptions have received
1t was very flne
On Saturday last it was announced that His
Gractous Majesty, Rex Carnival, had arrived.
city from his Oriental dominions. s.s and and great
preparations were made for his suitable recep-
ton In this. his fayorite capital. On Monday
ne arrived. and, having been received with Q
az Int HA f4fc mwA a
vas rendered the keys and entire control Of
the city. He Is Tor rather wasl q very venera-
BILE old gentleman, with long, flowing grey
beard, and was accompanied by numerous
officers OF his court-Rl appointed to execute
the royal pleasure in any manner In which il
might see lt-and body guard of genuine
Moors which he had transported all the way
from his African domains TO guard the royal
jewels and baggage.
His march through the chief thoroushfarss
or the capital was one grand ovation. Hun
oredS or thousands OF bis loyal subjects
thronged his pathway TO do him homage, and
so enthusiastic and sincere was their allie
glance that it must have gladdened the heart
OF his venerable Majesty. / learn that this
poWerfuI monarch is now in the one Thousand
and first year of his age.
Having received the homage OF his subjects
the King gave gracious permiSsion to every
one to promenade the streets as pleasure,
and TO do their will In all things due considera-
tton being had of course to moderation, for 1t
was distinctly understood that any lawlessness
or ha5rant breach of good manners would he
promptly taken notice OF bv His Majesty Is
civil authorities. Right well did the thousands
present heed the Kings wiehes In this respect,
and, at the same time, show their great respecb
Tor their monarch. Not a quarrel even, much
less a breach of the peace, occurred TO mar
the pleasures Of the occasion. Never In INV
life have seen so large and so remarkably
orderly a concourse.
The following day. Tuesday, as soon
as the multitude began stirring, prepare
tons were made for enjoying the scenes, and
sights TO be presented on this the last day of
the Carnival. Not only was the street through
wnlcn Rex was 10 pass early thronged almost
to suRocation by his subjects, but every win
dow, balcony. and indeed every possible eleva-
ton which could afford the slightest facility
Tor seeing the procession vas occupied for
hours before His Majesty made his appear.
ance. At length, however, the line was
formed and the parade began. 1t was headed
by Rex himself, seated in a gorgeous car
drawn by twelve horses, while, standing
whose duty it was TO see that His Majesty did
not suffer from the heat. This he was enabled
to do by means of huge fan which he car
ried. Thus for the second time Rex graciously
showed himself to his subjects, whose manifes-
tations Of loyalty he received. along the route.
with graceful inclinations Of the roYal head
| Behind him followed in quick succession a
series of about sixteen tableaux Illustrative Of
stories from tho Arabian Nights Entertain.
Inents His Majesty having personally super
Vised the preparation of these tableaux In
Arabia before embarking for his Ameri.
can capital, they were gorgeous In the
extreme. and wholly true to nature. The vast
eoncourse manifested their happiness over
them by loud applause, which was Invariably
recognized by showers Of bon hons from the
various floats as they passed on. IL was In
deed 9 gorgeous sight. Following in rear Of
the royal cavalcade came procession Of the
'Phunny Phorty PhelloWs," whose humorous
satires on modern society elected shouts of
hearty laughter AID applause. The entire pro-
ceSston was suppose, mile in length, and
was about three quarters Of an hour passing a
given point.
blage dispersed TO their homes and other
places, there TO await the festivities OF the
evening, when ''the Mystic Krewe of Komus'i
were to give q grand parade, after which the
joy. Punctually at 5o'cIock the evening pa
rade began. It was headed by Comus the god
OF mIrth and humor, who was seated upon the
back or mammoth peacock. the brilliant
plumage OF whose expanded tail furnished
soft reclining place for ita master, while
ruddy flames constantly extending from its feet
served to add additional splendor 10 the fcene
This triumphal car of the god was followed
by series of beautiful and magnificent floats
Illustrative of the iegends, anthology and ira
ditions of the Horseland. They were all grand
and beautiful and as they passed along illu.
minated by brilliant lights Of their own. to
which was added the cOlored lights and fire
works from the street, one might well imagine
himself In the realms of the cid Scandinavian
gods An attempt to describe the various
floats and scenes presented would only mar
them. They were costly, refining and instruch
I've. as well as beautiful.
This parade being over the festivities began
In earnest. and vast crowds Of invited guests
6ocked to the Opera House. the S. Charles
Theatre and the Exposition Hall to attend the
balls given respectively by the Mystiek Krewe,
the "Phunny Phorties" and Rex. ALI were SUI
perb, but the scene at the Opera House was
one OF the most charming ever saw Every
seat was taken, and, with few exceptions were
Allied with ladies, all elegantly dressed, in the
unexceptionable taste for which New Orleans
an array of lOvsliness It has never
before been my good fortune to see
and the sight win long be reflected on INV
memory; It was indeed perfect garden Of
was inaugurated by the maskers, who, after
mingling in the throng for an hour or more
about IL o clock quietly and mysteriously diSap~
peared. and were no more seen. Their guests,
however, kept up the festivities until the wee
hours, for by common consent Ash Wednesday
was not to begin until sunrise.
Thus ended the Carnival, and New Orleans
bade farewell to meat lcdrRi vaLe) for forty
days in blaze OF glory. The exhibition must
have cost In all fully one hundred thousand
dollars, but it was money well expended. For
there were at least twenty thousand strangers
IN the city. ana as eacn one spent on an average
at least ten dollars the sum was returned to
the city with at least 100 per cent. interest.
On yesterday (Ash Wednesday, the city was a.
quiet as II nothing had occurred. Thousands
went to church, and the transfer from mirth
to ashes was complete. The carnival was.
upon the whole, q perfect success, and On.
1oyed by all met several Savannahians ON
the occasion, and among them one of the
fairest of the fair daughters of the beau
tiful Forest City. Every one OF these seemed
70 enter heartily into the spirit of the
occasion and to enjoy themselves to the ut.
most Mardi-G -Gras, 1881, will long be remem-
bered by all who were fortunate enough 10
participate therein. and many will look for
ward with bright anticipations TO the enjoy
ment OF another grand Carnival twelve months
hence. As for myself, to Mr. and Mrs. Vose,
and many kind friends whom have met here.
am indebted for one Of the most pleasant
visits Of my life. w.
Here is another Ohio idea: The minis