The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-09-21
BALTIMORE oRIoLE.

Interesting details of the programme Pre-
pared by the Monumental City for the Mard
Gras and Carnival in October =
The success of Baltirnore's big celebration
last year exhuberated her citizens, and in
mastering all its manifold details so perfect
ly, gained an experience which thisyear will
be turned to the best possible account. The
Oriole celebration this October will be an
immense thing. Funds ample TO meet eve
ry requirement having been subscribed and
placed at the disposal of those having the af-
fair in charge. In most respects the order oi
things will be entirely different from last
year, and in the way of gorgeous and novel
features there will be no comparison be-
tween the two celebrations. For years the
desire has been intense to witness a genuine
Mardi Gras parade without being forced to
go on a journey of thousands of miles. The
fame of New Orleans, Memphis and Mobile
as the centres of Mardi Gras and Carnival
festivities has spread throughout the entire
country, and when il is promised that Balti-
more shall equal if not surpass the greatest
efforts of any Of the cities named it means
much Contracts have already been let for
the mystic pageant, the subject illustrated in
an extensive series of tableaux to remain a
dead secret until the night of the Mardi
Gras. Mr.. De Leon the gentleman who has
designed and perfected the mystic features,
has had ample experience having been at
the head of similar undertakings in New Or
leans and Mobile. Baltimore pays him sl0.-
900 for this special feature, but this repre-
sents by no means the whole of the pageant.
As much, if not more, will be expended in
other series of :ableaux. some of them de-
signed and prepared by different societies of
the city, and Others gotten up under the i'm
mediate direction of the general committee
An entirely new departure in this sort of pa
rade will be the use of platform cars upon
which the tableaux will be constructed and
which will be run over the street car tracks.
1t is estimated that the pageant will reach a
length of three miles, and under electric,
calcium and other brilliant lights. will pre-
sent scene to be witnessed but once in a
lifetime. The Mardi Gras will, however, be
but one of the great events of the three days
festivities. Cn Monday, the 10th, the new
water works are to be formally opened with
beautiful display of fountains and all that
sort of thing. In the afternoon the grand
daylight parade is to occur and will without
doubt eclipse the big parade day of last
year, and To do that it will indeed be great.
In addition TO the military of Baltimore and
adjacent cities, it is expected that several of
the military organizations en- route to York
town will stop over and participate. Aside
from the soldier boys, there will be grand
display by Fire Departments, Masonic, Odd
Fellows, Knights of Pythias, and other or
CARNATIONS. At tnight, the glorious Oratorio
with its almost countless voices. Tuesday
morning is set apart for the reception of the
French visitors, and among the immediate
descendants of Lafayette, De Barras, DE
Crosse, De Rochambeaux, and other great
Frenchmen who played so grand 4 part as
allies of Washington during the revolution.
With them will come many of the most dis
tinguished men of the French Republic
statesmen, generals, and naval officers. Two
Trench men-of-war, fully manned, are now
on the sea bound for the Chesapeake; and
Baltimores welcome to her ilustrious guests
will be memorable one. Wednesday will
witness new honors to the French. and a
general series of receptions to all visitors
throughout the city. At night comes the
glorious Mask and Carnival with all its
merry features, its eccentric costuming and
brilliant details. 1t will be a happy wind
up to the three days pleasures, and If all
comers do not have the jolliest time of their
lives none will be blamed for it but them
selves. The b. & o., with its accustomed
enterprise and liberality, has joined in q full
spirit of the celebration and announces a
rate of one-half the regular fare from all
stations on the main line, divisions and
branches. Tickets are to be good for ten
days, thus affording ample time for all. As
is well known, Baltimore has an abundance
of hotels, boarding houses and like places of
comfort, and no extra charge whatever will
be made for accommodations during the
Oriole celebration. Nothing will be spared
to make the occasion the happiest imagina-
bic. Baltimore people knowing full well
that to fail in proving her claim to be the
most hospitable city in the country, would
leave stain upon her fair fame and name
time could never blot out.