Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-03-04
MARDI GRAS.
GRAND RECEPTION OF REX BY
HIS LOYAL SUBJECTS.
A Gala Nay In the Crescent city
Naval Display and Military Pa.
geant-A Royal Drawing Room
ReceptiOn-Presenta of a Roy
al Banner.
Nesc Orleans Democrat, "a.


al Banner.
NelC Orleans Democrat, 3D.
For the advent of our good Rex nature
yesterday put on her sunniest smiles. A
bracing northwest wind had cleared the sky
of even the lightest of feathery clouds, and
seemed TO proclaim the arrival of q season
OF good cheer. The whole city appeared to
wear holiday aspect, and even the less fire.
quented side streets, in f1uttering of carni-
val flags, gave token of obedience to the
rule OF the King 10 come. The day before
Mardi Gras has been for years looked for
ward to with pleasure as the beginning of
Rex's reign, and his thousands of happy
subjects never fail in testifying their un-
bounded appreciation at his approach. Yes
terday was different from prev Gus recep-
tons OF the King, In more general out
pouring OF the people and the presence with
us OF our visiting guests. Never before has
our city witnessed such crush of people on
its streets, and never before has such a
pageant greeted the welcoming populace.
At twenty minutes past 10 O'Clock the
steamer Ed. Richardson, lying at the foot
OF Canal street, backed gracefully out from
her landing, with the Charlestown Cadets
on board aud the marine band of the United
down the river to intercept the Kings royal
yacht, and take His Majesty on board. A
few invited guests formed part of the
company, and the bright faces and sweet
smiles of the ladies added additional charms
to the pleasures of the trip. Heading FIRST
up stream run was made through the
feet OF United States vessels anchored of
the city, and although Rex was not vet on
board the Richardson was greeted with a
caluta from fhd HanahfT1 Tnnnacaan and
the waving of handkerchiefs. When
Washington street was reached her Prov
was headed down the river, and like
courser she glided swiftly by street after
street, the houses seeming to move in one
panoramic procession. AS the fleet was
again passed the yards were manned and
the steamer saluted with the dipping of
colors. Down past Canal street, past the
French Market, past the Ursulines Convent,
she sped on her mission Of welcome, and 1t
was not until some time after passing
Slaughterhouse Point that the masthead OF
the royal yacht was seen in the distance.
The Richardson then put on her holiday
attire. From iackstaff to rudder-head bunt-
ing was displayed until she appeared like
some country damsel decorated for the fair.
Blue flags and red, yellow pennants and
green, fiuttered and snapped in the fresh,
invigorating wind, in miniature sslutations
~ bAO P0A1 Az tikC SCnoEdl IQOIl6S buCN nSIC
performing. At the Slaughterhouse or a
little below the Richardson rounded to
aud received on board the King and suite.
Brorzed Arabs, tawny Bedouins and fierce
natives or Morocco strobe maje5ticallV up
the gangway, and were soon followed by
His Majesty, looking not a day older than
when we last saw him. Around him were
his courtiers, dukes, lords, admirals and
ministers, all eager to put foot once more
within fhQ T1rnafp0tc a%f I,afr 70 rt4 M
tai. AS the boat started for the city roar
of artillery sounded from the wharf of the
Crescent City Stock Landing Company,
which was a signal for a rush Of paople to
the leVee. On both sides of the river where
the houses are still far apart the denizens
seemed to be out in battalions. Little col
ored children scampered about, waving and
cheering in an overflow of jubilation, whilst
their more sedate parents waved handker-
chiefs aud hats of unknown age and colors.
At point opposite the Morgan depot, on
the other side of the river, bevy of harbor
tugs met the Richardson with long, loud
and deep whistles, which set the whole river
agog, for far up the stream responsive toots
were heard, and in a few minutes pande-
monium seemed to be let loose. When the
line of shipping in the Third district was
reached, all the vessels showed their allegi-
anee by profuse display of bunting from
with people, all anxious to get look at the
King, even over the stretch OF water that
lay between the land and the swiftly mov-
ing steamer. When Canal street hove In
sight the picture was most inspiriting. The
deep baying of the boarse Napoleons, the
shrill piping of whistles, the cheers of the
crowd and the sea of faces lining the city
front made 1t picture not soon to be for
gotten. Our naval vessels, at signal from
fh.a da0 chin hoH ho7ao1ya1 ~,
bunting In rainbow style from boweprit to
stern, and to the chippering whistle of the
boatswain's mates, the jack tars laid aloft,
and In twinkling every yard of the Ten
nessee, Kearsarge and Alliance was manned,
a tribute to the approach of royalty. The
feet looked very attractive, as the outlines
of the men far aloft stood out In bold relief
against the clear blue sky.
When the steamer rounded to, snd headed
for the Canal street wharf, the sight was an
imposing one. From the hurricane roof the
vista down that broad avenue was one of
kaleidoscope changes. In the long stretch
the thousands gathered swarmed the thor
oughfare. Brfgades of soldiers, on their
march to welcome the King, enlivened the
scene with their bright uniforms, and as
thick as leaves laughing carnival flags
shook themselves In the sunlight. Sweep
ing down to the waters edge, the mass of
bales just landed from the up river steam
ers until not piece Of bagging could be
seen beneath the swarming crowd. All
New Orleans seemed to be turned out and
mans individuality was lost In the throng
of thousands. AS the boat neared the wharf
the Marine Band struck up lively air and
the Charlestown Cadets formed line across
the steamer.
Capt. GIL, Of the police force, was at
and nd ENyff s7a14 la
opened broad avenue through the crowd,
posting his men in such positions as to en-
able them to keep back Che pushing mass.
His work was most creditably DONE After
the last gun from Battery G, Louisiana
Field Artillery, commanded by Capt. For
tier, had been fired, down Canal street were
seen coming the scarlet uniforms of the
National Lancers of Boston, who were
mounted on their praneiDg horses, and Just
behind them the Continentals. Then ap-
peared the gallant Seventy first New York
Regiment and the SpaRlding Guards of
Buffalo, and soon the levee seemed alive
with citizen soldiery.
As soon as all preparations for the land
ing had been completed the Royal Host
boarded the steamer, and between Col.
Louis Bush and w. s. Lowell, ESQ both
dukes of the realm, His Majesty disembark-
ed, followed by his court and his Arabians.
Aa
presented arms ss the King passed, and the
party took their state coaches, His Majesty
entering his royal vehicle, drawn by six
spirited grsys, with pestillions, ready for
the signal to move.
The rich costumes of the court could now
be seen at their best In the bright sunlight.
His Majesty wore the Order of the Holy
Ghost; the full insignia of the order Of the
Golden Fleece and the Garter. The dresses
were really royal, and had before graced
state pageants. Every one Of them were
historical. When the Commune sacked the
TuIlleries, these brilliant costumes were
found left behind by the court of Napoleon
Ill. The Commune put them up for sale,
and a costumer of Paris purchased the whole
lot, and Rex, in his late tour, appreciating
the value Of their bullion trimmings and
richness Of goods, secured them for his
court.
After the King had landed and his rctinue
were mounted, the line of march was taken
up by the household troops. Major Gen.
w. j. Behan and staff headed the process
sion, and were followed by the battalion Of
United States marines, the Geventy-first
regiment Of the National Guard of New
York, the Spaulding Guard of Buffalo, New
York, the cadets of the Mississippi MIlitary
Institute and the Continental Guards.
The ChArlestown Cadets were the merit
military command in line, and they acted
as the special guard of the King. his court
and his treasures.
Following the King and his officers came
the Second R-jpada T.o1fsiana Q%a$e N.ksl-..i