Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1881-09-24
rHE RaLTlNORE oRIoLE.

4 flstiUGi and Pdgcdnt that icW iroDaoty
.Sargass IN SpJcndor the Mardi Gras Of The
South.
Baltimore IS Just now coming to the front
with a celebration which promises toecllpse
ANYTHING of the kind ever witnessed III this
country. 1t is not a worlds show, after the
style of the Philadelphia Centennial, nor
vet a musical festival such rs was witnessed
in Cincinnati, but grand holiday on which
the city will entertain the strangers within
her gates with magnificent pageant, ana
II the same time show them that Maryland
hospitality has an existence IN fact as wen
as in name For years the desire has been
/ intense to witness 4 genuine Mardi Gras
parade without being forced to 20 upon q
! tourney of thousands of miles. The fame
/ of New Orleans. Memphis and Mobile as
the centres of Mardi Gras and Carnival les
tiyities has spread throughout the entire
country, and when II is promised that bal
timore shall equal II not indeed sur2ass The
greatest efforts OF any of the cities named II
means much. Contracts have already been
let for the mystic pageant, the subject illus
/ trated in an extensive series Of tableaux TO
remain dead secret until the night of the
| MarGi 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 Orleans and Mobile. Baltimore pays
him $4,000 for this special feature but
! this represents by no means the whole OF
the pageant. As much, if not more, Will
be expended in other series of tableauN,
some of them designed and prepared by the
! different societies of the city, and Others
/ gotten Up under the immediate direction OF
! the general committee. An entirely new
I departure in this sort of parade will be the
use of platform cars upon which the tab
/ leaux will be constructed and which will be
run over the street car tracks. 1t Is estima-
ted that the pageant will reach length OF
three miles. and under electric, calcium and
/ other brilliant lights, will present scene to
be witnessed but once in lifetime. The
Mardi Gras will, however, be but one OF
| the great events Of the three days festivl-
ties. On Monday, the 10th, the new water
works are to be formally opened with a
beautiful display by 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
wear, and to do that il will indeed be great.
In addition to the military of Baltimore
and adjacent cities, it is expected that sew
eral of the military organizations en- route
to Yorktown will stop over and participate.
Aside from the soldier boys, there will be
grand display by Fire Departments, Ma
sonic, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, and
other organizations. At night, the glorious
OratoriO with it, almost countless voices.
Tuesday morning Is set apart for the recep-
t.0n Of the French visitors, and among
them. the Immediate decendents OF Lafay-
ette, De Barras, De Crosse, De Rocham-
beauK, and other great Frcnchmcn who
played SO grand part as the Glliesof Wash
ington during the revolution. With them
will come many Of the most distinguished
generals and naval officers. Two French
men -of-vas fully manned, are now on the
sea bound for the Chesapeake; and Balti-
mOre's welcome 10 her illustrious guests Will
he memorable one. Wednesday w'liiwit-
ness new honors 10 the French. and a gen
eral series of reception " 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 happy wind
up to the three days pleasures, and if all
comcrs 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 the
full spirit Of the celebration and announces
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 al0rding ample time for all. As
is well known, Baltimore hes an atundarce
of hotels, boarding houses and like places
of comfort, and no extra charge Whatever
will he made for accommodations during
the Oriole celebration. Nothing will be
spared to make the occasion the happiest
imaginable. Baltimore people knowing full
well that to fail in proving her claim TO be
the most hoapitablc city in the country,
would leave stain upon her fair fame and
name time could never blot out.