The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1883-02-10
KING REX.
Mardi Gras and the Carnival I'm New Or
leans 1.-The Event Expected 10 DO the
Grande.t Ever Witnessed in
the Crescent City.


polnp and spendor as on the approaching
occasion. For weeks and months they
have been making preparations for the
carnival, and it is now assured that the
coming event will Ike the grandest ever
witnessed In the Crescent City. In add
ton 10 the ILLUMINATING powers OF past
years is added the brllliancy of the electric
light, which Is grand feature Of the &C.
casion, especially as the most gorgeous az
we'll as the most brilliant displays take
place at night. Canal street fairly glitters
with the glare of Examinations, and the
brightness with which ohjects are shown
actually surprises the beholder. Indeed
one is In doubt in his own mind, as be
stands admiring the different phases OF the
scene, whether its grandeur 10 more strik-
ing when viewed beneath the glorious rays
of q MONDAY sun or by The dazzling glare
of the electric hight, In either case 1t pre-
sents scene o, grandeur rarely met with.
The readers Of the FREE TRADER are fa
miliar with tho word "MardI Gras," which
means Fat Tuesday" or the day before
Lent; yet 1t may be well to give here brief
explanation of the term and It's sIgnifica-
ton. Those who have never witnessed the
carnival can form no conception of what
il really is. In some countries, Spain and
South America especially, It is season OF
the most joyous and reckless hilarlty,
when every one gives himself up to un-
bridled license, totally ignoring all rules
Of etiquette and Formally, and induleing
In every whim that the most fertile lmagi.
nation can create. On such occasion all
caste is thrown aside and every one, rich
or poor, high or low, aristocrat or plebian,
enters into the spirit of the occasion with
the utmost zeal, mixing and mInglIDg with
each other on terms of equal footing, in
tent only upon deriving Us much pleasure
AZ the merry event will admit. In those
countries the carnival days present "a Gu.
nous and picturesque appearance. The
houses are profusely decorated with f!0w-
ers and otherwise ornamented. and the
streets are filed with a gay and motley
crowd, dressed in all manner Of fantastic
costumes, representing characters Of every
age and nationality, laughing, chatting
and playing jokes of every kind upon
each other. Here may be seen Spanish
cavalier of true Castllian descent hobnob.
ing with some hldeous negroes of gigantic
there teroclOus Indian,
dressed in all the toggeries OF his native
race, armed with some deadly weapon, and
leading far Spanish senorita apparently
captive; while kings, queens, princes,
soldiers, gay cavaliers and host
Of other characters lend their presence,
giving variety and animation TO the scene.
Among the thousand and one jokes played
upon unsuspecting victims might men,
ton that OF leaving the doors and windows
Of the house open, the parlors decorated
and 0rnamented in such way as 10 attract
attention, some object placed conveniently
near the window, go the passerby stops to
examine, when he receives a shower of eau
de- cologne In the face, ana then Is heard
he merry laugh Of some beautiful young
lady, who usually IS tho assallant In such
swect.scented warfare" who courteOusly
invites you in--for be 1t remembered no
,tiquette IL observed during the carnival
festivities. II you accept the invitation
,Ou are liable 10 DO "doused" In the face |
With handful Of -four, or seized by some
male attendants concealed in close prcI-
nifty and precipitated into tub OF water,
II perhaps rotten.egged for your civillty.
In France and Italy the festivities differ
omewhat, and the Carnival" by the way,
Ias an entirely different construction. 1t
3 derived from the Latin word "Carni
Flesh Carnival; C"Farewell TO
|esh.") And "Mardi Gras," meaning Fat
tuesday," the day before Lent, whom oil
God Catholics and Bpiscopallans bid
arewell to all amusemcnts, etc, during
he season Of Lent. The observance of the
estival, under its French name, has tor
many years been a usage Of great farce IN
New Orleans, and to promote lts highest
njoyment a number OF the better and
more wealthy citizens have banded them
elves together rs the Mystic Krew,"--
Comus" and REX, King of the Carni
whose joy-bringing scepter
II members cndeavor to be mirthful and
10 their best TO make Others happy during
he carnival season. ...
Years ago during Mardi Gras II was the
us,om for crowds of masKers to Ill the
treets In the daytime, and at an appointed
Iour to be marshaed together by His
dajesly Rex, King of the Carnival Then
companies and battalons Of troops, ma
ines, knights and gay cavaliers, the red
nan of the forest, the swarlby Turk, and
timer representatives OF the nations, with
tanners, glit,ering arms, gorgeous equip
lges and numerous bands, madcup Il scene
hat should be witnessed to- uv u1d,y-'.uu
But late years has shown change or moi.
tic alton i'm some Dartlculara Makers nj