Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1883-09-25
For the Spirit of Jcfcrson.l
OrioIe Afterthoughts.

physically, financially, the Oriole has
helped our people.
Spiritually, because it has made us
more cheerful, more contentcd, more
thankful.
Mentally, for the grand Object
teaching has opened up to us new
fields of thought and research.
Morally, for the contemplation of
beauty and purity combined always
exalts and rcfines.
Physically, for exercise dcvelopes
strength, and the show of manly
powers excites to exercise:
FinancialIy,-and really this is the
smallest part of it, the least impor-
tant-it was an undoubted success.
Forty-Five Thousand Dollars spent
for Pageant that brings to our City
Seventy Thousand visitors, who will
spend five dollars piece. just figure
it up yourself, please; my head this
morning is mere figurc-head, but
not good for figuring.
After the clouds rolled by, and the
sun smiled down upon us, the waiting
people crowded the streets all in a
good humor, all jolly, all filled to over
flowing with the Carnival spirit.
Nothing could be more enhancing
than the parade in the harbor on
Thursday night. Millions of lights
dancing here, there and everywhere,
each light reflected in the water; the
stately Royal Ship of Cecilius blaze
of splendor, reminding one of Cleo
patra's Barge; the bombs bursting
high in air, throwing out showers of
gold and silver; the sound of music
on the water, the whistling of tugs,
the ringing of bells, the roar of can
non, the loud shouts of the loyal sub
jccts all blended to make up a recep-
ton worthy of high mightincss.
The street parade on Thursday
night, while not an electric success,
still was very pleasing and we'll re-
ceivcd. The martial bearing of our
gallant Fifth, the proud and happy
Colored Troops marching with musical
solos, the many bands of music, the
G.. A. r. and secret societies with
their torches, land the very magnificent
display made by the fire department,
all formed a grand escort for Lord
Cecilius and his Noble Court.
Our Noble Prince stood in his
Chariot bowling most graciously to his
people, and kissing his hands to the
ladies in very impartial manner.
AS small boy in front of me re-
marked, He is Washer, amt he 2"
His Lords in waiting had evidently
raided some Costumer's shop, for
they were most gorgcously arraycd in
purple and crmine, and had faint
suspicion of Circus people about
them.
Yesterday people pulled and
pushed, crushed and rushed, tumblcd
and were humbled upon the gaiIy
decked streets. In the bright sun
light the decorations showed off to the
best advantage.
The Star Spang!ed Banner, the
green golden crowned flag of Rex,
the sable and gold of Cecilius, and
the white banner with its golden ira
cings of the Oriole, blended in a cloud
of bunting covering Baltimore street.
AS night came on, even as all the
rivers run into the sea, so all the peo-
pie began to run to see the Pageant.
They all went, locking up their houses
and carrying the baby along. For
from three to five hours they waited
upon the streets, merry, happy
crowd, who had left all care and
trouble at home.
Large bodies move slowly, and Big
Sam had just Numbered out eleven
when the head of the column turned
into Calvert from Baltimore street.
Seated in the Reverdy johnson
building, facing the battle monument,
over forty of jefferson folks had a
magnificent view, and the waiting
time flew by so pleasantly that it did
not seem long; while the Pageant
was passing the moments were each
supreme moments, each one frcighted
to the water line with the rarest plea
sure.
First came the big bell, and it would
take the pen of Poe to sing the song
of the Oriole Bell, each year it rings
and its echoes roll on to the next hol-
iday time.
Then the Marine Band, in a flood
of light, producing such music as it
alone can produce.
Lord Baltimore reclining at case
in his golden shell car, drawn through
sea of silver by two immense white
swans; behind him two huge Lynn
Haven Oysters opened their shells,
disclosing fairies of the Iolanthe type.
This was the first float. Then came
float after float of such unrivalIed
beauty and unparalleled magnificcnoe
that an attempt at description would
be useless. Illustrating in the first
division Igratius DonnclIy' ingenious
book on the Lost Continent, and in
the second Washington Irvings Lost
Kingdom, the subjects were handled
i'll mastery manner. All phases of
life in the wonder land, lost so long
ago, were displayed to our charmed
vision. No poet ever dreamed a
dream so beautiful, no opium cater
ever reyelled in half the glorics that
filled last night. No Mclnotte ever
pictured to loving Pauline land of
such bewildering beauty.
Let me mention just one float, "The
Blessed Santiago" Warriors mount