New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-26
GAYETY IN MONTREAL.
SPORTS OF CARNIVAL WEEK.


RACES ON THE IcE-A BANQUET TO THE VISITORS
A FANCY DRESS CARNIVAL AND CONCERT
IN THE EVENING.
MONTREAL, Jan. 25.-The Carnival sports to-day
surpassed those of yesterday in every respect,
although Wednesday was looked upon the great
day of the week. The air after the keen night
frost. nearly as balmy as in Nav, the mercury,
with bright shining, standing at 800 above
at noon. The spots were also of q more popular
character than on previous days, and the arrival
of strangers from all points In the morning exceeded
that of any day since the beginning Of the car
nival.
Nearly all the persons Of note from New-York
and the Eastern States who came to attend the
fancy dress carnival tonight and grand ball to-
morrow arrived here to-day. II Is acknowledged
by every one, whether stranger or citizen,
who had any misgivlngs regarding the
tournament. that 1t has passed the trial
stage and has become a great success. The sports
OF to-day were witnessed with DELIGHT by probably
10000 or 10000 spectators, who eagerly ga hrred
in seighs foot upon the Icy st. Lawrence.
Trotiing races Of a mile and mile and half were
extensively patronized by the spectators. who
manifested the deepest interest and anxiety IN their
progress and result. Next came the skating races,
which were only second interest to the trottlng
As ls universally known, Montreal men and women
are like ducks who take 70 the water when born
1t is literally true that they skating soon after
they are able to walk. The fascination in the ex-
ercise, which to be hereditary, increases as
they grow older and when they have arrived at
manhood or womanhood for the women are even
more expert than the men, they can rival the best
skaters for grace or agility.
Proof of this last assertion was seen by thousands
on tho river rnks this afternoon. The contests were
in some cases more closely fought than were the
trotting matches. The snowshor races. in costume
Literally patronihed. as thew are among the
most popular OF Canadian Sports. and gave un-
limited pleasure TO the sigh seeTs who watched them
with interest. There some spirited running and
neck-and-neck endings. The curling bonsDiel was
also continued and as usual monopozed the Scotch
men and lasses until all was concluded. There was
q grand stampede by vehicles and pedestrians In the
evening to get of the ice as the temperature was
lowering. II occasioned much fear TO those who
looked on from the roadway above.
In the evening there was renewed illumination
Of the palace, which drow thousands % witness it
aud wonder at its dazzl y beauty. Such
picturesque and strange slglt this ice building
presents under an electric illumination IS hard to
describe. With the practical knowledge now OBJ
tanned the palace of he future will be five times
as pretentious as the present one.
IanCy-0ftsN CdIDlNal III flClnlla anu u
COZ cert celebration of the anniversary of Burnvs
birthday. were the closing incidents OF the day:
The building in which the former took place Is OF
large p oportIOns. The interior was decorated with
flags abO, G. WHITE the had an ice grotto III the
centre and n foun am inside. Illuminated with
Greek fire. The effects produced by the varegated
lights were beautiful The Dire ses were after all
countries and characters. and were generally hand
some anu rich. Tn comic side could hardly be ex-
ceed IN Paris. and reminded one of the gay scenes
witnessed there during the carnival. The concert
was a great SUCCESS Scotch lads and lassies attend
ing in their str, n 9Th. The songs were all National
and gennine SCOTTISH celebration finished the day
rather the night.
Tomorrow and on Saturday the festivities Of the
week will end. More novel fea ures are promised
and the excitement IL at irs height. IL is
worthy of remark that while the srran gers have
come here for amusement and hiarity there has
been crnse Iaken or excess INDUCED IN. The
civic banquet rendered 10 the nigh official visitors
fr,m the Unted States and elsewhere occurred at
the Windsor Hotel this morning and " as jubilant
affair. The Mayor presided aud tn" whole CITY
Couuci we're present. Erasius Wiman, who aided
80 materially in promoting The interests OF the car
nival in New York. responded as one Of the guests
and predicted from the success achieved az he first
attempt that double trebl the number of visitors
would pour IN next year witness tue greater pro-
IN A. Dalage erection.