The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1883-03-03

sweethearts and friends beneath the 6ss
guses excite the lIveliest animation. ms
clubs construct terraced platforms In 'front.'
of their houses, upon which are elevated
the guests of the members, both ladies and
gentlemen in the open air In costume de
riqcu6r. The professions move slowly by
nmids, the wild EXPLANATIONS of the AS
tonished beholders, the flashing of the
beautiful! eyes, the waving of bare arms
and the strains of sweet music. Scenes OF
equa. brllllance are seen nowhere else.
Then one wonders that all this can be put
in motion for the figure stated, extravagant
though II may sound prior to ocular DEM
ons,ratIon. The entire cost Of these pa
geants is met by the subscription OF the
clubs organizing them.
| The procession in which the "Phunny
Phorty Pheli0ws" take part is paid out OF
fund subscribed by the business men and
railroad interests of the city. Other Incl
dental expenses arc betrayed by the con.
trlbutions OF wealthy residents OF the city
or state, who thereby become, entitled to
certain titles and honors under ephemeral
sovereignty of the time. Dukeships OF
the Realm to the number of 25 are disposed
of at $500 each The gentleman who is
; crowned King of the Carnival is supposed
to pay $1,000 for the privilege of masquer.
aiding for few brief hours in the tinery Of
royal purple. He has also the right by
virtue of his c0ronOti0n TO choose the
Queen OF the Carnival, usually a lady
! famed for her beauty. Candidates for the
crown have never been wanting.
I Rex becomes for the nonce the ruling
spirit of the city. He is spoken OF not with
q testing tongue, but IN deterental sort OF
way that sounds most ludicrous to us Of
Northern instincts. Rex has special
: flag, he issues as startling manitestos AS
: Plon Plon, and reigns with an iron hand.
! HIS advent from abroad in ship sig.
nalzes the inauguration OF the Carnival.
d Great Caesar, passing the streets of Rome,
was not the occasion of greater ado. The
triumphsl cortege beralds the surrender of
the city 10 the god o! jollIty. The mayor
abdicates, the people cry "pace te Rot!'
and freedom OF action meets opposition
nowhere. Although the custom of going
about the street In domino and mask is
not 10 popular as of yore, still it Is adopted
by the frolicksome of both sexes to II more
or less extent. The largest license is t9le.
rated from maskers. Many fantastic
scenes are witnessed on the street. Rex
:. also gives ball at the Washington Artl,
lery Armory room having dancing
i floor which viii! accommodate 5000 peo-
, pie in waltz. This entertainment is tie.
signed for the delectation of the vast con-
course Of visitors who flock to the city to
see the spectacle. Invitations are distrib'
uted at the hotels and other public places
The balls given by the "Krewe OF Proteus''
and knights of MomAs" are attended
only by the hant ton OF the city, and such
j., others as are sufficiently recommended to
obtain cards. The toile. displays on these
occasions beggar description. Most of
( the gowas worn are imported. These balls
are given on succeeding nights. The
81 'Phunny Priority PheIlows" also dance al
one of the opera houses on Mardi Gras
l night.
e With the last draughts of champagne
} the fading strains Of Strauss, a streakec
. holz9n aud a tipsy guest, the Carnlva
al cOnps tn a tiruplv end New Orleans thoI