Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-02-03
THE BIG BALL,
To Be Given Mardi Gras Night, all
Arranged.
Something Worth The Whole OF
an Ordinary Celebration,
Pageant and ALL
WHO sETs THE Kids

Considerable disappointment was
caused Thursday by the news that
King Menus could not visit Memphis
on Fat Tuesday, but it was c~onsidera-
bly, Modified BY the accompanying in
telligence that his Prime Minister and
Boss Bottlewasher would certainly
come down with certain other impor-
tsnt personages of the Kingly Krew,
in whose honor a grand ball would be
given.
So deeply is the idea OF celebrating
Mardi Gras rooted in the brain Of the
average Memphian, that he is loathe
to pluck it out. 1t is pretty certain
that the dealers in masks and COS
tunes will make money in spite of the
decision of the societies not to indulge
in street pageants.
The festivities during the day will
not be according to any regular plan,
but after a sort Of gO>as-yousplease
fashion which, according to the views
Of a great many, is really the best and
most enjoyable manner to keep the
festival. The first Mardi Gras cele-
bration ever had in Memphis was after
this fashion, and it has often been
asserted that it was merrier and a
greater success in every way than any
which have succeeded it. Of course,
it is not likely-yet why notP-that the
coming festival will be so universally
observed as that one was, but a good
many have already announced their
intention to mask; many have also
actually prepared costumes, and
others, who apparently take no inter.
est in the matter, may conclude to
participate at the last moment. For
these reasons it cannot be said with
certainty how many maskers will
throng the streets during the daytime,
though it is pretty dead certain that
the grand ball at night will be
thronged with citizens and others
from the surrounding country for a
radius of a hundred miles or more.
No scene can possibly be imagined
more attractive han a grand hall,
blazing with the sparkling light of
myriads Of gas jets, each reflected a
hundred times in the waxed floor be-
meath; the mssqueraders alone, in
pairs and arranged in sets for the
dance, the rhythm of dainty
feet as they keep step with
the bright music of the
band; the fash Of jewels and the glis-
tening and steering Of magnificent
costumes of silk, satin and velvet;
sylph like female forms, splendidly
costumed, hiding behind provoking
bits of pasteboard, and darting, as
from an ambush, bright g%lances from
flashing eyes as they go whirling by.
This is the portion of the spectator
who can not fail to be interested,
amused and instructed, no matter
whether he sit in the amen corner on
Sundays or only on the moist banks Of
an Arkansaw lake. Such a ball as
has been described has been
designed for the occasion and
those in charge have, as already
announced, nearly completed arrange
ments. The ball is to be given at the
Exposition building, which has been
thoroughly renovated and otherwise
made ready for the occasion, and the
committee will see to it that the en-.
tertainment will be worth the whole
Of any ordinary Mardi Gras celebra-
ton all put together.
A pet kid is to be awarded by a
committee to the lady wearer of the
fanciest costume.