Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-02-07
Montreal Carnival.
TnE Crrr GAY AND CROWDED. WITH PEorLE.

The streets are thronged with sltighs of
every shape and description, from the dash.
ing four -in-hand to the habitsnt's red traineau
While the merry jingle of their bells rings
gayly through the clear frosty air. the pave
ments are 6lled with curious, jostlng pedes-
TRANS eager Ca see all that 10 to be seen.
Flags are fying from most of the public
buildings and many private residences, and
the whole town wears gala appearance.
The carnival was begun Monday afternoon
BY throwing open TO visitors all the toboggan
Aides and the opening of the out door skat-
ing Kinks where q hockey tournament was be-
gun in which the Montreal teams opened the
competition. But the great attraction of the
afternoon was the arrival of the Governor Gen
eral and suite by special train from Ottawa.
Their Excellencies were most ecclesiastical
~ received. the feature of the reception be-
ing Q living arch of snow. shoes. = decidedly
unique compliment The arch was covered
with evergreen, tastefully decorated with
flags and BY an ingenious arrangement Of
SNOW -shoers. snow shoes. and toboggsns q
most artistic effect was produced. Manned
BY hundreds of snow-shoers in their pic
turesQue and comfortable costumes, it formed
Q grand out. door tableau vivant. The arch
vas crowned by living group representing
q sigantic beehive, the crest of the pretty
branch of the Governors ancestral tree. with
the Lausdowne motto, "virtute non Verbs. -
Beneath 10 the word "welcome."
The ice palace, which Was thrown open
Monday, has been inspected BY hundreds of
strangers, and they were loud in their praises
Of the beautiful structure, which 10 the centre
and crown Of the carnival. Ii is castellated
in character. and is longer. narrower and
higher than the one of last year. Ii is of
composite architecture. and in it are from
10000 10 1900 blocks of ice. The main
tower h 80 feet in height. heing at its base
and for half its height 20 feet square. The
next stage, which 10 about l6 feet square, is
set on anglewise and rises to a height of 10
feet. On each side there are three pinnacles
The next stage 10 of octagvn shape, is - feet
high, and 10 surmounted With bsttlements
The extreme length of the building 10 100
feet, the widnh being 81 feet in the centre
and ~ feet ct either end. The eastern end ter
minates in an arc or semi circle. The west
ern extremity 10 square. There are four
nanking towers. the ends of each being Is
feet square. The porches at the front and
back are IA feet BY Is feet. There is ample
provision for admission and egress. there
being four entrances and three passage w4ys
The walls ut the base of the central tower are
6 feet inches thick and the curtain walls
joining the main building with the TANKS are
: feet high, the part of the main building
next to the centre tower rising to = height Of
% feet. The turrsts thanking the main or
central building are Sc feet from the ground.
The tower on the corner opposite Windsor
street 10 Of an altitude of 10 feet, the towers
on the north and south angles reaching up
ward - feet
Next TO the ice palace the leading attraction
Tor the visitors was the special Illumination
OF the Montreal 1obogganine Club grounds.
Chinese lanterns AID huge torches, which cast
strangely grotesque shadows across the white
suow and 6ickered on the faces of fair maids
and gallant men,as they went whizxing past on
- toboegans, skinming down tie hill in rapid
eoeceeston. Itwas amusing TO watch Americans
IN tAis exciting sport But they soon became
- enthusiastic a. the Canadians themselves.