Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-02-15
mONTREALs CARNIVAL.
The cain pay OF tho winter Festival

The cain nay OF tho winter Festival,
Wednesday was the grand gala day Of the
Montreal carnival, and as business waa zen.
orally supended thousands were added 10 tht
pleasure seekers The event Of the day, and
of the week, was the attack, defence ant
capture OF the ice palace at night 10y tht
snow-shoe clubs of the city and vicinity 70
the number Of about 1000. The palace wa
defended by city volunteers. The club
were drawn up in regular order for the at
tack. Each snowshocr bore a flaming tOrcl
and the scene as the clubs marched to anc
took up their positions was one never to b.
forgotten. The square was densely packed
| Grand stands holding thousands OF people
were erected on the vacant land on the site
| Of st. Peters church and the DOrchcstcI
street Methodist church, facing eithcl
| end OF the palace, and these were literally
packed with people. Tho Windsor hotel
which occupies an admirable site for The
view, was packed at every door and window
Of it's front and Dorchester side, and even
the roof held hundreds, as did indeed all
buildings in the vicinity. Lord and Lady
Lsnsdownc and suite watched the panorama
served for them. Fifty cents was charged
for positions on the grand stands, and their
fortunate owners coined money.
The signal for the attack was rocket
from the palace. Instantly the air was filled
with fires from the rockets and fireworks
which were discharged by the attackers and
defenders Of tho fort. The battle ragged
furiously. A crimson light soon showed up
indicating that the palace has been fired IN
several places.
The fire grew hotter and hotter and thC
buildings and scenery about and the sea OF
faces took on the dull red glare Of the car
mage. Soon perfect hail Of fire pourcc
over the walls and an outburst of flame
throughout the palace indicated that hC
! magazine had blown up, and the castle cap
itulated. Then the immense line Of torch
| lighted attackers marched into and through
the castle and ont again aud retired through
| the principal streets up over the mountain
| the route ablaze with light and lined through
out with eager spectators packed close to
gether Onward went the victorious host
upward, scaling the mountain height, Till Thu
last torch glimmered on the brow Of th'
| mountain and was gone. Then the grea
crowd broke into wild and dis
orderly mass, some endcavofipg TO g
home some to get into and inspect the cap
tured palace, and some having apparently nc
well conceived idea as to where they did
want to 90. 1t was well after midnight
when the great square assumed It's normal
aspect.
At the grand sleigh parade the spirit Of
the carnival seized many Of the city wags,
and some happy "skits' on "TalIy Ho'
coaching clubs were the consequence,
"Tuque Bleue" Snow-shoe club turned ont
an old express wagon, with seats in pyramid
shape, on which were fifty snow-shOers with
masks and flags. Behind, high in air, were
two "daIkcys' in coaching costume, and
with coaching horns which they used
Justify. This rig was drawn by six farm
horses gayly decorated, but their pace was
| the opposite Of the ITALIA Hos An
| other amusing and primitive zig WAS con
| structed of hickory, the Shafts ant
runners in onepiece. Oscar Wides admir-
ers were out with tandsm team, the lead
ing horse being decorated with suntiowcr
and japanese fans. The sleigh looked a
though it had lain in some old barn since tn
French occupation. The Dudes were REP
resented by detachment of lacrosse player
in buffalo robe 'cats" and Mother llubbar
straw hats. They spOrtcd a ionr.ln-han'
The Corn Exchange members took lhe
airing in a strong grain sleigh, with lon
heavy draugbt horses Mot of the u!pu
bcrs are SC tch, and hey made The wclk'
Iring, their proud piper playing "Sco'Ihu
forever" There wa also aluhoGLaa sleigh
to which vas attached lively i.nnct til
only animal of its kind known 70 have bee
born in captivity in this country.