The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1885-04-15
MARDl CRAS IN NEW ORLEANS.


served by the Catholic and Episcopal
Churches. What is it in this Franco
American Crescent City of the Gulf?
Let us see. On Sunday morning
the streets of New Orleans, which
were already swarming with stran-
gers, we're still further crowded by
the arrival of thousands of new
corners, each wishing TO be on hand
for the carnival festivities. On Mon
day the dense throng swollcd to
still greater proportions, and il is
said that never were there so many
strangers in the city before.
The morning papers announced
the mandates of REX" the great
unknown, who presides rs king of
day. All places of business were
ordered to be closed, the streets
through which professions were to
pass to be decorated, the steamers
to obey certain iniunctions, and
various other us pcrcmptory orders
were given over the signature of
ellis Most Blessed Majesty, Rex"
One hardly knew whether to ac-
knowledge this new rule in repub-
lican country, but no choice was left
in the matter. On attempting to 90
aboard one of the twenty steamers
lying at the levee an official promptly
blocked the way ofS the would-bc
passenger, and in the most serious
manner declared that no boat could
leave till twelve O'Clock, by order of
the king
When twelve O'Clock arrived, how
ever, the river presented Il festive
sight. All twenty steamers, with
their tall, slender smokc-stacks, with
flags and strcamers flying, backed
out into the stream, and in lordly
procession escorted the King and
his court to the Exposition Grounds.
For two mortal hours nearly 1000
people had been waiting for his ap-
proach. 1t was at last signaled by
the booming of cannon, the playing of
bands, and the steady tramp Of sold
icrs and cadets. A thousand seats had
been reserved upon the platform, and
there the King and his court, with
the host of armed attendants, were
seated. The multitude chcered, the
king upon his throne bowed low, and
the rafters rang with cheers again.
A royal crown was presented and
placed upon his head. The golden
keys of the city, which had already
been given him by the Mayor, lay
upon another cushion. All about
the throne stood dukes and mobiles
and military guards. The costumes
of this mock retinue were very real,
whatever the titles may have been.
They are all imported from Paris at
great expense, and the unaccustom-
ed dgnitaries are arrayed in them
by professional costumer, who
makes the long journey for this pur-
pose alone. Jewels and embroidery,
velvets and ermine, chain mail and
soft tunics, made brilliant display
on the broad platform of the Music
Hall.
The " Duke of Education"
George Soule, followed in a long
address, which was very clever
combination of wit and wisdom, and
which contained felicitous apos-
trophe to the old Liberty Bell.
Judge Braughn, "Lord High Cham
berlain," in behalf of his Majesty,
returned thanks to his loving and
beloved subjects for their royal
greetings.
This closed the public exercises,
although many ladies were present
ed to the king before the curtain was
drawn.
All this fuss and pageant, half
real and half joke, was but prelimi-
nary to the festivities of the day.
There are several clubs or secret
societies that share in pleasing the
populace at this merry time; the
"Rex Court" the ''Krewe of Pro-
teus," and the "Knights of Momus,"
with others less important. Three
great balls, on as many nights, are
given by these different societies, to
which personal invitations are sent,
and where full evening dress is
absolutely required. Three street
pageants are also important features
of the celebration, and to these the
people flock from miles around. The
first took place on Monday night,
representing in panorama the "Myths
and Worships of China" The
second was the Rex procession on
Tuesday afternoon, and the third
and final the Menus pageant on
Tuesday evening.
These procession are made up of
about twenty " floats" as they are
called. A float is large, low truck,
drawn by four mules. Upon these
are built up the structures of papier
mache and wood, on which the
masked and costumed participants