The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-03-10
FAT TUESDAY IN MEMPHIS
PRESIDENT MADDEN FORBIDS
MASKS TO BE WORN.
The Day n Tame One SO Far as the
Carnival Is Concerned
Two Balls.

Fat Tuesday in Memphis is bscom.
ing quite lean. The FIRST observar CO
of the day in Memphis will be 4 vivid
u emory always with those who took
part in or witnessed il. Nearly every
man and boy who could sfford cos.
tune put 1t on and enjoyed himself Il
the top Of his bent. Ii was the excep-
ton rather than the rule 20. TO be
masked. The next year and the one
following there were fewer maskers,
but professions and tableaux Of ur.
surpassed magnificence. The Mem.
phi piled on the sgony too high, and
expended in one grand blaze and
glory Mardi Gas fuel OF sufficient
quantity to have sufficed for half q
dczsn very oreditable nor less preten.
tious displays. In q word, Mardi Gias
fervor has dwindled into absolute in
difference. This mournful conclusion
must have been forced upon the
minds OF those who witnessed yes ter
days feeble attempt to revive the
glory OF the carnival.
A trades procession might have
been, with a microscope, aud few
giddiest Of the giddy msgnified every
bootblack with false face on into a
troop Of mssqueradeTs. The full enjoy
ment Of the two balls TO take place
last night was marred by that infexi.
BILE moralist, Supreme Dictator David
Park MADDEN. B fore proceeding with
the business of the Police Court yes
terdsy morning, that grave and reve-
end seiRneur sought to fence in the
town with the following pronuncia-
mento:
81 have had great many inquiries
for permits for masked balls here OF
late. l understand there is one to be
given tonight at the Exposition.
They can give the ball, but there is to
be no masking allowed. l have come
to the conclusion that these masked
balls have got to be stopped. They
are the ruin Of thu community. When
the parties come to me fora permit for
this ball tonight am going to give
them straight permit but allow no
masking. They can wear as fancy
costumes as they please, but they c. n
not wear masks on their faces"
The boys and some of the girls were
struck dumb by this ruling, the most
remarkable since the days OF the
Puritan fathers. As a matter of simple
fact, the most brszsn portion of the
coy maiden. in the habit OF attending
Carnival balls, is her face, and il were
charity to allow her to hide it with
mask from the callow youth. And as
may readily be imagined. tn fair but
frail cevotees az Momus's shrine, in
revenge for the restriction as ID their
faces, went TO the last limit in the
lavish display of such other charms OF
person as they were possessed.
THE EXPOSITION BALL.
The chill norther that struck the
city last night seemed to have found
congenial abiding place at .he Expo.
sition Hall, for it was there in all it's
glacial integrity, and sent cold shivers
down the backs OF the adventurous
maidens who paraded its floors in
short dresses, sleeveless and decollste.
There were about fifty CT the softer
sex present and about 800 of the male
persuasion, the latter carefully envel-
oped in overcoats and standing alt out
in shivering groups, Witnessing the
feeble efforts made by score or two
Of dancers to keep warm. Reminds
cences of Fulton aud the opening night
of the Garden Wall lowered in the air
and cast gloom over the proceedings
that even the fine music of Arnold's
band wa3 unable 10 dispel.
THE SKATING RINK.
A similar scene was in progress st
the skating rink, and the attendance
fully up to that OF the rival ball across
the way. There was even here and there
to be noted in the crowd desperate
effort at costliness of costume which
found expression in one case in a
black velvet bodice and skirt, and in
another in an elaborate imitation OF
Of the garb of an Indian princess, with
feathers in her hair and the inevitable
in her hands, with
out which no ballroom Indian
princess would be complete. Outside
Of these two isolated cases there was
no effort st elaborate costume, on the
contrary the general run OF the dress.
ing was rather the reverse OF elaboIat,.
1t was NJ quite as cool ct the rink aa
At the Exposition building, but it
tc ok vigorous dancing and powerful
to keep ones self warm.