The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-15
Memphi in the Thea,er.


Memphi in the Theater.
While the streets and avenues Of the
city were ablaze with lights and immense
numbers OF richly costumed mummers
swarmed in all directions spectacular
sight took place inside the theater worthy
the most enthusiastic admiration. This
was the display OF the order OF the Mem
phi, an order founded many years ago
TO delight and instruct their assembled
guests.
These, last night, filled every seat and
laid claim TO all standing room in the build
ing.
The theater was beautihed with floral
decorations and brilliant lights.
THE TABLEAUx.
The Memphi had issued their handsome
cards Of invitation several weeks before
the occasion Of the tabeaux last evening.
These exhibited intimatons of the themes
that the order had selected for illustration
on the stage. They were unmistakably
Egyptian aud Greek in character, but lit
tie more than this could bc inferred from
the invitation.
RETURN or THE MEMPIu.
When the curtain rose on the first pict-
ure the tale was unfolded. There in the
cavcrns and palaces Of the Grand 0uro,
located on the historic Nile, he and his
order, who had been absent from this
their loved capital in the new world for
eight ycan, were discovered in one grand
assemblage. glittering in armor and gor-
geous IN raiment. The Ouro, surrounded
by his household, the mobiles and guards
OF his realm, awaited till all was in read-
ness 10 give the command 20 commence
the wished for march from the far east
back TO their palaces and cavcrns in our
midst in which they dwelt and were
happy years agone. This picture was
truly lovely, and captured all lockers on.
BANQUET OF THE DEITIEs.
On the reverse side Of the invitation
card OF the Mcmphi were illustrations Of
events and scenes in the twenty years
war between the Greeks and Troans
(which resulted in the destruction OF the
splendid capital OF the latter people, in
revenge for the insult the former had ne
coivcd by the abduction Of the beautiful
Helen, wife Of Menalaus, King OF Sparta,
| by Paris, the son Of the King OF Troy.
Naturally, the conclusion would be reach.
cd that the second tableau OF tho Memphi
would reveal such events and scenes Of the
mighty conflict In front Of Troy. But such
was not the case. The tableau revealed
the Banquet OF the Dcities on Mount
Olympus which lead 10 the trouble be.
tween Greece and Troy and Troy's total
annihilation.
The account Of this myth or history is
| givcnas follows
When the ancient Kingdom Of Troy, In
Asia Minor, was in the zenith OF lis glory
and prosperity Jupiter concluded that the
world was becoming too populous, and
determined 10 bring about war between
Greece and Troy 20 kill of the surplus Of
mankind. His method to bring on such
war Is said 10 be this
Pcleus, King OF Thcsuly. who had
undergone many hardships and expert.
enccd wild adventures because subjected
10 the unholy solicitations Of llippolitc,
the wife Of Acastus, and after Pcleus sue.
cessfully resisted her Establishments, Jupi.
ter decided 10 reward such virtue as
Peleus had shown by allowing him god.
dess In marriage.
The goddess Thciis was chosen as the
bride for Pcleus and banquet in honor
Of the event was given nj the Court Of
Deties on Mount Olympus, which Jupiter
had selected ~ the occasion for his pur.
poses regarding the destruction OF the hu.
man race. When the banquet was at is
hight the Goddess Of Discord, whom Jupi.
ter had selected and instructed, suddenly
appeared In the midst OF the assembly aud
cast golden apple, bearing the inscrip.
ton ito the most beautiful" Tho result
can easily be imagined. Tho most
furious jealousy arose among the
goddcScs Venus, Juno and Minerva IN re-.
gard 10 their claims 10 the prize. They
asked Jupiter 20 make the decision, but
he was too crafty and wise 10 comply with
this request lie advised them 10 rcfor
the matter 10 the decision OF Paris, the son
Of Pham, King OF Troy, who was acknowl.
edged b. be the handsomcst man OF that
age, assuring the goddeRes tina, whatever
decision Paris might make he would ap.
prove. The yoddcssos consented, and
approached Paris on the subject, ono at a
time, offering him brides. Juno proheed
HIM rgal power over the world. Minerva
assured him wisdom and success In war.
Venus, however, rendered him the love Of
the most beautiful OF all women, II he
would award the prize 10 her.
II is needless 10 say that Paris yielded 10
tho proposition without a moments hest.
tation ana placed the discordant apple In
the open hand OF the Goddess of Love.
Helen, the wife OF Mcnalaus, King oI
Sparta In Greece, chancedto TO be the woman
whose love Venus had pledged 10 Paris
and thu the plans Of Jupiter for thinning
out the world commenced. Paris visited ths
court of Menalaus rs an ambassador from
his fathers court in Troy. lie saw Helen
fell In love with Ifolcn and elopcd with
Helen. The Greeks, in revenge for the
outrage pcrpetraicd by Paris, gathered
their warriors, and fought for twenty yean
for tho destruction Of Troy, which the,
accomplished.
30 the second tableau Of the McmphI
instead OF presenting scenes Of the scige o
Troy, gave 10 the eye glimpse Of IN,
0lympian festival, wherc The fato q
ancient Troy was determined and sealed
THE GRAND MARCH,
After these lovely .apleaux weye con
cludcd, The Semphl moved forward nm,
executed series Of Egyptian mIlitar,
figures, and indulgcd In quadrillo will
, the ladies In evening costume, and ther
suddenly disappeared, 10 be seen no NOR
! until Mardi Gras night OF next year.
Happy was tho girl who was chosen b
. | one ol the mvsterious strangers. and wit