Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1888-03-15
THE WENNESE CARNIVAL.
How the Brilliant Affair Appears to
Spring field Man.

How the Brilliant AFFAIR Appears to q
Springfield Man.
DIR. Jay W. Morrison has just written
personal letter to his colleague, DR.. John G.
Kennan. giving a graphic description of the
carnival just closed at Vienna, and the RR-
PUBLIC is kindly permitted TO print the fol-
lowing from it. DR.. Morrison will be home |
In the next six weeks. He writes:
The carnival closed in Vienna last Tues |
day with Redoute in the Grand opera
house, and 1t formed very brilliant and
gay termination to the short season. 1t is
said that each year the carnival sensibly
diminishes, and the time is not far off when
one may see the last of this ancient and
attractive season. The only thing which
remains of interest are the masked balls
which retain much of their characteristic
quality, and still entice visitors from the
highest circles, male and female. At least
such Is the case here in Vienna. In Paris
the taste for them is dying out. am told.
At RedOute the ladies wear masks and
disguise themselves as much as possible,
either in domino" or with draperiss
of lace. The correct" thing to do is to
wear a long train and allow it to be
trampled on in preference to holding it up.
But the head dress Is the important thing,
and very much ingenuity is shown in its
. selection, and care taken to conceal its
design from friends before the occasion, as
the great object, so far as ladies are con-
cerned. at redoute, is to enjoy perfect in
cognitu.
Gentlemen wear full evening dress and
keep their hats on, but they wear no masks.
The entertainment consists in speaking
with friends and acquaintances and using
the familiar ''Du" instead of 'Sie'
is mystifying them as to your
+ identity, and teasing them; and
II you happen to be in pos
session of any little secret concerning
5 them so much the better. Every one prom.
enades; the ladies 90 up to any gentleman
they like, take his arm and walk about
with him until they are tired or see some
one else they wish to tease.
: Last Tuesdays Redoute was great sue.
cess, at least to me 1t was. and every mo-
ment was full of interest. 1t was held In
the Imperial Grand opera house, which il
q magnificent building, with seating ca
pacity of 2, $50. The interior is richly dec
, GRATED and painted and embellished witt
I statues and medalliOns. The block of car
: riages in the neighbOrhoOd of the oper,
q house was so dense between 10 anC
III o'clock that 1t was almos
an impossibility to drive through
: By half-past eleven the vast auditorium
: and stage were so crowded that one could
scarcely move, and the boxes and gallerie
we're entirely filled with spectators. Stand
ing at the head of the double staircase lead
/ ing down to the auditorium, the effect wa
truly magnificent, the brilliantly illumin
ated building swarming with gay merry
. makers. Some of them from the extraor
d binary decorations on their heads scarcel
seeming to be human beings, was very STIR
king. Enormous birds, cats, butterflies
birds nests, and pots of flowers, were wor
10 as head dress by the ladies, and one lad
wore whole palm tree.
II Straussfs delightful string band near tn
:. entrance, and military band situated |
!" the exiremesnd of the gallery, played a
ternately the most intoxicating music, whic
m made some of the visitors wish that dancin
10 was on the programme.
:, Shortly after midnight many members {
i the aristocracy whose balls were over ;
midnight, swelled the number Of PRONE
7. naders and a number of the imperii
family were pointed out to me. 1t wa
rather late when returned to my hote
l. but 1 had seen the last of carnival for tn
year.
G. / attended reception on the eve {
:. Washington's birthday. given by. Gener
u Lawton, United States minister, and Mr.
" Lawton. to all Americans residing in V
emma. 1t seemed good, indeed, to meet
,o room full of Americans again, and thin
. every one felt as did, that after all thel
'p are no people like Americans, and that
IN General Lawton we have a minister wi
J. acknowledges his social duties as well |
his official responsibilities toward his coul
trymen.
Good bye until next time.
:, Yours truly, JAY W. MORRISON.