The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-02-16
MARDI GRAS.
The Eve of the Long Lenten
Fast.
Yesterday a Season of Feasting
and Merrlment-The Day
in the City.

calleQ Marul GrhS OF fab tuesday,,
and is season of good cheer and merri-
ment. 1t is day of carnival and merry
making and good will, and as such is duly
observed in many of the large cities, es-
pecially in the south.
In Europe it has been observed for cen
turtles, but not until 1927 was the masked
parade introduced into
NEW ORLEANS
by some young Creole gentlemen Just
returned from Paris. Ten years after the
pageant was introduced, and now each } ear
witnesses gorgeous and brilliant display.
In 1872 REX, or the king of the Car
nival," made his first appearance in New
Orleans, and added greatly to the at
Effectiveness and grandeur of the display.
"Rex" arrives annually at noon on Shrove
Tuesday and always has the keys of the
city delivered up to him. In his march
through the city he is preceded by two
pages bearing his sceptre and the key OF
his kingdom on velvet cushions, and is
escorted by guard of soldiers and
courtiers. In 1857 the first night parade
was introduced by secret society, the
"MYsTIoK KREwB OF ooMUs,"
and they carry out all their arrange
ments and make all their prepara-
tions in profound secrecy. No
one knows when, where or how
they prepare themselves, and their advent
is always an entire surprise to the public.
Their parades usually illustrate some poem
or event in history. In 1873 the Oar
winian theory was given to the world, and
it was eagerly seized upon by the merry
makers, and furnished them broad field
in which to let their imagination play and
create wondrous figures, representing
CURIOUS BLENDING
of the human, the animal, and the vegeta-
BILE world. The first Mardi Gras ever oh
served in Austin was of the Darwinian or
der, and the parade of the "Mysticl
Krewe" at night was witnessed by thou
sands. Every house on the avenue ant
Pecan street WIS brilliantly Illuminated
and in front of many of thu
business houses between the avn
ing posts myriads of gas jet
were arrnged in fantastic shapes. Tive
arches of colored lights spanned tn
avenue, and two Pecan street, while rock
cts, Roman candles, fountains, wheels ant
other beautiful fire works of every de-
scription were touched off in great pro
fusion. The procession extended from
East avenue west on Pecan street
to Neches sire ct, five blocks. The ohario
of King Oomus, profusely decorated, was
drawn by
TWELVE DANIELS
from Colonel Coopwood's ranch, nea
Elgin.
The procession extending from Eas
avenue, west on Pecan to a point opposit
the Milburn wagon wareroom, was a gilt
tering stream of splendor, and, noticeabl
among the Darwinian characters compos
ing it, was magnolia bud
BEAUTIFULLY AND woNDBoUsLY
humanized. A great prickly cactus will
human legs and a human head, repre-
senting a testy, snarling old maid o.
bachelor, the reporter is not certain which
but is perfectly willing to let the old mali
have the honor. Birds were humanized
and gorgeous peacock was represente,
as just about to change to fashionabl
dude. A character of aldermanic proper
tions carried the head of hog, an
the famed transformation in Circe's roya
palace was not more wonderful. An ass
gorilla, an ape, a large constructor, deel
bear and other animals were effectivel
and marvelously humanized, and th
characters, viewed from the top of tn
awnings and galleries along the line o
, march, presented a strange medley of tn
impossible in the world of nature. Tn
streets we're blaze of light, and thou
J sands of sight-seers from miles around an
from all the adjoining counties were her
to witness the novel, imposing and mag
| ical sight. For that night the city ap
,peared to be in the hands of the magi o
old.
And we'll did they exercise their score
and mysterious art.
THE DAY IN THE CITY.
Yesterday only the "King of the Carni
val" made his appearance, "Comus" post
poning his visit until next year.
The procession yesterday was heade'
by Captain Won Rosenberg's cavalry
I with their new and handsome horse equip
ments. They had been ordered by "Rsx
to act as his advance guard, and like gal
liant and true soldiers they obeyed tn
order.
The Male Rifles, in handsom
uniform, followed the cavalry, t
protect His Royal Highness fror
the too close approach to his person b
! his subjects.
. "Rex" in royal robes was in his fame
chariot, drawn by six horses. Followin
the chariot we're his lackys and courtieri
Then followed the float of the Anheust
Brewing company and that of Mr.. Lem
, the latter being handsomely and apprc
Q priately decorated.
r Then came "Poor Old Prohibition" TO
lorn and forsaken.
The Domestic sewing machine Seaut
, fully adorned then came along.
Mr.. Nicholson, the grocer, and NJ
Lesser, the soap manufacter, had han
some floats representing their respecti'
: houses.
i The Phoenix Cigar factory had the be
I arranged and most attractive affair in o
line, for which "KiDg Rex" in person T
I turned his royal thanks, and will ma
g special mention in his next roy
u message to his subjects. On
e we're cigar makers at work,
funny, merry-making clown represent
by Joe Armstead, ferocious India
symbolic of the grateful weed and
soothing, peaceful dreamy smoke.
'e Hundreds of people thronged the sid
e, walks, aud hundreds were on the CALLER
and OH top of the awnings along the Ii
Va | nf roaroh Tho oifv aahnnla furnad nj