The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1893-07-25
A Carnival Of Lights.

The second annual night carnival of the
Riverton Yacht Club, which was held at
Rlverton, on Saturday night, was bril-
liant spectacle which will live long in the
memory of those who we're privileged to
see it. For years it was the custom of the
good people composing this family insti-
tution-the Riverton Yacht Club-to
have an annual picnic. These were of
course enjoyable affairs, but not more
than a couple of score of people could
take part.
A year ago, some bright genius, who
should have the credit which belongs to
him, suggested that, instead of this COM
paratively selfish sort of celebration, the
club and the residents on 1.-THE Bank"
should unite in night carnival. which
the entire population of Riverton could
enjoy. The plan was carried out, and the
fame of that first celebration was such
that Saturday night Riverton was crowded
with visitors from all the surrounding
country, and from Philadelphia as well,
to see the second.
The main feature of the carnival, Of
course. was the illumination of the yachts
on the river 'front.' The arrangements
were in the hands of committee OF the
club, consisting of Charles w. Davis. act
ing commodore; H. ]. Mitchell, VIM. K.
Ellison, L. A. Flanagan, G. A. Wright and
Charles Rianhard. Prizes were offered for
the best displays made in each class, and
Captain Pratt of the yacht Flossie, and
E. L. Young and R. K. Neff decided
which were entitled to honors There
we're upwards of 40 yachts, canoes,
launches and open boats on the river in
front of Riverton, and their owners had
taxed their ingenuity to see which could
invent the most effective style of illumi-
nation. Each boat utilized Chinese lam
terms of every imaginable size, shape and
color, and the designs in which they
were arranged were of the greatest beau
ty. One large boat had lines of lanterns
suspended up the mast and along each
line of the rigging and of the side, so
that it was perfectly outlined against the
darkness. Another carried huge star,
another design with the initials r. Z.
c." outlined in bright colors; yacht
foated gracefully up and down, her mast
transformed into glowing pyramid made
up of successive hoops, each supporting
many twinkling, swaying lanterns. The
effect from the shore was most brilliant.
During the evening the open boats were
arranged in long tows and under the es
cort of launches passed up and down the
river.
For the large cabin boats at anchor
the honor Of having the most effective
decoration was awarded to the yacht
Nautilus, owned by f. B. Shovel. Johr
G. S. Davis, and others. G. A. Wrigh
was awarded prize for the best Of thu
steam launches, and A. G. Cook captured
the honors for the prettiest of the mos
Quito fleet In the class of open boat
first honors went to Pennsylvania boa
carrying a large star, and second to thu
boat manned by Captain Charles M. Bid
die, Jr, Captain McIlvain Biddle, ant
' Robert Biddle, Jr.
/. The beauties of the carnival were not
I however. confined to the boats. The clul
house on the end of the pier was ablaz
: with lanterns, and nearly every hous'
: along the banks was gorgeous with hun
. dreds of swinging lights. The scene pre-
: sented from the end Of the pier, from
: which view could be had of the illu
r mination along the bank as well as OF
' the river, battles description. The light
Q shining out beneath the trees, the fioal
q ing masses of color on the dark waters
/ and the shimmering path made by tn
4 moonlight on the ripples combined t
a make up scene Of fairly like beauty
< The illumination of the houses on th'
Il bank was very elaborate. Among thos'
' which were especially noticeable were til
!. residences Of John G. s. Davis, e. H. o.
4 den. Charles Atherton, E. H. Filter, Jr