Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-27
IN A BLAZE OF GLORY
The Day Before Lent Closed in
 the Crescent City.
MOBILE, MOTHER OF MYsTIos,
Also Does Herself Proud-The Crowds Too Dense for
 Description.

NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 26.--New Orleans is enjoying what the cockney calls ssoueen's weathern--that is. sunshine galore, with no mud to speak of, aud the prospect of continuance of these atmos- pheiic conditions for lhe next twenty four hours. After that sackcloth and ashes will fit in well with drizzle of rain. The crowds were simply enormous. For years those who were delegated to write up the street scenes at carnival time have been pushed to considerable straits to fiud words adequate to truth fully describe the density of the multitudes that flock to New Or leans to do honor to King Rex. The throngs of the year 1895 will go down on record as among the great audiences that have waited patiently to greet the kiug.
 Yesterdays attendance was not marker to that of today. Our country cousins are out in force, and the man with the lunch basket and his wife are also in strict evil dence all along the line. There seemed to be no diminution in the interest taken in the function, and men, as well as women, who have witnessed a score of previous carnival demonstrations were as eager to get what they called "good places' as the fellow with his best girl that had come to the city for the first time in his life to have look at the famous sights of the Crescent City and take in the carnival of 1895. h. deed the sight on the public streets never more fitly illustrated what was meant by the Psalmist's saying: "Young men and maidens, old men and children.' They were all there in good shape, feeling splen- did and determined to have royal good time.
 APPEARANCE OF HIS MAJESTY.
 When the king appeared he was greeted by the vast crowds with that applause that was to be expected from so loyal coinmu- nity as the citizens of the carnival city and their thousands of visitors. The proces- sion of his majesty was a continuous ova- tion from start to finish. The subject chosen by Rex this year is Fergus Humes' "Chronicles of Fairy Land,' and it offers exceptional opportunities ior brilliant and artistic treatment. The different floats are tableaux taken from the point of the scene of the story of the water witch, red elf, the golden goblin, sorrow singing aud the en- chanted princess.
 Peaf Gras in a handsomely decorated float. and the second was a gorgeous title car. Rex was on bewilderingly beautiful float and wore superb costume.
 Float No. 1 was introductory and was splendid creation of jewels aud mountain treasures. The other floats were as fol- lows:
 King Oberon's library, the salamander, the water witch (continued on four hoats), the rose princess, moon fancies ton two fioats), the golden goblin, sorrow singing lon two foats), the red elf (on two Hoats) and finally the enchanted forest, making twenty gorgeous and brilliant cars aud one of the ii nest pagean.s Rex has ever treated his subjects to-. The parade completed its route early in the afternoon.
 Tonight his majesty is holding grand reception at Washington Artillery hall, and will be visited by both Comus aud <t | thcir
 MYSTIC KREwE OF CoMus.
 ''The Mystic Krewe of Comus'' pageant tonight was equal If not superior to any which has been displayed heretofore.
 Promptly al o'clock it started, but was delayed somewhat on St. Charles avenue near it's starting point by perfect jam of vehicles of all descriptions and deDse masses oi humanity. As soon as these ob- structions could be removed the spectacle moved on without further hitch. Ihesnb- ject-chosenewas the songs oi long ago, and they were most beautifully illustrated on two floats.
 No was "Comusp seated on Tyre shaped thu one, holding in his hand his favorite cup. Before him ,playing on pipes, barp and cymba 8, were three gay dancing attendan nts, and behind him golden notes of harmony vibraltd in asclntillant vel.
 No. 2, ''The Songs Of Long Ago. Against three half rolled sheets Of music leans huge mandolin. he pendant ends OI q DOW ot ROlueu IipUUu tuo Car and on it is written the title. Two laurel wfeaths rest over all.
 No. 3, 'slhe Origin of song,' is taken from Elizabeth Barrett Erowning's poem called "A Mu- music was first made. Pan was the creator or god of music. Pan playing on his reeds is shown in the tableau.
 No. 4, "Lanalord Fills tho Flowing Bowl.''
 No. 5, ssThe Mis,letoe Bough.''
 No. 6, 'tComing Thro' the Rye.''
 No. 7, .Lisien to the Mocking Bird. This was one of the most striking of the scenes. Gathered around in attitudes of intense listening the various denizens of the woods gaze towards the boughs of tree where rests mocking bird, trilliug with jubilant notes it's exquisite roundelay. grave and reverend owl stands directly in front. h the rear two bnnnies with op- lifted paws gaZe in rapt attention, and q huge snake stands transhxed with delight in graceful spiral attitude.
 No. 8, "A Hunting We Will Co.," an old English song. It dates back probably 400 or 500 yeurs.
 No. g, 'tThe Indian's Danth Song.'
 No. 10, "The Wearin' of the Green. An aged minstrel, with flowing white hair, sits enthroned amidst harps, while two fairies keep time to his melodies. In the front a sturdy looking Irishman, with a formidn ble shillalah, dances with nimble feet to the time of music.
 No. Il, fIhe Spider and the Fty.' very few havo any icea how very ancient this apparently up to date song is. It was written by William and Mary Howett in the first part of this century for the amuse- ment aud edification of their children. A huge black spider is represented in the tableau spinning away with ceaseless ac-