The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-03-09

resentative yesterday he said 1.-THE
Mardi Gras and La Fiesta are so dissimiiar
| in their character that it is almost impos-
sibe to draw comparison. The form Ell
is an event not for the purpose of adver-
Using the city, but an institution that
has grown in importance and in proper
tions to such an extent that it has gained
a world wide reputation.
''The Fiesta is not spoken of in the
East, but consider that after few years
we can make our carnival sufficiently at
tractive to make it as grand success as
the one in New Orleans.
what struck me most in that place
was the total absence of any attempt to
decorate either the streets or the build
ings. believe that not more than ten
buildings showed any signs of decoration,
and these were club houses and restau-
rants. In that respect we are far ahead
of New Orleans.
Naturally, l am greatly interested in
the success of La Fiesta and appreciate
that we have features in our celebration
that can be seen nowhere else Take for
instance our floral display, on flower day.
and the Chinese pageant, and people
could travel all over the United States and
be unable to find anything in the carnivals
that could compare with them. These
features are distinctively California.
Now will explain briefly the New
Orleans celebration. The Rex celebration
is conducted under the auspices of an or
ganization, that owns a parcel of land, a
brick building, in which the paraphernalia
is stored, the trucks upon which the
floats are built, the floats and the cos
tunes. No public subscriptions are solic-
tied, but the expenses are all borne by
the participants, who pay $40 per year
each, and those who are styled the dukes
pay 500 per year EACH
THE Mardi Gras consists of only two
night parades and one day parade. ere
is a mistaken impression that every body
in New Orleans is en- masque during that
event. On the contrary, only those on
the floats and the attendants are in cos
tune, and the general public simply looks
at the professions like any other parade.
1.-THE costumes are of the most elaborate
character, and of the costiest material
The entire scene, the floats and masque-
raiders present a most magnificent spec
tacle. have been informed on good au-
thority, that the winter floats cost $4,000,
and 102 costumes of the principal partici-
pants are worth over $4,000.
1.-THE masquerade balls, however, are
brilliant affairs. They are given by Mystic
associations, such as the Ebees of Oberon,
Mystic Krewe of Comus, lat the French
Opera House.
"These associations present number of
tableaux on the stage and after these pre-
sensations, some court dances are given
also on the stage. The front rows are
reserved for the ladies, who have been
previously informed that they will be
asked by the gentlemen to participate in
the dances. The gentlemen are masked
and he sends page to the lady he has
invited with card bearing his number
His identity is not disclosed and the lady
pins favor on his costume as mark of
esteem. Such a feature could be intro
duced here at the masquerade ball and it
would add increased interest.
1T seems strange, but although these
festivities have been conducted for great
many years, yet the names of those who