Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-08
CARNIVAL AT NICE.
As SEEN AND DESCRIBED n A
RICHMOND MAN.
The Arrival Of His Majesty-His
rrsin-The Battle Of the Fiewers-
Striking Designs-The Durnins Oh
Royalty.


| doubt Il would interest some OF your
many readers to know what constitutes
"A Carnival Of Nice" The preparations
are made on an extensive scale to re-
ceive '.his Majesty" The streets through
which he passes are Illuminated with
gas-jets, representing stars and other or
namental designs. in the red, white, ano
blue colors Of France. calcium hsnts'
flags, and stands of huge dimensions.
This year his Majesty" arrived py
train. and in truly democratic Je1er-
sonian simplicity walked down the beauu-
full Avenue de la Care to his throne In
'Place Masena." His Highness is nothing
more than mechanical figure, thirty feet
high, dressed as Spanish toreador, with
a blue-cotton umbrella under his arm.
Why the umbrella? He walked slowly
and In a dlgnifed manner, bowling right
and left, even winking to the admiring
thousands, who 80 dearly love royalty, al
though he may be stuffed with straw.
He was attended by six banderilleurs,
each IL feet high. and each with a
dart. These acted we'll their part IS
royal couriers. The most self-satisfied-
looking people we have seen In Europe
are those wearing some ones livery. The
king remains on his throne during car
nival week. Every morning he Is visited,
for a short time, by two Of his banderil-
leurs to inquire after his health. After
the carnival he Is to be taken to place
Prefecture" filled with fireworks. and
burned. In republican France, perhaps,
this is symbolical of the end OF royalty.
We have noticed in the great painting.
THE Last Judgment" by Fra Angelica,
that he has placed. several crowned heads
In torment The pious old monk had a
good idea OF the sins Of those born to the
purple.
A HUGE MULE.
His Majesty was preceded by a huge
mule, 20 feet high. swinging head and
tail. and a dropping underlip. and now
and then giving forth those unspellable
sounds, so well-known to exist In every
healthy mule; several floats. one repre-
senting stately old maid, flirting with
the man in the moon, and hundreds in
masks OF the most comical kind, too
numerous to mention. In the evening there
was bal Promenade au Casino"
Two days later this was followed by
"Velocipede Battle Of Flowers" with
sixteen hand-painted banners for the
PiASNS w thc Dtct QcCOAdttQ NutClS.
can only mention a few, as my letter Is
growing too long: All kinds of wheels
from the bicycle to the twelve-wheel
cycle. with seats for fourteen riders,
were in line. This last was dressed as
ship In full sail, with a dear little
boy, not over years old. on wheel In
the masts and working with a vim, as
IL he were furnishing the motive power
for all the ship. One Of the prettiest
was tricycle.. covered with flowers. II
was Roman chariot. drawn by two
bicycles representing a white swan,
with pink ribbons for re!ns, and a hand
some woman driving
Every one here Is learning to ride the
wheel-children and old people of both
sexes-in fact, all that have not been
dead over two weeks are taking les
sons.
On Sunday, 'Dehle de tous les chars"
that offer for the premiums were only
allowed to throw paper confetti, bought
by the pint for cents. This they dash
in the faces Of all. 1t was not objec-
tionable as long as It had to be bought
fresh, but when the ground became COW
cred, and the small boy could get 1t
without price by picking 1t up like sand
on the seashore, two thirds confetti to
one third OF dust, 1t ceased to be plea
sant-so we left.
BY BATTLE OF THE FLOWERS.
Two days later came the event OF the
carnival-"The Battle OF Flowers"
There were many prizes, and also hand
some banners. Every carriage in line
was required to have some floral deco
ration" There were 600 carriages. I will
only mention a few: A buggy occupied
by Mrs. Allen and Miss Oliver was hid
den In flowers. arranged to represent
the American flag. We never saw "Old
Glory look better. Another was a large
brake. earring the American eagle and
British lion, made in flowers, and the
flags OF both countries, with the motto,
Our Brothers" These two were loud
ly applauded all along the line. The
battle lasted two hours. and the troops
fought bravely. We noticed that the
brunt OF battle always fell upon the
young and pretty; those from IS to 25
fought extra hard. The bouquets were
small. and the air was filled with them.
The ladies protected their faces, as much
as possible, with fans. Many of the
ladies were dressed in bright colors. to
match the trimmings Of their carriages.
FOR THE MASSES.
To the battle OF Confetti every one
goes in domino OF more or less preten-
sions. for self-protection. This Confetti
consists Of small balls. OF white earth
and lime, as large as buckshot. The
maskers dash IL In the face OF every
body, and II leaves a white mark upon
anything II touches. This is the Day for
the Masses" Your correspondents cos
tune was about sample OF the tailor
made. bisected skirts. 1t cost francs
complete, mask included. One leg was
orange and the other blue-these being
the carnival colors fixed by law for this
year. There was enough material In each
leg to make a full-dress suit for Baby
Mountcastle and Mr.. Hechler / have
only touched upon the many gayeties.
There are public balls and private en-
tertainments nearly every night. The
carnival extends over two weeks, with
several OF the above functions" re-
peated.
THE LAST BATTLE.
The last Battle of Confetti' took place
to-day with hundreds Of masks-some
representing sun-fowers, others bats.
Holsters. marble busts, wild animals. gas
lamps walking, and many others equally
absurd. All seemed to be merry and to
enjoy themselves as only the French can.
Tomorrow being Ash Wednesday, the
festivities closed this evening with the
burning OF the king" He made a
glorious fire, burning with 80 much vim
that We were forced to believe he had
Struck oil" In his earthly pilgrimage
All nations were represented at the
carnival. Truly this must be the play
ground for the idlers Of Europe and
America
J. CABELL BROCKENBRoUdH.
The Mark-Down.
Detroit Tribune.)
man." she bitterly exclaimed. rs DOM