The San Francisco call., 1896-05-29
A Gorgeous Palace in Course of
Erection on the Island of
Iona Prieta.
COUNTLESS ILLUMINAr1oNs.
A Mimic Battle of Bunker Hill Will
Be Fought on the San
Lorenzo River.

SANTA CRUZ, CAL, May 28.-Santa
Cruz will undertake to surpass all the car
nivals that have this season been held in
the State. This city does not claim supe-
riority over San Jose or Santa Barbara or
Los Angeles or any other carnival town in
their special style of carnivals, but for
natural and even artificial advantages in
the production of a water carnival this
city does claim to be the mosi happily sit
uated. Beautiful Belvedere might even
be surpassed in that respect, for in the
turning of the shallow waters of the San
Lorenzo River back from escape into the
ocean by an artificial dam there has been
produced fine lake of water with a nat
ural island, the position of which is such
as to be seen from the amphitheater on
the mainland. Beyond to the right is the
open bay, to the left portion of the city,
while in the perspective and far beyond
rises the beautiful mountain with its
pretty name-Loma Pr1eta-and the con-
Meeting hills that form the Santa Cruz
Mountains.
On this island will stand the palace to
be occupied by the Queen of the Venetian
water carnival and her maids of honor.
This structure will have an imposing
frontage of 80 feet and rise to a height of
"a feet An American eagle will perch
upon the topmost point, and beneath his
spread wings and on either side, within
and without the palace, the brilliancy of
800 incandescent electric lamps will shine
in varl-colors, enabling the audience to
discern the fullness of the grandeur that
shall be presented. The finishing of the
building will be done in blue and cream
and gold, while the Queens throne will be
equally attractive in construction and
finish. On the up-rlver side of the palace
will stand three large vases containing
tropical plants. alternated with electrical
fountains, whose colorings will lend an
effective contrast to the general view of
the palace. On the down-river side there
will stand fac-simile in illustrative lights
and colors of Roncovieri's Carnival
March" to be played by that leaaer and
his 100 musicians
The Queens barge Is to be q piece of
art indeed. William Lemos, the de-
signer of all these interesting and beauti-
full structures, has surpassed his own an
ticipations in this attempt to do an
artistic thing. The pink and white color
lngs OF the vessel are enhanced in their
splendid effects by trimmings of gold and
silver. The illumination from the thou
sands OF electric lights along the river
and surrounding the palace will produce
wonderful eff ct as the Queen shall be
carried along the smooth waters to and
from her palace by the galley slaves, who
shall sit at their oars below deck
The battle of Bunker Hill will be the
Introductory feature of the grand events
OF the carnival as the season opens on the
day OF the anniversary of that bit of Revo-
lutionary history that recalls the great
struggle of the first fathers of the Union.
The mimic battle that is to be presented on
the San Lorenzo River on the night of
June II will be very realistic reproduce
tion of the event. for the Continentals and
the Britishers will be represented by men
used 10 arms. The Grand Army of the
Republic will impersonate the land fight
ers, who will stand By their Notifications
bravely enough, but in vain. The British
ers a portion of whom will skirmish in
the neighborhood of the American strong
hold, and the main body of the navy that
awaits at point up the river favorable
opportunity of attack, will be imperson-
| ated by the fourth gun division, Naval
Battalion. N. g. c., of this city. There
will be no red lights and skyrockets in
this battle. 1t will be real gun-and-
powder fight by men well drilled and
armed.
This is only the beginning of the grand
Venetian Water Carnival. The succeed
ing events and the features of them will
be as attractive and interesting as the first.