davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The herald., 1897-04-25

eastern visitors from whom constantly
increasing inquiries kept pouring in with
regard to the cost and productiveness Of
land in various fruit sections that it was
determined that La Fiesta of 1896 should
be carried out on an extended scale.
Again Mr.. Max Meyberg was appointed
director-general. and again most graft
flying success crowned the efforts of all
concerned The celebration lasted from
April 18th to goth, and some striking in
novations were introduced in the pa
rades. Mrs. Modini-Wood filled the role
of queen of the revels with gracious dig
nifty and the ceremonial Of the court
was quantity attractive.
The total receipts amounted to $S1, ,737.-
81. and of this amount s12, ,696 46 was paid
out directly for labor with from $4,000 to
$4,000 more paid out also for labor in an
indirect way. The receipts, however
did not meet the expenditures, there be-
ing deficit of about $25Oo.
In 1896 still further advance was made
In making La Fiesta distinctive of the
southern soil. The following executive
committee had control of all the prepara-
tions and arrangements: ]. f. Francis,
PRESIDENT R. w. Pridham. first vice.
president; F. K. Rule. second vice-pres-
ident; c. s. Walton, third vicepresident;
H. Jevne. treasurer, and C. d. Willard.
secretary. This committee was REIN
forced by a committee of thirty made
up of ten representatives from the three
business organizations Of the city-the
chamber of commerce. Merchants and
Manufacturer association and board
of trade.
The day parade was a splendid exem-
pliflcation of the resources of the state,
all of the outlying towns being repre-
sented by floats and the Chinese board
of trade making a display wherein su :
perhly embroidered flags and banners,
rich and grotesQue costumes and odi
combinations of color made most strik-
ing picture. The evening parade was a
moving panorama illustrative Of the
Lands of the Sum-" Concerts, masquer-
ades, pyrotechnic displays and a grand
carnival night lent attractiveness to La
Fiesta week. and over all this merriment
Mrs. Mildred Howell Lewis. as queen
of La Fiesta, ruled with gentle dignity.
Occupying a high social position, she
possesses distinctive beauty. The daugh-
ter Of R. H. Howell, she was born at
Shreveport La, and came to Los An
/ geles after graduating from Miss Bald
wins school in Virginia, and was mar
ried In this city to Mark B. Lewis, as
sistant cashier of the State Loan and
Trust company.
While La Fiesta of 1896 was the most
successful of any held the expense was
less, and this very orsditable showing
was altogether owing to the clsse SUPER
vision maintained Of the multitudinous
details by Secretary Willard, and also, In
some measure to the experience gained
| In previous years. The total receipts
amounted to $22.70 out Of which the
deficit Of the previous year was made
good
The herald., 1897-04-25
THECITY TRANSFORMED
VISIONS OF BEAUTY MID CLEAN
ING OF LIGHTS
Business Men and the City Generally
Making a Fine Display of
La Fiesta Colors
(From Tuesdays Herald.)

VI AOAi dCSudy 1lcidiu.J
The City of the Angels has donned her
holiday attire. and she looks all the bet
ter for it. True she has been rather tardy
this year. and there remains much to be
done today before the final touch is CIV
en- to the decorations that have trans
formed her stately beauty to one roseate
with gorgeous color.
But to every stranger within the gates
and there will be 10000 or 80 900 of them
the principal streets will present a
fairy-like scene tonight and from thence
on during the week. La Fiesta tri-color
the flaming red and green and gold
arranged in a myriad of fanciful designs
meets the eye at every turn. At First,
Second and Third streets, on Spring; at
Third on Broadway, and at the junction
Of Spring and Main, at Meyberg's and
the Van Nuys hotel, four limbed electric
arches punctuate these avenues with
splendid masses of variegated color.
Chinese flags Of the tri-color, fringed
with gold. arch the lengths of Spring
street and Broadway. while on Main
street the COlOTS are treated IN canopy
effects. the trolley lines being utilized
for the purpose. The side streets from
First to Seventh between Broadway and
Main, are hung with United States bunt-
ing in long, brilliant lines, and the tro,-
ley wires on all the principal avenues
are lined with thousands of twinkling
electric lights.
The telegraph poles have had their
bare outlines hidden beneath a wealth
of foliage and for the entire length Of
Broadway and Spring and Main streets
the sidewalks are lined with the tri-color
bunting suspended on wires in the shape
of v. Looking down Spring street a
vision Of superlative and fantastic beau-
ty Is presented to the eye.
But these are only the general decora-
tions Of the Fiesta committee, and their
efforts have been well supported by the
business men on the several thorough
fares. The frontages of most of the
buildings have been decorated. and aid
most effectively In lighting up the city
with blaze Of gorgeous cclering.
SOME DETAILED DECORATIONS
The courthouse wears such q bright
appearance as to belle the somber busi-
ness carried on inside. The archways
The herald., 1897-04-25

with a golden knife cut the mistletoe
from its parent oak, while the white
rcbed attendant priests caught the sa-
cred plant as 1t fell.
In this connection 1t may not be amiss
to mention the fact that despite the
declarations of historians who are never
tired of declaring that Druidism disap-
peared from England many centuries
ago. this is scarcely correct. The last
representative Of the old Druidical order
is the Duke of Buccleuch, and either In
person or by appointed deputy each year
he officiates in a curious old ceremony
which has been preserved since long
before the days when the Norman butch
er led his following over the English
void. 1t consists of the payment of what
is called "wroth money" the principal
householders of the parish in which he
is lord of the manor being compelled to
pay him small sum In silver coins every
November. The money is thrown into
a hollow cross of Saxon design and col
lected afterward by the bailiff Of the
estate. An amusing feature of this old
time ceremony Is that any parshioner
failing to make the payment is liabls
to forfeit Of twenty times the amount
or is compelled 10 procure Wnite Dull
with a pink nose as a substitute. This
old custom is witnessed each year by a
number of spectators, drawn less, per-
haps, by the curious ceremony than by
the excellent entertainment given by
the Duke of Buccleuch to mark the
event.
While the carnival never. perhaps
gained foothold in England in the
sense of being observed. as by the Latins,
1t is, nevertheless, linked with many Of
the observances which are even yet
maintained. The Roman carnival orig
inally began on the feast of Epiphany
and continued to what has been known
in England as Shrove Tuesday, the fol-
lowing day-Ash Wednesday-ushering
In the austerities of the Lenten season
But later the carnival was limited 10
The herald., 1897-04-25
UNDER THE STARS
WHEN LIBERTY HAS REACHED
FULFILLMENT
Curiously Persistent Survival Of the
Seasonal Character of Certain
Celebrations

"The old order changeth, yielding place to
And God fulfills himself In many ways.
Lest one good custom should corrupt the
TENNYsoN-MoRTE D'ARTHUR.
"And, because right is right. to follow
right q,
Were wisdom in the scorn Of conseSIsHeee."
Alexander the Great. rejecting or his
friends degeneratirg into sloth and lux
ury, told them that 1t was most slavish
thing to luxur.ate and most royal thlng
to labor."-Barrow.
When the Puritans fret set foot on
Plymouth Rock, self-expatriated from
their country for conscience sake, they
brought to the new world many OF the
customs of the motherland. True,
amusement of any kind was rare and
the spiritual refreshment of prayer must
have been the only periodic time of re-
taxation from labor. The Sabbath be-
gan at 6 o'clock on Saturday evening and
lasted until sunset on Sunday. Being
absent from church meant a visit from
the tithing man and, lacking sufficient
defense. a fine, locking in the stocks,
placed on exhibition In a wooden cage as
a frightful example, or a whipping az
the post-the Puritan's May-pcle. AS
might be supposed such state of things
did not last very long. Human nature Ia
not of such a character as to permit such
severity of life, and very soon. even In
New England, various forms Of amuse-
ment became the vogue.
Fer a long time, however, public
amusements we're eschewed, and an at
tendant at q theater continued to be re-
garaed In very truth as "a man Of Be
lial." Hawthorne's description Of the
Maypols Of Merry Mount accurately de-
scribes, however, how the hereditary
pastimes Of old England were trans
planted to the new soil and took good
root albeit in the particular instance
cited solipsed for a time by the severity
Of the more austere faction.
The king of Christmas was duly
crowned. and the lord Of misrule held
sway. On the eve Of st. John-time Of
vast import to loverS-acres Of the forest
were felled to make bonfres. around
which danced tho youth Of both sexes.
crowned with garlands. throwing now-
ers into the flames. At harvest time.
though the crsp might be small. an
image weuld be made with the sheaves
Of Indian oern. and wrsathsd with aow-
ers would be borne homo triunphantly.
But what ohisAy ohaFAetsFissd the
colonists was thsir veAsFatisn for the
The herald., 1897-04-25
in "MERRIE" ENGLAND
JOYOUS UsAGEs OF TODAY SUR
vIVALs OF THE PAST
The Quaint Habit of "Clacking'
Still Kept Up and Pancake Tues
day the Delight of Children

Man for the field and women for the
hearth
Man for the sword and for the needle she:
Man with the head and women with the
heart;
Man to command and women to obey;
TENNYsoN-THEP PRINCESS.
''In the constitution know. and exulting-
ly feel both that am free and that 1 am
not free dangerously to myself or to
others
from the Americans by greater independ-
ence Of personal habits. ~. Fennimore
Cooper.
During the medieval age the fire.
quency and magnificence of the festivals
were most notable, but in France and
England the celebration of carnival was
modified and to large extent gave
place to the miscellaneous frolics of the
populace. Indeed. the carnival, as a
distinct festival, has never been en-
grated upon the Anglo-Saxon stock.
In France. however. the jousts and
tournaments of the chivalrous age form
ed magnificent spectacles, and knight
ly deeds OF valor were made famous by
the troubadours and "jongleurs." In Eng
land, after the Norman conquest, the
character Of the Englishman was modi-
fied and the class of ideas, for want of
better names, termed the feudal or chiv-
alrous, was introduced. In Sir Walter
6cott's 'Ivanhoe" is given a most true
and realistic account of the tournament.
But while this was. In some respects, the
romantic age, romance is oftener than
not a mere synonym for pain and wrong,
and In England chivalry was never re-
ally dominant. Teutonic notions of right
and common sense were never wholly
driven out. While 1t was harder in some
ages than others for a man to rise by
sheer force Of Individual merit, arart
from accident Of birth favoring him,
there was no age in England when It was
impossible
ORIGIN OF ENGLISH FEAsTs
When the Anglo Saxons first settled
in Britain they dedicated each day of
the week to a particular deity, and
these names are still retained. Sun-daeg
Sunday and Moon-daeg (Monday)
were set apart for the worship of the
great lights Of the heavens; Tuiscaes-
daeg (Tuesday); Wadens-daeg (Wed-
nesday), Thores-daeg (Thursday) and
Frsyaes-daeg (Friday) were sacred to
Tuisca, Wooden, Thor and Freya; while
Eaturnes-daeg Saturday was devoted
to the service Of Saturn. god imported
from the Roman mythology.
The religion Of the Celts had been
Druidism, and their chief sanctuary the
Isle Of Anglesea. Their three chief feasts
had reference to the harvest; one was
held after the seed was sown, another
when the crop was ripening, and a third
when the crop was gathered In. The
most solemn ceremony. however, took
place on the 9Th day Of the moon near
est to the 10th Of March, which was their
new years day. Then the Archdruid
The herald., 1897-04-25

| urated throughout the United States
which are termed carnivals for the mere
reason that they have been conceived
and carried out in the spirit of abandon
that has ever distinguished the annual
time of masquerade and buffoonery in
| the old world
| 1t has been shown how in Greece the
| festivals, founded on religious observ-
ance. served to foster all that the nation
valued in building up robust and cul-
tured manhood. The Roman festivals,
speedily degenerating from thie ideal.
[ served to turn the thoughts of the people
from affairs of state and latterly. when
the spirit of utilitarianism became RAM
pant the festivals were valued as an in
centive to trade, to attract visitors from
afar and to replenish the treasury. The
Venetian republic, in like manner, made
merry aS business, and with an eye to
, the money that could be extorted from
I the myriads of visitors that flocked to
the Queen of the Adriatic." And for this
purpose, too, has the carnival been es-
tablished in the several cities of the
United States.
SOME AMERICAN CELEBRATIONS
| OF all the celebrations in this country
the Mardi Gras of New Orleans is the
best known, for the reason that it was
| the earliest established While 1t has
been the means of attracting wide atten-
tion to the historical city Of the south,
it is simply copy in general plan of 4
similar celebration held in Paris, when,
under the regime Of Louis PHILIPPE 1t
attained its greatest splendor. It Is
said that the American Mardi Gras was
conceived In 1927, when q number of
Creole gentlemen who had just returned
from Paris, after finishing their educa-
. tion, organized the hrst grand procession
| Of masqueraders in New Orleans. A
more brilliant and numerically stronger
parade took place In 1887, and one still
more striking in effect two years later
From 1S4S-45 other displays were made
with the good taste and liberal expend-
iture OF money that have made the later
displays of the "Mistick Krewe," 1.-THE
Twelfth Night Revelers," and 1.-THE
knights Of Momus" memorable gala
nights In the history Of the southern
city.
At Mobile was inaugurated the plan
Of presenting scenes on floats. the Cow
bellisns of that city having had such
a parade as early at 1881. The same
idea was adopted at New Orleans in
1867. Each year the Mystic Nymphs''
hold sway at Mobile.
At Louisville festival called the
Satellites Of Mercury" is held; ST. Louis
has its yelled Prophets;" Memphis
has the Mystic knights and Kansas
City holds celebration in the first week
in October. when the Priest of Pallas"
| hA~ ~ !
/ latter festival was organized In 1887.
At st. Paul. Minn. and other cities. also.
festivals are head.
The herald., 1897-04-25
DANISH CARE
Queen Frencisca's First
Proclamation
UNWISD0M AND FOLLY
WILL ENJOY HER AUGUST
PROTECTION
The City Gaily Decked in Festival
Attire--Some of the Most
Notable Features
(From Tuesdays Herald.)

(From Tuesdays Herald.)
To Our Royal Subjects, Greeting!
Be it known that we, the sovereign
Queen-elect of La Fiesta de Los An
geles, most earnestly desire that per-
nicious care-yea, even the wisdom
of sages-be benished utterly from
our realm for the space of many days
following, and we would have it fur
ther known that during our reign,
Joy, unwisdom, and even folly and
the battle of the sweet flowers of our
land shall enjoy our august presence
and protection.
FRANCESCA ALEXANDER,
Queen Of La Fiesta.
Dated at Los Angeles, this 18th
day Of April, 1897, and of our reign
the fourth.
The herald., 1897-04-25

from three to eight days before Ash
Wednesday, when the masquerading
and buffoonery ended.
SOME SHROvE-TIDE CUSTOMS
Shrove Tuesday. called also Fasten
Fen. or Pancake Tuesday, is relic of
the English feast of Epiphany, or Three
Kings day. The Saturday before. known
as Egg Feast. the evolutionary observ-
ance of that of the old Egyptians, among
whom the egg was the emblem of the
universe the work of the Supreme Di-
vinity. The "egg games" too, Of the
Romans, which were instituted by Cas-
tor and Pollux, were celebrated at
Easter In the egg-shaped arena, and the
victor received eggs as his prizes.
In the north of England one still hears
the rhyme appropriate to Fasten Fen,
or Collop Monday, when eggs and collops
are the invariable diet
est. Taffy is no sooner gone.
But Pancake Day Is coming on.
Now eat your fill drink If you're dry,
Now Lent comes on Immediately.
Now days exceed the nights In length.
And Titans heat improves In strength"
After 4 o'clock all are at liberty to cele-
brate, and the good folks make and eat
pancakes until o'clock The making Of
pancakes suited to the occasion Is de-
scribed in an old book and the ingredi-
ents are:
"a thing cald wheaton flour, egges, spice
and other tragicall. magical entertainments,
and then they put 1t BY little and little, fry
ing into pan Of boiling suet. when It
nj last by the skill OF the cooke 1t Is trans
formed into the forme Of Flapjack. cald
a Pancake. which with omenous incanta-
ton the ignorant people doe devoure very
greedily.
Ash Wednesday. as we'll as the two
preceding days, used to be celebrated
by cock-fghting. The amusement Of
the boys and girls was to go a-clackingi
and this Is still done in remote parts Of
England. They go in parties with little
| "clacks" Of wood in their hands. and fall
to beating the doors and singing:
.'Herrings, white and red,
Ten q penny. Lent's dead
Rise, dame, and give an egg,
Or else a piece of bacon;
One for Peter, two for Paul,
Three for Jack-a-Lent's all,
Away, Lent, away!'
This food is used to make merry with.
On the first coming to door they strike
up loud with their song. and as soon as
the requested gratuity is given they be-
gin the chorus:
Here sits bad wife,
Pray God save her life
Set her upon hod
And drive her to God"
II, on the other hand. they received
nothing after singing their song they
not unfrequently filed the keyhsls Of
the door with dust. and sing this chorus
deaantly:
Here sets q bad wife.
The devil take her life.
Bet her uyon swivel
And send her 70 the dwell"
The Jack-a-Lent alluded to In the
crude rhyme ID puppst made Of straw
which u taken to the village sTsen and
The herald., 1897-04-25
~ Tiesta Rstnblished

La Fiesta d Los Angeies'' had IT.
origin in the spring Of fe44, when num-
The herald., 1897-04-25

from three to eight days before Ash
Wednesday, when the masquerading
and buffoonery ended.
The herald., 1897-04-25

Cutlery at Furreys, se N. Spring 1t.
The herald., 1897-04-25
Here sets q bad wife,
The devil take her life.
Bet her uyon = swivel
And send her 70 the dwell"

The Jack-a-Lent alluded to In the
crude rhyme ID Z puppet made Of straw
which u taken to the village gruen and
The herald., 1897-04-25

"The old order changeth, yielding place to
new,
And God fulfills himself In many ways,
Lest one good custom should corrupt the
world"
TENNYsON-MORTE D'ARTHUR.
"And, because right is right. to follow
The herald., 1897-04-25

W @
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-11-10
Passed Upon English,
Alias Graham, Today.
TWENTY DAYS In JAIL.
A Touching Letter From the Young
Scamp's Father.
HE WAS IN TROUBLE BEFORE.

X. Smith English. alias Harold l..
pleaded guilty to stealing various articles
from students at Brown University. was
again i'm the District Court this morning
charged with the larceny Of a pair Of
opera glasses from the room OF Samuel
W. Smith, a student at Brown. English
pleaded guilty and will pass all extra 20
days IN Jail in consequence.
II is very evident that English has been
n high flyer, and that this Is 10y no
means the first time he has been in
trouble. The following letter from his
father shows that he Is black sheep who
has caused his parents much worriment,
but because OF their love for him they are
willing To make almost any sacrifice for
his sake hoping To redeem him from Lis
wayward course. The letter speaks for
itself. It is not dated and the heading has
evidently been torn on.
My Poor Smith
Your letter OF the 9TH inst. came to
hand last evening. You, mother and /
had n good cry over your contemplated
foolishness and came to the conclusion
that you arc thoroughly depraved and un-
reliable, ana what TO do under the cir
cumstances we do not know we had no
money TO send, nor how To get any we
could not imagine, nor whether to send
any If we had. But after a nights
thought we concluded to try what we
could 40. have been able to procure $50
which 1 have sent by this mail 10 /.
Reeves with instructions TO him TO settle
the matter with the lawyer IL he can, and
have you discharged If he can. Should he
succeed I'm doing so / want you To come
home or else go so far away that we may
never hear fTom YOU again. Our hearts
are crushed with trouble and uneasiness
about you. If we did not love you it
would give us no uneasiness to have you
suffer or be punished in any way, but un-
fortunately we do and our hearts feel as
much sorry for you in your wilful
wrongdoing as though your misfortune
was not the consequences of your own
utter disregard for what was right and
honest.
You do not say what you have done TO
get into such a scrape nor what amount
of money Is necessary To satisfy the de-
inand against you / am altogether in the
dark about your affairs but trust the $50
| send you will release you. Please write
me and let me know what the result is.
Your father
y. III. ENGLISH.
Woodstock, New Brunswick.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-11-10
THE STAR COURSE.
Large Attendance at the Lecture Given
by Robert Harper.

There was a large attendance at In
fantry hall last evening to enjoy the ex
cellent lecture on "Trip to Europe" 10y
Mr. Robert Harper in the star course
There can be no doubt of the popularity
of the Star Course Judging by the interest
taken by residents of this city in last
nights cntertaiDment. Mr.. Harper s
views of places OF note in England.
Scotland and Belgium are remarkably
clear and wise selection has been made
of the places that would have the most
general interest for an audience such as
gathered last evening.
MIR. Harper Il very interesting and
instructive lecturer. He is poetic in his
description of places of natural interest,
sympathetic in touching on the misery of
life in certain parts of London and be can
understand and describe to his audience
the amusing incidents of the trip. Dur
ing the lecture he was frequently APP
plauded and some of his views, partcu-
larry the Water Babies and the Angel
Guardian were received with enthu-
sasm. The views OF London were among
tho most interesting shown, for Mr.. Har-
per is thoroughly In touch with the great
richness ana the great poverty Of the
greatest city OF the world. His ricturcs
of the cathcdrals OF England and Belgium
were remarkably good and even his
description of n voyage across the Atlantic,
now mere or less trite subject. proved
very pleasing to the audlcnce.