Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-04
JuliuSMcycr'S Sons Biz Dry Goods Store.

leans. She was attended by seven maids
Of honor-Miss Dessornmes, Miss Lallande'
Miss Forstall Miss Pollock, Miss dlheh'
Miss Dymond, and Miss Mangum.
The souvenirs Of this ball were yolu
hunting horns, bows, and arrows. Each
masker must present the lady whom ne
has called out for the dance with SOU
Venr.
on February 18th came the ball OF Ne
reus when the representation was ths
bottom OF the ocean, with It's coral caves
and palaces, hung with pearls ana shet,s.
The queen, Miss Larrousni. wore tne
handsOmest and most costly dress ever
seen in New Orleans, costing SleWp IN
Guiding the jewels that epbroidered her
train and studded the Medici collar OF
gold The dress, OF rich duchess satin.
had a train OF claret velvet emoroinertt
i'm lilies wrought Of pears. with here ana
there q sunburst OF diamonds. The MASK
ers appeared as tritOns sea gods, anu
monsters. The procession was led by mo
giant kralSon "A sea monster 30 iret Iohbs
which was composed OF fifteen men con-
cealed under the scaly skin.
The first week OF the carnival was
closed by the bah OF the Elves OF Oberon,
This brought out loreleis, sylvan deiues.
and an Undine, standing ia the noIl su
of an oak. with an lridesccnt waterman
playing over her. The chosen queen Was
Miss Edith Bucker, with Miss Marie Jou-
bort. Miss Corinne DessoniEnes, and MISS
LYDIA Chaffe as maids of honor.
The second week or the carnival was
ushered in by tho ball Of tho Atian,ians
on February ed. Here the clements were
POLITICALLY represented. with their severai
lnhabiting spirits nymphs syphs, ana
salamanders. Each was portrayed IN
appropriate settings OF subterranean
caves, heecy-ciouded skies, lakes, and
forked flames. The shifting scenes. Hgnt
and colors, made q won4rous panoramic
spectacle, over which MISS Amalie Bsnu
was chosen 10 preside, with Miss Denis
Miss EustIs, and Miss Payne as ner
attendants.
The second carnival week ended on
February 18th with the balls OF Menus
and the Funny Fellows" The priests
OF Menus picturesquely illustrated the
Arabian Nights story OF Prince Ahmed
and the Fairy Banou. Miss Louise Jou-
bert, another dark-eyed creole belle, was
crowned queen OF beauty, and selected
0s her maids OF honor Miss Lebault ana
Miss Payne. The presiding genius CHOSEN
hv the Funny Fellows was Miss cara
Waiter, whose attendants We're the Misses
Mehaifey and Miss McEnany.
The first days OF the third week or tnd
carnival are given UP 10 parades. process
sOns and balls. on Monday the Crew OF
Proteus appeared in a magnificent street
parade and pageant OF tableaux upon
loats. At night the crew gaYo y brann
bah In the Opera House. On TUESDAY
came the cuiminat!on OF the carnlvaa.
Rex. king OF the carnival, with forty
Funny Fellows" and many other socies
ties. paraded the streets IN the morning.
At night camo the gorgeous street pageans
y
Oldest and grandest OF the carnival socle-
ties. terminating IN the largest ball OF tn1
festival, when all the eleven queens chosen
BY the different societies az their pre-
yious balls appeared with their attend
ants and kings.
These carnival balls are important fea>
tufes OF tho New Orleans Mardi dfas.
The ball is always introduced by beautifut
tableaux, then tho maskers In costume
march out-two or three hundred IN
numbcr-and select the queen ana naiHn
OF honor. after which each calls out =
partner from among the fair spectators,
ana a ball begins which lasts until or
O'Clock in the morning.
No young LADY has ever declined tn1
crown and sceptre OF n carnival Queen.
Ii Is regarded as the highest social honor
that can DO accorded 10 a girl IN rsw
Orleans II gives her the right 70 q piase
OF honor at all subsequent balls and festI-
walls. At least one OF the queens OF nc
carnival and several attendants must 20
chosen outside OF the city OF New OF
leens, among the young ladies' of nisn
social position in other states. Aiso =
proportion OF invitations Is reserved Ior
Visitors. TIE cost OF the carnlsal 70 ,n5
city Is estimated at about tzSV.oy pue
much OF this Is returned by the mounts
sDent by the large crowds attracted 10 thS
CITY during the gala occasions