The Portland daily press., 1899-02-27
in NICE
A westbrook Man Tells Of the Great
Carnival

OF any OF the fnir cities Of the Riviera.
IL has an ideal location. II Is on a level
strip Of land at the foot of the lesser
Alps and on both sides Of the river Pal
| Ion, where II enters the Mediterranean
SEA. The high hills at the north of II.
whi ch extend out into told promontories.
both east and west. protect 1t from the
cold winds. IL faces the south and the
blue waters of the sen. It cuts no great
figure in history, but was a quiet village
devoted to fishing and the manufacture
OF olive oil, which latter has grown to be
a large industry. until .he seeker for
health in "a mild climate and beautiful
surroundings found IL here. Now 1t Is
beautiful city OF fine hotels and winter
residences. The buildings are of stone,
the larger part of them covered with
stat or plaster which is colcred to suit
the taste. The prevailing color Is light
yellow or cream. Its streets, built
of limestone of this region. by mscade-
mizing, are marvels of hardness. smooth.
ness and cleanliness. 1t Is n paradise for
cyclists, and hundreds Of them and as
many motor carriages are seen on Its
|
ropean winter resort and tine resident
population, numbering some $1,000. is
increased during the first three months
Of the year by about 5O 600 strangers.
Many beautiful villas are situated on
the hillsides amid the semi i-tropical
growth OF palm, orange and olive trees.
The good roads OF the city extend for
| mil hn
rides In this vicinity, embracing as they
do such magnificent views of sea shore.
are delightful
1hs Inhabitants of Nice arc mer-
curial, fun loving, peaceful people, and
many years age, at the mid winter season,
established the carnival, which begins
near The first of February and extends
its festivities into the early spring. Since
the coming n such numbers of the win
ter visitors, the carnival was grown won
derfully in its splendor and picturesq ues.
ness and is now the leading fete of ku-
rope OF its kind. The reign Of ellis Ma
jesty King Carnival" FOR the year 1882
began on Friday night, the 3d of Febru
AIRY. The Avenue de la Gar and the
square Massena were lined with glass
globes OF many cOlors and as the gas
was lighted at night scene Of great
brilliancy was presented. Overhead
were hung various oolored japanese
lanterns. When ;he marching OF the pr1.
cession began the street was blaze Of
| light AS far as ona could sse. Crowds
| thronged the streets and each balcony
| and window along .he way was filled
with people. 10 enhance the briliiancy
the escort of King Carnival was armed
with blazing torches and as the process.
sion came into sight in the distance
1t was bill owy mass Of light. The
Temple of the King had been erected In
the square Aassena. 1t was. s.builtlin the
shape of Moorish temple and was gaudi-
| ly painted On this evening its central
dome and thanking minarets were brilliant
with many-hued electric lamps. The Car
nival King and his cohorts made a
grotesque and beautiful assemblage as
they moved down the Avenue de la
Care.
The Alpine Chasseurs band. a company
of Moorish horsemen, an immense float
4
a beautifully dressed figure of woman
some Mexican bandits on horseback,
| dragons vomiting tire the immense figure
of the -iohly dressed king, with crown
and sword and sceptre, astride rich y
comparisonsd aud gigantic horst, with
the hundreds Of torch bearing guards,
made a scene Of unusual beauty and bril-.
/
in which were many maskers
were showerng each other with bright
colored paper confetti and making the
evening lively with gayety. The king
was esoortsd to his temple in the square
where he will reign during the carnival.
On the Sunday afternoon and evening
following, the Friday night festivities
were repeated on a larger scale.
| Next Sunday, the l3th, the carnival will
reach Its height in the battle of u sort
of plaster confetti that takes place then.
There will follow battle of flowers aud
other amusements. Although the city
seems to give itself up to merriment at
this time we were told that no indi-
vidual has ever been arrested during the
| carnival Iur lUtOAlCht.OH OF IlOluus tOH %
duct.
The carnival Is supported and managed
by the municipal authorities. They offer
each year prizes for the best display
The city Is aided. however. in its financial
support by the directors of the gambling
halls at Monte Carlo, which is but few
miles away. 1t is understood that these
directors pay about half the bills.
The finest promenade in Nice is the
Rue des Anglais, ane street, S5 feet In
width extending along tho water front
for some two miles and on pleasant days
1t is alive with gay equipages, motor
carriages and bicycles while the broad
sidewalks are thronGed with moving
multitude. The city has more dogs with
in its borders possibly than any other city
of its size anywhere. There are pointers
and noodles Pomeranians and pugs,