West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1900-04-19
MA ARDl-G RAS.
The Great French Festival and New
Orleans Carnival.
As Witnessed by Member OF The Argus
Stan In The Crescent City, the Last
Week In. February.
NAY rAIRrAY MORGAN.

and hne military parade was given in
honor of his arrival. About 10 o'clock the
people commenced gathering on the princ-
pal streets. All were excited and eager TO
see the King 60 by.
We went down to the river front to wit
ness the Naval parade, and il was quite a
pretty sight. A fine Ocean Liner leads the
procession and the merry Monarch with his
suit are on fnc Revenue Gutter. IL is
handsomely decorated with the Carnival
eolors and iys the flags of all nations. All
the other vessels surround, His Majesties
and follow up the river. Salutes are 6red
from the military barracks and everything
that floats iswhis,ling and trying to make as
much noise as possible. They arrive at the
wharf about noon at the foot of Canal street,
which is the Broadway of New Orleans. 1t
is o'clock in the afternoon before they get
up town so we had plenty of time to get
back there, and perched upon balcony, We
had hne opportunity for viewing this great
show. This parade was mostly military.
Captain Philips and Staff and the Marines
from the Ba,tleship Texas, and several dozen
bands. The soldiers from the barracks who
marched like regulars, the infantry, cavalry
and artillery were all in line, and the State
MALTA aud many military organizations
from all over the State, made up the parade
and il was quite a military and naval es-
cort for His Royal Highness, who brought
up the rear. There he was decked in regal
attire and looked King he bowed ma
jestically and waived his hand all along the
line. He was mounted on magnificent
car drawn by six horses, each horse Is at
tended by an Equerry, who is in mask and
costume. This was all we got to see Of him
that day. That evening we witnessed the
parade of the Krewes of Proteus. Ii was
perfectly splendid. There were twenty
floats. each of them measuring twenty to
forty feet in length and illustrating the sub.
ject "Tales of Childhood" II depicted the
storier which have sstonished, entertained
and interested the children of the civilized
world for two hundred years. Each story
was artistically pictured and the beautiful
tableaux formed one of the most gorgeous
parades that the city has ever seen.
Here is a description of car No. Z, Pro-
teus "rhe triumphal car of the King of
the jolly Krewe was beautiful structure of
clouds, palms and lilies. Huge white and
| gold blossoms, festooned with silver scarfs,
rose to the foot of the throne of Proteus.
In front yell of pearls .draped away a
cluster of water lilies. Upon the golden
throne sat the King in robes of the fairy
| prince. His doublei vas white and gold
silk, his mantle of ermine, his breast covered
with jewels. Here gracefully dipping his
scepter in acknowledgement, he received
the ovation of the multitude. Beautiful
palms formed panoply over the royal per-
sonage, each of these made with wonderful
colors and its center mass of jewels"
Next came the Title car, then the Sub
jects, "'rhe Little Mermaids, " ''Oid King
Cole.' "Jack and the Bean Stalk, " ''Three
Wise Men Of Gotham" 'eThe Fair one
With Golden Locks ''The Golden Bird, i"
'The Bene6cent Frog" 'The Merry
Tailor" "The Blue Bird 'The Frog
Prince" "Babiole," sThe Marsh Kings
Daughter" "The Yellow Dwarf" "Gra-
ciosa and Percinet," "rhe Ram" ''Alice in
Wonderland" ''The White Car and
'Fairy Tell True"
The Floats we're lighted by torch bearers
aud dozen fine bands accompanied each
pageant. All the street cars in the city stop
running while the parade is going on. The
Floats are mounted on wheels that Just ht
the street railway tracks and professions
keep on the main lines. They stop in front
of all the important buildings and the per-
formers in the tableaux throw fancy paper
ribbon stresmers at the crowd, candy kisses
and small articles Of different kinds at the
children and young ladies' among the spec.
tators along the way. Each aoat was drawn
by from four to six horses magniheently
caParisoued with all the trappings of royalty.
The members of the societies are so we'll
disguised with masks, wigs and fancy cos.
tunes Of every description, that their own
mothers would never recognize them. The
great mystery that surrounds 1t all is the
charming part for the inhabitants Of the
city. If they knew everyone in the parades
Il would not be half so interesting. Mardi-
Cras, "Shrove Tuesday" the las, day Of
the Carnival, Rex, the Hilarious High
Priest Of mirth and Prince of Pleasure. pa
rades the city with pomp and splendor, that
would turn ''Emperos Bill" green with envy
II he could only see this gay American
Monarch. Fun, mirih, music and madness
rule supreme on this great day. II is a
public holiday and all stores and places Of
business are closed, everyone taking part or
reviewing the street pageanis. BY 10 O'Clock
the streets we're lined and every balcony was
crowded with eager, animated, excited peo.
pie, waiting to see the King 20 by.
II was said that never before in the history
Of the Carnival has there been such large
and enthusiastic gatherings. They claimed
TO have 10000 visitors in New Orleans this
year, city Of only 100000 population.
This was because il was 50 cold and stormy
there las, year that the pafades we're almost
failures and the attendance was small. As
It showed all day, Rex got rather cool re-.
cepiion from the elements, Al least. Rex,
King Of the Carnival, headed the procession
Of the parade Of his Society. This was the
most magnificent parade Of the Carnival,
but taking place IN the day time il was not
as effective as the paradcs Of Proteus's and
Comus's, which were At night. The Merry
Rex looked King. indeed. lie was at
tired in yellow satin costume, a crimson
velvet cloak. trimmed 10 gold lace and
adofned With silver stars. epcrusfed with
jewels. A magnificent jewclcd crown and