Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1901-02-02
DESCRIPTION Of
THE NhRDI (RAS
AS Held Annually in the
City of New
Orleans.
IDENTITY OF The KING
KEPT PROFOUND SECRET
How POpulace Acts at Time Of Hold
ing of Carnival-Bells Ring
and the People
Shout.

As Honolulu can think and speak Of
nothing but Mardi Gras at present, a
description of the yearly Mardi Gras at
New Orleans will not come amiss
II is a much more elaborate and
longer drawn out affair than the one
Honolulu is so eagerly awaiting. For
two days preceding the ball there are
professions wonderful to behold and
gorgeous beyond description. The
greatest secrecy is preserved as to who
will be King OF the Carnival. He is
chosen by a committee and for days
beforehand, the papers keep the public
advised of his movements as II he were
real royalty. Finally 1t Is announced
that, on a certain, evening the boat con-
tanning the King, and royal suite will
arrive and the city en- masse, focks to
the jetty to witness the landing
In the meantime. the King and his
suite go to a point beyond the landing
place and embark on the boat. which
w llIt punt WHIT
populace is awaiting It,,
The boat is greeted with ould &C.
carnations and. to one who might not
know 1t was farce the scene would
lead him to think that genuine royal
function was taking place. Indeed. so
real is the whole thing. that there are
few in the crowd who do not feel all
the thrill and enthusiasm loyal sub
ject feels on beholding his sovereign.
The King and his suite-all masked
-disembark amid the widest enthu-
siasm and to the ringing of innumer-
able bells, blowing of whistles, music
of the band and the shouts of the as
sembled multitude. The King is
gowned most deliberately. His cos
tune is very elegant and Is used from
year to year. The most intense specu-
lation is rife regarding the identity Of
the King who does not unmask until
the night OF the grand Mardi Gras ball.
The principal event of the day after
the royal arrival is a procession. The
King is conducted to the City Hall.
where the Mayor hands to him the keys
of the city. Then the city Is turned
loose. AS far as royalty is concerned.
this ends the day, but the streets are
full of maskers. who keep the excite
ment fever heat.
Next comes the grand procession.
Everyone in it and out of 1t, is masked.
One who has once witnessed this pro-
cession will never forget it. Thousands
of dollars are spent on the floats, which
are wonderful and beautiful beyond
words. The brilliance Of the whole gor-
geous pageant quite begSars descrip-
ton. Thus endeth the second day.
Last but not least, comes the Grand
Ball. which is the final event of the
Mardi Gras festivities. This ball Is
preceded by a wonderful night parade,
In which elaborate and costly floats and
Enthusiastically and beautifully robed
maskers acquire an added charm. lent
by the Examinations, and the mystery
of night.
The BALL. first and foremost, Is ex-
elusive. and those who are privileged
to attend, accept the honor to the tune
OF from five to ten dollars, which Is the
cost of the ticket Of admission. These
tickets, which the proud owner keeps
as a souvenir, are gotten up in Paris,
and are very beautiful and artistic.
The King comes to the ball still
masked. The utmost secrecy has been
maintained regarding his identity. No
one outside OF the committee who chose
him, knows positively who he is. OF
course, Dame Rumor. has not been idle
and many are the surmises and sDecu-
lations regarding him and. as the hour