The Republican journal., 1903-03-12
CRESCENT CITY CARNIVAL
Festivities in New Orleans Before Lent.
Ball of the Elves Of Oberon. Miss
Roosevelt at the Atlantean's Ball. The
Mardi Gras Procession. Prohibition and
Local Option in the South.

Roosevelt at the AIlantednS Ball. 1 nc
Mardi Gras Procession. Prohibition and
Local Option in the South.
Correspondence of The Journal
NEW ORLEANS, La, February, 1908.
The Carnival season, which has extend
ed over several weeks, ended in blaze
of glory on Mardi Gras. The pageants
and balls which close the season, and
those which occur frequently during its
continuance, are world-noted for their
lavishness and brilliancy. Nowhere else
are they exceeded or equalled. The
amount of money expended in them is
enormous; this is certain, yet no esti-
mate of the cost is allowed to reach the
public eye or ear. l have been told
here that an assessment is made of
500 from each member of the mystic
organizations participating, to defray
expenses. This may not be true; GER
tain it is that such an offering would
be likely to keep some of the members
ION their uppers' the remainder of the
wear. The Carnival balls, of which
there are dozen or SO, occur in Janu-
AIRY and February, and are closed by
the Grand Ball of Rex, on Mardi Gras
evening. The day following is Ash
Wednesday. anG is celebrated as a
church fast, being the first day of the
forty days of Lent. The jollity stops;
all society takes on sack-cloth and
ashes. As to the balls, they are all
similar in nature, though not in extent
and beauty of details, and are a spec
tace, in color and effect, as brilliant as
the imagination can conceive.
| received invitations to several Of
these functions and attended that of
the Elves of Oberon, in a pre-
invitations are given Out,-some two
weeks in advance of the event, to
friends of the members, distinguished
visitors and to such chance tourists as
can secure the courtesy. The cards of
invitation are six inches by four, beau
tiff ~ engraved and with smaller adj
mission cards. At eight O'Clock of the
evening indicated carriages were de-
posting their precious burdens at the
doors of the French Opera House.
Here most of these events occur. 1t is
grand theatre. used solely for Win
ter season of French opera, and these
Carnival balls; all the rest of the year
its doors are closed. Evening dress and
white gloves prevailed without excep-
ton. among the men, and full even
ing dress that is, less dress above and
more on the floor, as to ladies, except
in .he case of elderly ladies. There
We're handsome, daintily, elegantly
dressed young women by the score.
Between one and two hundred special
" selected damsels, having reserved
parQuet seats, were honored by being
'caaed out to take part in the open
ing dance Of the maskers. 1t is need
less to say that these ladies were not
among the plaineSt of the lot. The
New Orleans beauties were reinforced
by a contingent of visiting ladies from
New York, Washington, Louisville and
other northern cities. All the private
boxes. stalls and balconies were crowd
ed with humanity in its party dress.
Several of the boxes were occupied by
Admiral Rivet, of the French cruiser
Tace. and the officers of his ship, with
aides The Admiral has gained many
friends in New Orleans by his cordial
ity 10 all and his Difference and polite
ness TO the ladies he has met here. But
that is a French virtue not confined to
this ship.
Tie curtain goes up on scene of
magnificent spiendor The throne-room
Of Oberon glows as if thousand stars
were reflected in a still lake. Thanked
by Two white stairWayS, cleaning with
lieht and color, the throne was a mar
vel Of regal splendor. On it sat Oberon
ard his graceful queen, Miss Elsie
n'Connor one of the bellies of the city.
Oberon this season represented the
conquest of Folly over Father Time.
1t was turning of the tables. For
once Folly. which, as the days go by,
loses its charm and merriment, con-
luered the tyrant which dulls the light
in bright, mischievous eyes, takes the
bloom from the cheek of youth and
makes even the noble, fiery warrior a
shaking, querulous old man. Father
Time was fettered and made to wear a
fools cap. His sun-dial was broken
and the hands of his clock turned the
wrong way. The story was told IL
three beautiful scenes and pantomlme
with colored-light effects, making the
stage seem paradise of beauty. Last
Of all was the grand throne scene, wit!
Oberon sitting aloft in power and glory
his crown shining like the evening sta
and his lords and courtiers as brilliant
as those who ranged themselves about
the golden throne of solomon. Benz
and Inundated, old Father Time wa:
led in by the Elves and brought before
tie judgment-seat of Oberon. Oberol
cauora b,1t ba really did NOT i'm