The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-22

king on his float, and all the kings
court. On through the city they march,
while cheers ring out on every side, and
handkherchiefs futter from the gale
ries. Beautiful women lean far out to
fling roses, camelias and orange bios
SONS to the masked men In the process
sion, while they in turn bow and wave
kisses up to tie sparkling eyes ana smil-
ing lips above them. The procession
makes a brief pause at the city hall,
while the mayor after a short speech,
delivers up the keys of the city to Rex.
After this they toss off a glass of cham
payne and the parade moves on. At
night the parades are gorgeous. . If pos
sible the streets are more crowded than
In the day. Trolley cars are blocked
far up the streets. Carriages filled with
men and women in evening dress stand
in long file along the curbing, wait
ing to view the parade as 1t passes before
they proceed to the balls.
The Dazzling Light.
Family In the distance the sky seems
tinged with a rosy light steadily flashing
brighter. The sound Of drums grows
nearer and nearer. The dazzling crimson
lights of the torch-bearers come blazing
into view, Illuminating each magnificent
float. The latest marches ring out on
the clear night air. Each float represents
part of a neurological tale. The men
upon the floats are masked and dressed
to represent the characters in the story.
There are fairies, nyr1phs, mermaids,
knights, courtiers, etc, as the story
goes. No expense nor pains have been
spared to make the costumes. The i'm
mense floats are dazzling with snglass,
tinsel and the sheen of satin and gold.
The maskers are dancing and bowling to
the right and left On the largest float
of all sits the king. After paradng the
principal streets the procession moves
down Royal street on the French side
to the spacious old French opera House,
where all the carnival balls, with the
exception Of the Rex ball, are given
The men who make up these mystic or
ganizations are the. creme de la creme"
of Louisiana. AID no man can gain
admittanoe to these clubs without the
most scrupulous credentials. Blood. and
aristocratic blood, plays a prominent
part. but even this does not hold good IL
the man himself is not all he should be.
Consequently a young woman feels hon
ored to receive a note signed with the
fictitious name of masker Of. one of
those clubs requesting dance with her
at their mystic ball %-8 ss
One wants no brighter picture en-
craven upon the memory than the in
terror of that historic old French Opera
House on those carnival nights. The
maskers upon the stage in their glitter
ing costumes, the king leading his
queen to her place beside him upon the
throne, the beautiful NEUROLOGICAL tab
LUX which precede the dances tier
after tier. box after box of beautiful
women, the glitter of diamonds and the
simmer of satin, the exquisite array in
point lace, pearl and chiffon, the brill
liant repartee tender glances and soft
words. a mingling of chivary and
beauty. How many times the words.
"vous etes charmant,' ''Je vous adorer'
are spoken, one will never know. And
thus it is that time. drifts on in that
southern city OF warm. flowers and sun
shine. Each one in this life is destined
to receive his sorrows, and here, in this
gay town, are hundreds who are hugging
their woes, bitterness and povery; as
others do, and have done, throughout
Gods great world. But the majority In
this city do enjoy life to Its fullest ex-
tent. and assist in making the world
gayer and brighter by their very exist
ence. The stranger who visits New Or
leans will find that it Is city mot to be
explored in a single day, nay. not in
many, many days; for each succeeding
visit will reveal to him new interests,
new sights and new pleasures.