New-York tribune., 1908-03-01

invited share the throne does not ascend it.
QUEENsHIP HoNORs DIVIDED.
f4cncrs in quc,nship must be divided. One year
pure blood American girl holds the sceptre. and
the next a creole rules the carnival Sometimes
where d grI is not strictly either and is greatly
desired for queen hairs are split 10 make her
meet TIE other of the requirements
Although. strictly speaking, there is only one
Queen of the Carnival each king-and there are
severa-selects his queen in the same manner that
Rex does his. Momus, Comus and Proteus are
no whit behind Rex in the rnagnifcence of their
pageants. balls and tableaus Indeed, these courts
the exclusive social affairs of the carnival 70
which Rex his consort and court have been wont
10 escape they have welcomed their
own subjects and held the maskers' opening dance
Two of these psgeants and balls occur before and
the other Mardi Gras night. Their line of
march is gorgeous, with magnificent electric dec
orations. while entire facades of buildings are
massed with electric flowers and other designs in
bright colors. and the wide interval of Canal street
is arched by threaded stars
ON q warm night in February many balconies
have the appearance of opera boxes, so bright are
they with in bali costumes, their turned
back cloak collars serving frames for necks
scintiilating with jewels.
Those who take the most conspicuous part in
the carnival often see the least Of it. For the
most part. queens see no more of the magnificent
pageants of which they the crowning adorn-
ments than 1eetng glimpse caught from carriage
windows as they are borne with difficulty through
the solid mass Of humanity which blocks the
streets the way to their respective thrones
The. kings get chance TO see all the pageant not
Immediately behind them. for the procession loops
around Canal street TO the French Opera House.
but maids OF horror and those who want to avoid
crush at the baAiE hasten early 10 the scenes of
closing festivities.
Another class which misses the carnival is
posed of the hostesses of large house parties Just
before Mardi Gras day letters begin TO pour in
these telling them that cousins-fron1 whom
they never hear save at such time-TM arrive
visit dear Sophie. after the delivery
OF their letters Similarly pleasing missives come
from acquaintances long forgotten and from people
who had met relatives or friends of Sophie's in
some distant place and had her address given
them in the event of their visiting New Orleans
Guests rapidly overflow bedrooms and parlors, and
never pause 10 wonder who is TO sleep on couchss
made up over bathtubs and cots snuggled into dln
ing rooms and halls after the late ball guests have
come rollcking home. They even insist upon
eoing TO balls on invitations issued for their host
esses. well knowing that discovery Of the Use
Of such cards by them precudes future Invitations
THE SCENE AT IT'S HEIGHT
This nabit OF lending admission caTds-however
reluctantly entered into-brought about strict
scrutiny Of guests on the part Of carnival COM
171itees and persons who had lent their invitations
were entered on a blacklist and debarred-where It
was possible-frcm receiving invitations the follow
ing year. So double punishment vas meted out 70
Iuckless offenders, and that IS why no woman VIII
now LEND her card TO the exclusive Momus, Comus'
Froteus and Atlantean balls nor Will she, II II
can be avoided. pass in . substitute TO REX
ON the streets noisy parties Of brightly dressed
makers show like splashes Of vivid color AMID
the dense Lhrongs OF Hghthearted spectators
Football rGshes through the crowds now and tnen
are occasions for panic. faintins women and pant
ms. policemen; there is jubilant laughter and gay
badinase; a constant shower Of bonbons and
confetti and the clash Of bands Of music that
come and go. Banners wave The city IS a-Tiot
with color by day, ablaze with rainbow lights at
night
Then in the distance, Tosc-coiored clouds heraia
the approaching fambeaus Of the carnival ndrades-
Lights on the line of march are momentariy eN-
tfnauisled. the better reveal the splendoT ot
1f1.- u;ssin- pageant \ multitude Of ciappinG
hands applauds the king. Years are forgotten
er.yyings' Of rival beauties are lost IN admiration
Crowds cheer and the night is animate with hsht
and color and laughter. Amid the quiet, scented
gardens Of Uptown" and Downtown WeaFieo
housewives hedyc sigh OF thankfuineSs that II
Is nov, too late for more unlimited guests to ar
rive and that they spared from Sleeping on
The doormat the roof.