The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-02-18
Gladstone Times at Both
The Mardi GraS CarniUaLS

The past week marked the close of
ono of the gayest carnival seasons of
quaint, picturesque, pleasure loving
New Orleans. Never has the Gulf
coast proved such a sprnglike shore
as during the 1928 Mardi Gras fes-
tivities. Warm, balmy weather, with
gorgeous sunshine and spring violets
and roses made the Northern visitors
sigh with envy. Biloxi. Pass Chris
tian, Gulfport and other popular re-
sorts We're filled with interesting
people who reveled in the jonquils,
azaleas, camelias and other spring
flowers which run riot along the
beach drives and in the lawns of
stately homes of New orleans and
Mobile.
This was the most interesting car
nival season since the war. as may
be judged by the general exodus of
Birmingham folk last week. Miss
Virginia Hassinger, Mrs. II. H. X.
jefferson, Mrs. Hubert Scruggs, Mrs.
George Morrow, Mrs. Pat Oliver and
Miss Betty Gilmore and her father
were among the visitors at the New
gOrleans festivities, while numbers of
~people of this city were frolicking
at the gay affairs in Mobile.
Up the River to Meet Rex
The memory of carnival will live
long in the hearts of the thousands
Lf people who travelled in the wake
of merrie Mithras, or followed
"Momus' and his Krewe through
winding maze of streets at night.
Merrymakers' torches dimmed the
stars that twinkled half-hearteday
above. Citizens steamed up the river,
a regular flotilla. to welcome Rex,
King OF the Carnival, as he came
sailing down the Mississippi, his
royal barge a blaze of glory. Long
live King Rex! And the memory CT
HIM
RcveIcrs Open Season
In this city of mirth the social
season springs into sudden flame
shortly after Christmas. it's begin
ming being marked by the Twelfth
Night ball. which takes place during
the first of January On this night,
the Twelfth Night players sally
forth ON a regular orgy of reveliRg
and the fun is on.
Following close on this first ball
come the dances of 'sNereus,' "The
Krewe Of Nippon, Osiris and
"Oberon."
The Mithras ball was given Tues
day night, and the merry monarch
led his subjects through The Realms
of Copper, Silver and Gold" in
series of tableaux, which told the
thrilling story of three sons sent
in search of a fortune and bride,
and the final triumph of the young
est son, who found in the Realm OF
Geld a bride who was very, very
fair. Following these lovely pictures
which told such graphic story,
came the choosing of the queen and
hes court. After this came the grand
march and revelry of masks and
mummers.
The lovely ball OF oberon was the
next to follow being given at the
Athaneum. 1t was revival of
the brilliancy of pre-war days, with
its care free "at home" and its mid
summer nights dream scenery. The
ballroom was dense forest with
Pickering fireflies and gorgeous but
TEXTILES shimmering through a maze
of smilax. moss and palmettos. Fol-
lowing the showing of scenes of well
known Shakespearean plays, the
court was chosen. The throne, hidden
in a mass Of greenery, was revealed
in sudden flood of light, and the
court of last year appeared to greet
the queen and her maids. Then the
grand march came on. The last fea-
ture of this ball was the formation
of the makers into a mammoth but
terfly, the emblem of Obreon.
The ball of Athenians Monday eve
ming at the Athaneum enacted The
Romance of Spring" The dance room
was a veritable fairyland of roses
and spring flowers, intertwined
around the columns. making of each
budding tree of American Beauty
and russell roses, with spring flow
ers. Electric lights like stars twink
led overhead through lattice of
green vines. The leaders of the ball,
CARRIED as the Moon and the Rain
bow" claimed the queen and her at
PENDANTS from the "call-outs" and
hundreds of Athenian subjects paid
homage to their sovereigns.
THE Legend of Wurra- Wurra," an
old Irish tale. was presented in
tableaux form by the Athenians on
Tuesday evening. The ball room was
festooned in shamrocks.
The first parade, that of "Momus,"
took place Tuesday evening, lighted
by the flames of many torches. This
ended with brilliant "Momus" bali
at the Athaneum.
Enter Rex
Monday is always big day of
the carnival, for that day Rex floats
down the Mississippi in his royal