The New York Herald Newspaper, February 14, 1877, Page 4

“THE KING! Triumphal March of His August Majesty Fun. AT NEW ORLEANS. Mammoth Processions, Glowing Tableaux, Grandeur Usbounded. REX TAKES WATER. Revelling with Goddesses, Greeks and Romans of Renown. VENUS IN ADVANCE. From Athens’ Princely Paiaces to Boston's Pork and Beans, YE LOVES OF COMUS. \Geseenaiileties Nrw On-rans, Feb, 13, 1877. Two great conditions seem necessary to insure the | ixistence aud success ofa carnival, First, a commu- | rity in which the Catholic element predominates, und, second, a semi-tropical climate, The one invests the aoliday with proper significance, while the other 1s adapted to the spirit and character of its proper cel bration, In Europe it has always been observed season of individual emancipation trom social law, in which the spirit of revelry and inischief asserted {ull licenae, 1t remained fur America to touch it with the magic wand of organization, harmonizing all its incon- sruous elements into a school of art at ouce iastruc- live, beautiful and elevating in its intiuence, To our sister city of Mobile belongs iho credit of “organizing,” | nearly half # century ago, the first secret society siwrged with this mission, Although its initial efforts were crude as compared with the magnificent displays of to-day, yet they were born in success, and resulted n founding ao institution which hay since become the ielight and pride of successive gencrattons, its influ. | mee gradually extending throughout the Union and atimately establishing itself permanently in nearly all the great Southern cities, COMDS IN NEW ORLEANS. New Orleans, always celebrated for the artistic cul, tivation of its people, son recognized the inerit of the ew system, and in 1857 organized the “Mystic Krewe ot Comus,”” which appeared op Mardi Gras of thar year in a representation of the characters ef Milton’s aradisc Lost. {ts subsequent bistory and triumphs are too well known to nced other than passing notice herve. Asin Mopile, it gradually became the parent of other associations, all of which Lave sinco made bri!- (ian¢ records, Prominent among these ts “Carnival Court,’ which takes charge of the day display, and which created Ris Majesty ‘Rex’ (the Carnival King), whose flag now floats as | ihe recognized symbol of the realm whenever his votaries congregate together, and whose peculiar out souorous proclamations have almost invested the mstitution with a distinctive diction of its own. | Other associations have also earned enviable reputa- | tious, such as the “Twelfth Night Revellers,” “Knights of Momus’’ and ‘King’s Own.’’ The main characteristic of all these bodies and that to which their success must be mainly utiributed 18 the preser- ration of secrecy. The public is careiully kept in ignorance of their personality. They appear and dis- appear like phantoms, and as each association is self- | supporting, refusing all outside donations, their popularity is, of course, unbounued. ‘Ihe King of the Carnival’s annual displays have hitherto been purely historical in character, very similar in conception to those with which the féle days of nearly every city in France, Germany aud Itaiy are to-day celebrated. THE KING'S FIRST ENTRANCE x five years ago represented one of the Ptolemies with his Egyptian Court; then followed a Magian monarch with hig Persian surroundings, Another time, King Totilia the Goth, with his barbarian cohorts, rode into | the cit as he once rode into Rome its conqueror. The | Jast was the finest display ever witnessed 1m the world, the whole power of the authorities, national, Stato and civil, being enlisted in its success, Since then the | K'ng’s aflairs would seem to haye fallen into less com. | retent hands, and though he appears regularly he docs «o shorn of most of his olden pomp and power. He will, however, recover in time; his government is too thoroughly organized to die out, and, as usual with | other monarchs, one of those healthful changes of Ministry, which are apt to occur during a reign, may revise Lis olden glories and add additional lustre to his | name. Fortunately, no such shadow has ever fallen across | the record ol the Mystic Krewe, which bas gone on from yenr to year, piling triumph upon triumph, each display | eclipsing its predecessor. Having cne great advanta, over the King, inasmuch as its procession takes place at night, it is thus enabled to produce more splendid cfvcts at an infinite less cost. Yet, while not sparing of expense, it very properly invades the higher regions of classic literature, poesy and imagination for fit themes to illustrate, which are invariably elaborated and beautified tom degree in which the brain of the | gavantand the hand of the finished artist are plainly | recognizable, | TUK CROWDS. Fow persons save those experienced can imagine the labor and administrative ability called into play in | Preparing and marshalling one of these displays, every | detail of which mast move with the precision of a | clock, and that through streets rendered almost im- | passuble by crowds of spectators, In addition to the | strangers who overtlow the city on Mardi Gras the en tire population centres in the lew streets over which the necessariiy short route extends, other portions of the city being for the time literally deserted. Every veranda along the line is shored up with seanthng to sustain the throngs of sight-seers who invade them. Tiers of seats are erected in front of houses, extending | from tne curb to the second story. Every window is | | purchase admission effectually deba | ine procession ventured forth. | snowing about one and a half hours for the accom- | piisbment of that task, the Krewe enters the stage door of tho Varicties ‘Theatre, The torchbcarers and grooms are silently marched off in different detach- ments, the platforms are slowly driven away and the vision bas passed forever. In the theatre the clarac- ters subsequeutly appear in appropriate tableaux upon the stage, alter which a grand dross ball =winas up the festivities. At twel o'clock a shrill whistle is hourd, and ip fiiteen migutes all the characters, none of whom are allowed to speak while on duty, vanish from the scene to cither reappear in citizens’ dress or atiend a ghostly banquet, which generally cuds the proceedings with the dawn of Ash Wednesday and tho Lenten season, PLANNING A YEAR ARKAD, es Immediately thereaiter preparations are inaugurated for the succeeding year, Meetings are held at which the merits of now designs are discussed, s¢v- eral are put in the hands of tho artists regularly cm- ployed for the purpose, who produce them roughly in water colors, Finally one 18 selected, and by May the artists have completed a carefully executed painting of each figure in miniature, euch group upon the platforms and each stago tab. leau. ‘The latter pictures are then framed and hung upon the watls of the “Den,” where every member can study his own character, position and distinctive number at leisure. The individual pictures are sent to Paris, where contracts are immediately made for the manufacture of tho costumes and otber necessary ap- pliances, By October or November aii tho material is received in New Orleans, wheu the work of the car- penters und artists commence, under the eye and spe- clal direction of the association oflicials, who have, meunwhile, read up and fully posted themselves upeo all the details and capacity of the subject to be represented. All this ts doue quietly, expeditiously and in a thorough business like way, the place where the preparations are being mado, by officers selected for that duty. OPENING TUR COSTUMES and arranged by an experienced costumer, brought many years ago from Paris for that sole purpose. Euch member 1s then forced to call at some ap- poitea time, when his costume ts carefully fitted, every detail thoroughly examined, and every possible contingency provided for, It is then locked up and stored away In a box beariug ais number, by which, asin tho Penitentiary, he is only known thereafter, The Captain reigng like Richclicu, with ‘‘absolute power,’? The most implicit obedicnce to orders ts exacted, and from his will there isno appeal Thus everything moves with military precision, and the grave responsibility resting upon him invariably proves the best guarautce of his suc+ ceRs, Sach in brief is a sketch of the work undergone for the production of ono of these beautiful visions, worthy of the sublimest conceptions of Dante, Homer, Petrarch, Spencer, Milton or Moore, all of whom bave been more exquisitely illustrated by the Krewe than ever idealized by painter or sculptor, Apropos of the latter, sometimes the display consists entirely ot sculpture, as in ‘American History,” “Story of the Humoriats,” &c, Effects thus produced are grand in the extreme, The theatrical tableaus affording, as they do, the opportunity to pile up forty or fifty figures in a single marble group, under the rays of strong calcium and colored lights, are almost awe inspiring to the spectator, THE EXPENSE ot one of these displays, including the rent of the theatre, ball expenses, &c., averages between $15,000 and.$20,000, It would probably cost more but for much of the labor beug performed by the parties in- terested, This money is raised by assessment from the individua! members of the association, *bich usually number, both active and honorary, about 200, In compensation the ball tickets, atter deducting a number for the use of distinguished strangers, are ap- portioned among thom, It becomes, therefore, exceed- ingly dificult for outsiders to obtain tickets, and this very scarcity gives them a value which tho assess, ment only faintly represents—.¢ least such has proved the experience so far. THE BALLS are conducted under the most rigid rules, No trans- fers ure allowed, and an offer made by uny party to | bim trom all future hospitality. One of the rules is to receive no | aid from the outside, On several occasions handsome | donations have been sent by strangers and other ad- mirers. In every case these have been promptly re- turned, it being understood that the least stain of the mercenary would prove fatal to the whole character and stability of au institution purely wsthetic in object and nature. As before stated, the Krewe occasionally essays the realms of the purely imaginative, where originahty bas full play, and these efforts have gener- ally proved the most popular, as in the “Old English Holidays,” “Trinmph of Epicurus,”? “Seven Senses,” “Darwin’s Missing Links,” &c, This year they at- tempted, under the title of “The Aryian Race, or Evo- lutions of Fasbion,” to unite the imaginative | and historic m portraying the vagaries of Fastion trom the earliest times to the remote future, giving tt a dash of exaggeration, which did not, however, trench upon the limits of burlesque, It extended from the dreamy past, when the sacrea lotos flower was wor- shipped in Egypt, down and out to the prospective day of Minervian rule, A. D, 1976. THE CARNIVAL OF 1877, In anticipation of the festivities, for weeks past the city has been decorated im holiday attire, the royal banner literally draping the streets in all directions. Never did Mardi Gras receive a more enthusiastic wel- come than upon this occasion, THR DAY DISPLAY, The day opened cold and with a drizzling rain, and everything looked unpromising for the contemplated | festivities, But few individual maskers appeared on tho strect, general interest seeming to be settled on the great event of the day, Notwithstanding the un- favorable weather, however, the crowd was early out in full force, but for a long Ume it was a matier of doubt whether the procession would appear or not, Avout one o'clock the skies lightened a little. when From this ime ont the drizzling rain was continuous, and although great credit was accorded the King tor his determination not to disappoint expectations, yet it detracted greatly nobody being admitted to or even enlightened as to | A month before Mard! Gras the costumes are opened | jets, colored lights, transparencies, &c. Betore dark every spot affording a view was packed with people, while the streets were so crowded as to leave barely enough room for the floats and torch bearors to pass. As it was their progress was slow, {requently inter- rapted by halts, none of which were however of very Jong duration, As the light and the moving cloud overhead grew brighter strains of music began to reach the car, when the excitement became intense, COMUS APPEARS. On it came, heralded by a murmur of admiration. Slowly the crowd gave way betoro it until at last the head surged into sight In the person of Comus himself, an exquisitely dressed character, all feathers, Ince and goid, bearing charged aloft his magic flugou, a draught from which enslaved his victims, changing their beads into those of animals, He stood upon a high mossy rock, with # pearly river flowing at its base, At bis feet pumber of his transformed victims carousing with barlequins upon the bank, as the type of his pe, culiur power, In dresses, artiste appointments and *Fealiatic effect, this float, drawn by six white horses, was umsurpussablo and worthy of the bighest encon- juma 1818 ENTHRONED. Following came the story of the year, displayed upon twenty-three appropriately decorated floats or platforms, each preceded by a large descriptive trans- parency. The name bestowed upon the design proved, however, to be somewhat of a misnomer, since it opened with an Egyptian sceue, a people we!l known to have been of Semetic and not Aryan origin. It rep- resented the portals of an Rgyptian temple, where sat tho goddess Isis amid a group of priests and wor- shippers offermg sacrifco at heraltar, Although the best authorisies were closely followed as to architec ture, costumes, &c., there was just sufficient exaggera_ tion im the lutter to provoke a smile without detracting from {ts nalf barbaric splendor, and gave almost as truthful an idea of the costuming of the era B, C. 1200 «as found recorded upon the ruined monuments that strew tho shores of the Nile Its biended harmony of color, care- ful grouping and picturesque effect produced evidenced conscientious study and good taste, VENUS AND THR SATYRS, The second tableau skipped to B.C, 400, present- ing a miniature representation of “Greek Tragedy.” Before the tagade of a theatre, adorned with lile-sized statues of Venus and the Satyrs, a warrior and his bride gazed down upon a combat between actors, whose heuds were covered with the traditional masks, While somewhat open to oriticism upon the ground of incon- gruity the group was nevertheless magnilicent,. The delicate manner in which the severely classic was ex- aggerated only to the verge of comicality gave it a ‘delicious touch of humor that would have provoked a smile trom old Diogenes himself. ROME’S TRIBUNE. Contemporancous with the same era the third tableau represented a scene [rom “Republican Rome”’— a Senator of that day addressing trom the tribune a small and promiscuous group of ‘fat and greasy citl- zens” im the modern “stump specch” style, This not only gave a faithtul reflex of the costumes ot the period, bat also served tu show, by a happy stroke, how nearly humanity ts kin throughout all times and countries, The noble Roman’s red and carbuncled face shining out beneath the laurel crown was 80 suggestive of our present national capitol that but few faried to appreciate tho satire thus bappily suggested. A ROMAN BANQUET. The fourth tableau brought the record down to the second century, ‘imperial Rome,’ a feast in the old juxurious style of the days when men lived but to gratify their appetites, In a pulatial interior was spread the low table and couches upon which the aver- age Roman of the day was accustomed to spread him- sell at meals, The table was covered with the remains of a feast—flagons, drinking cups, &c, At its foot spurted a cunningly contrived fountain of wine. Two Roman lords and us many ladies, all a little the worse for over-indulgence, completed the picture and served to illustrate the dress of the period, which was appa- rently more remarkable for undress, One of the most attractive features of this float was a shelf, which ran round its border, bearing papier maché reproductions of all the old Roman dishes, trom ihe peacock pie to the staffed kid, interspersed wib vases of frutts and flowers. THE DARK AGES. The M{th tableau, makiug a division in the proces- sion, was strictly allegorical tn nature and typical of the “Dark Ages.’? In marked contrast tothe gaud aud glitter of the previous pictures, it was severe and sombre in (one, showing uo touch of any bright colors Its theme was ‘Science, Literature and Art Dominated by Man.”? High upon tne ruins of a broken arch stood a Gothic warrior, sombre in/dress and aspect, while below, loaded with chains, cowered amid shat- tered capitals and broken columus three figures, identilying “Science,” “Literature” and “Art,” The contrast afforded by the dull, gray tints of the picture Proved a greas relief to the eye and better prepared it for the gorgeous tableaux which followed. ANNOINTING CLOVIS. Sixth in order came tho anointing of King Clovis (filth century) At an altar stood the King undergo- ing baptism at the hands of priests and alcolytes. This was a faithful reproduction of the costumes of the time, divested of any attempt to caricature or exaggerate, and accurately reproduced an old picture of that notable event in history. THRONE OF CHARLEMAGNE The seventh tableau transferred the spectator to the eighth century, “The Throne of Charlemagne.’ ‘This was a splendid structure sover twenty feet high. Atthe top, under a gorgeous canopy, sat the groat Christiana King, holding in his hand the glove and other symbols of supreme sway. Grouped upon ihe Steps of the throne were courtiers, pages and heralds: one of thom bearing the celebrated sword “Joyouse.” The exuggeration in this instance was only faintly suggested and not sufficiently expressed to detract from 1s merits as a historic picture, KLEVENTH CENTURY CRUSADERS, The eighth car presented a group of crusaders of the eleventh century—tte days of cast steel waistcoats, iron potted heads and double handed swords, Th sence of caricature here became more apparent, though the armored costumes were superb. The plat- from the effet of the display. The Rex procession was quite a handsome success, The King rode tp the middle of the procession instead | of atthe head, surrounded by twelve knights in full steel armor, and escorted by the Royal Guards, a battalion of boys equipped, uniformed and armed for his service, The cars bore a design in close imitation | of tho usages established by his cousin Comus, Al- though the display was rich and costly tt lacked the carnival element of royal fun, which the public had Iearned to expect trom the one day’s reign of the jolly king, and was, therefore, somewhat of a disuppoint- ment, The subject selected was the “Army of all fldied, every vantage spot struggled over, These night processions usually consist of allout 125 charac. ters, grouped upon about twenty lurge plat. forma, twenty-five feet by ten fect in die | mensions, each drawn by four caparisoned | horses, ied by as muny liveried grooms. Tuese plat. | forms are cunningly built up, with wood, canvas, papier. | taché and other simple cuntrivances, into the most | wonderfui and artistic forms. Whether it is to o- | fent the throne of Solomon, a pastoral rcene, the vcean depths or the Olympian heights, she skiilof the designer and the touch of the experienced artist endow it with the semblance of reality. astonishes the spectator as the efects thus produced, Nothing so Ages,’ and represented soldiers of every known era and country, very weil grouped, upon twenty-four floats, as tollows:—L ‘The royal coat of arms, 2 Airi- can barbarians, 3 Egyptian soldiers, 4. Hebrew, 6. Medes and Persians, 6 Romans, 7. Ancient irit- ) ish, Goihs, Huns and Vandals, 10 Norsemen, U. Saracens, 12, Crusaders, 13. Wor Engines of the | Middle Ages—battering rum, (I'his was a lofiy, well desigued superstructure, and the most marked Jenture of the procession.) 14, Spaniards, 15, Ger- maas. 16 Hindoos. 17, Continentals, 18, Indians. 1% Japanese and Chinese. 20. Oceanic, 21. Cri- mean, 22 American, 23, Franco-German, 24, Sere vian, im which the domain of the impossivle appears so often successfully assailed, Only through careiul | study and the experience of long years could such ex. chieved, quisite poriection ever have been AS TUK PROCESSION MOVES through the streets, in tront, uround the bunds of miéic, preceding aud jollowing, along either side ot the entire Ime ts one unbroken chum of bri lights mounted apon poweriui reilectors, The from 1,600 to 2,000 in number and utilize the serv over 200 spectral beurers, who are carefully drilled the service in anticipation. The secret of the place ot preparation, changed every year, is aiways carefully guarded from the public and is invariably jocated in some remote district of the city, the procession gen- erally appearing on the route advertised in the very opposite direction from which expected, heralded by @ flood of light, vvertopped vy a heavy though brilliant cloud of sino! which shadows it hke an airy canopy and adds no little to the weird effvct of the scene, The subject displayed 18 announced upon transparencies of ever changing de- sign, invariably exquisitely pamted. Upon one oc- casion aa original poem, lilust dd by lixing tubleaus, oe wus thus Girst published to the world, so that every | One comid read it a8 it passed. Alwr procecding over its short route, the lights ouly It is first | THE PROCESSION was well grected throughout its long roate, The paint. ing upou the cars looked slightly stagy in the broad glare of day to provo as eifective as the night diepiays The costumes were, however, both elegant and costly, designed by Mr. Britton, a promising young artist in this city, and faithtully ilustrating the subject matter of disp! ‘The group o: armored nobles surrounding the King im front made @ fine appearance, but was lacking distinguishing features. With due allowances, the display might be pronounced creditable. Of course, most of the costumes were seriously injured if not completely destroyed by the tine the ratver lengthy | roure had been traversed wnd it finally entered Expo- sition Hall, where the King gave a grand ball and re- ception at night, It occupied about twenty ininutes | im passing a given point, aid had no lese than tour | bands of music in attendance, One car, representing | federal ana Contederate soldiers tratern camp fire, with the two flags mteriwine was enthusiastically greeted by th several cars Lonbons were freely crowd, tug around a at the rear, people. From showered ov the Tuk NIOME DISILAY le was eight o'clock velore u tight of rockets and form, representing a lawn im front of the Castle of Ala canta, which lowered im the background, was a marvel of ingenuity and artistic effectiveness, Through its | gateway was seen emerging a mounted king, armed itmay be here remarked that nothing adds more to the effectiveness of the tableaux than mounted figures. The horses are made of papier maché, life size, but the rider is invariably personated by one of the char- acters, JUSTICE NINE HUNDRED YRARS AGO, Ninth in order came a leat from the records of the twelfth century—a court of justice of that era—be- fore Coke and Cuitty had sapplanted the use of bil! and Droad-axe, and when muscle was much more esteemed than revised statutes, This also a iaithtul copy of au actual historic event, when a Jand case was decided in Spain during that period by an appeal to arms, held in presence of one of the arch- bisuops (It 18 alluded to im Isabotia of Castile.) It consisted of a throued bishop overlooking a ring in which « furious combat was taking place between two armed knights, Though rather commonplace in con- ception, the group yet served its purpose of display. ing the extravagauce of coatume among the two lead ing classes Of the cra, THK LORD OF THE MANOR, ‘The next car also afforded a glimpse of domestic life during the twelfth century. In an open interior, built and decorated to resembic the grand ball of a castle, were seaied a lord and lady of tho manor, being en- tertained in the stately but utterly dreary style then in vogue, The troubadour with his story, the harper with his interminable song and the jester with his mechanical jokes, calculated to sot the tecth on edge, were all present, going through their paces. ANCIENT UUSTING, The cleventh and twellth cars were similarly de- sigued—one representing the departure of a mounted outing party, with attendants, from a castle gate. The Indy boro a hooded falcon on her wrist, and all the costumes were faithiul copies of those incident to the same century. The other reproduced a dinner party of the four. teenth contury which, beyond being picturesquely grouped, presented no very distinguishing features, HEFEBLICAN VENICR, ‘The ear following wrpifying Republican Venice dur- ing the fourteenth ceutury was «superb design. It was built in tho form a State gondola, such as that im whieh the Doge was wont to Wed the Adriatic, Draped with gorgeous hangings, rich in golden decorations tableau was | and apparently marvellous carving, Slied with living freight clothed in all the richest spolls of the Kast, it ‘was a sight not soon to be forgotten, and irresistibly ‘earried the spectators in imagination back to that dreamy city, nestied in the arms of the ocean, once the very heart pulse of luxury and civilization. PASHIONABLK ‘‘CALLS."” ‘The fourteenth float closed the eecond division of the procession, and represented a fushionable call during ‘the filteenth century. This was'a period during which metallic small clothes commenced going out and velvets and laces began coming iu. It was essentially a period of extruvagence in dress, when all sorts of absurdities were tolerated—trains, enormous collars, towering headdresses, whalebone cuirasses and absurd boots. Although this era was illustrated in broad caricature it probably did not far surpass reality itself. The scene ropresented the doorstep of u ceat little brick house, with tiny windows and diamond-shaped panos, such as one sees even nowadays hiding away in old ca- thedral towns in England. Upon it stood the host and hostess in holiday attire welcoming a brace of swells of the period, who called ip state accompanied by their retinue, The picture was quaintly humorous and eheited much admiration. SCIBNCK, RBLIGION, WAR. The third and last division was preceded by ihe Gfteenth flout, bearing anotner allegorical design, also in neutral colors, Reversing its predecessor it repre- sented ‘Science, Literature and Religion dominating War,” enthroned together, high anove a solitary soldier of the sixteenth century, who, stripped of his rugged flerceneas, uow typified only the spirit of adventure, “TO THE TOURNAMENT. ’? The sixteenth car aglimpse of life during the sixteenth century, and was designated ‘To the Tour- nament.’’ From the terrace of acastle a group of lords and ladies, babited in the quaint attire of une time, bade adieu to a mounted knight aboug departing j forthe tournament, The latter personage was a gross exaggeration of the chivalric type. His bright steel armur, of hideous desigu; bis enormous lance and outré looks, would have frigitened tho life out of both Peter the Hermit and Saladin had they encountered on the plains of Palestine. GRANDEUR KxEMPLIFIED. The seventeenth and eighteenth cars gave illustra tive scenes from the sixteenth and seventeenth centu, ries. First, ‘Leaving Church,’ in which the enormous ruffs and hoops of that period wore laugbably carica- tured, The second, ‘Rivals in the Garden,” which afforded a glimpse of Versailles in the golden days of the Grand Monarque. Both of these floats were mar- vels ol richness and scenic effect, Next appeared a group seated ina comparatively modern room, illus- trating the fashions of the eighteenth century; its powtler puffs, wigs, towering headdresses, and all the other vagaries of our grandfathers’ days, NEARER HOME. It was curious to remark how enthusiastically the crowd greeted this tableau, though far inferior to its predecessors. At last thoy had discovered something faminar, if not to them at least to their fathors, and they welcomed it us fqndly as we do old jokes irom the clown, The figures were seated around @ spindle- logged table bearing the old-fashioned teapot, candle snuffers and othor uncomfortablo appliances of that venerable date. It wasa laughable picture—one that made no very heavy draft upon the spirit of caricature to endow It with ridicule. IN THE LAND OV BAKED BEANS, With the twentieth car in line “Boston Common’? came to the front, further illustrative of the eighteenth century, On a neatly contrived doorstep sat the or- dinary stago type of “Uncle Sam,” engaged in the sublime, but rather sedentary occupation of whittling, ly gazing upon a group of promenad- 8, principally remarkable for skimpy skirts, enormous collars, grotesque canes, poke bon- nets and a general angularity of look, which could not but affect their disposition, as the South has since found out, to its cost, by rubbing too hard against the corners. It was, however, a fair silhouette of the fashion peculiarities of the days that tried men’s souls, and elicited some applauso in passing. AS WE ARE IN THE PARK The next tableau in line represented a group of fashionavles of tho present century, in which all the notab.e vagaries and extravagances of latter days were portrayed in broad caricature en promenade through “the Park.’? Hoops, waterfulls, baggy breeches, ec- centric collars, &c., all came in for a proper sharo of ridicule and calicd forth much merriment, as one by one forgotten outrage upon good tuste was ex- posed, to which many had heretofore perhaps unwill- ingly been particeps crimunt, OUR FOLLIES. ‘Thotwenty-second tableau was devoted toa satire upon the follies of the day in which we live, under the rather vaguo title of “Shopping in the Nineteenth Century.”_lp front of a store portal, about en- tering, stood a group resplendent in all the novelties of the present fashion, Galusborough’s pullbacks, bigh heels, tilters and head dresses, ull laughably, though not absurdly exaggerated. These costumes were made of the most costly material and ag tastily vs though from the studio of the immortal Worth himself, There was atund of humor in this that few failed tu enjoy, besides serving as an excellent avant courrier ot the last picture, which closed this eventful history. : A CENTURY BEFORE US, The Inst float was not only the largest, but most effective in the procession, sinco it brought to bear all the experience of the past in projecting the fashions of the future, It represented the Presidential election of 1976, held at the base of the statue of Minerva, and conducted between the friends of the ‘White Rose” and ‘Red Rose” tickets respectively, several of whom wero present ag commissioners in charge of the ballot box, It is impossible to describe these gorgeous costumes, Like woman herself thoy were wonderfully and fear- fully made, hke unto nothing in the heavens above, the earth beneath or the waters below, Yet with all this’ they were superbly rich und bewildering, sugges- tive of the nuptials of butterflies and fairies, a revel of flowers and fringes, the epithalamium of loves and laces, It was an artistic dream, as daring as it proved delighttul, At the rear*of tho statu exiled to a separato department, or pen, as it might be more appropriately called, huddled together a group of degraded men, unsexed both as to dress and duties, Some nursed the babies, others run sewing machines; one was engaged in cooking, while anothér simpering youth coyly received a dashing, rakish lady caller, on conquest tent. The contrast presented by these m!serable wretches was excessively ridiculous, and convulsed the spectators with uproarious laugh- ter. It did more than this vy teaching the lesson of to what base uses we may come at last under woman’s gentle sway, The mirth excited by the last happy conception was soon drowned, however, by the STRAINS OF MARTIAL MUSIC from the band, which brought up the rear of the line of procession, From the last car was scattered w newspaper, The Ayricn, dated Christmas, 1976, a well gotten up journal, professing to give the news of that remotely future day, ond fullof the most startling novelties 1a the way of improved facilities for travel, habits, customs and comforta, After the scramble for this Iterary jetsam and flotsam the crowd slowly scaitered, leaving the streets within an hour as lonely as they usually ure in this quiet city, AT THE THEATRE. ‘The Krewe arrived at the theatre about half-past nine o'clock P, M., where a large audience, all in costume de rigeur, bad already assembled, the lower portion of the house being occupied exclusively by ladies, As soon ag the Krewe had entered at the rear the doors of the theatre were closed, and neither egress nor ingress permitted until the close of the tableaux, LIVING TABLBACK, ‘These followed at intervals of about fifteen minutes each, and were ail very veautilul, The first tabieau represented a Roman wedding, 400 years 1. (., and was composed of twenty-five figures, The bri:i\! pair siood belore an altar, upon which a priest was sacri ficing a kid, while both the bride and groom’s friends were awaiting to escort them to their homes 10 grand Procession, as customary at the time. The second tableau represented an onlarged and more gorgeous form, the Baptism of King Ciovis, A. D, 496, and consisted of about fifty figures, appropri- ately grouped. The third tableau similarly reproduced the Court ot Justice ja the eleventh century, where the Span- ish Archbishop + in judgment at a mortal com- | bat This was very artistically arran, ad with about | fitty figures, and looked like one of the old giant pic- | cures one sees in tho Does’ Palace at Venice. ‘The fourth tableau utilized about forty figures, and represenie allegorically, science, literature, art and religion ema) ng from the Dark Ages, [t was impos sibie, during the short time it was exposed, to take in NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1877.—TRIPLE SHEET. the light flashing far out Canal street gave signal of the Krewe’s approach. The entire route had been pro- viously handsomely decorated with the carnival colors (purple, gold and green), appropriate designs in gas the deiaits of tne picture, but ite general effect was ex- cellent and called forth rapturous applause. The final tab!eau embraced all the characters in tho Apotheosis of Woman. In front stood the characters of the future 1976, newly grouped, while bigh up at the back stood Comus and his court presenting this new revelation to an admiring world, while, grouped around, above, below, everywhere, the representatives of all times and countries gazed jn blank astonishment and amazement at this chaotic ending of all human effort thus arrived at. It was a fit climax tothe dream, a biting satire, a bombshell of fun which ex- Ploded the audience with laughter, amid which the | revel died out for 1877. After the tableaux the curtain went up once more, when the characters mingled a few moments with the sudience and then quietly disappeared. Dancing then commenced and was prolonged until late in the mora- ing hours, 4 CLEAR SKY. The rain ceased about six o'clock, when the crowds again commenced assembling along the route an- nounced by the Mystic Krewe, which made its appear- ance punctually at cight P. M. ‘ DANCING BEFORE LENT. At night balls were given at every theatre and public ballin the city. To the Rex ball, where the King held aleveo in his throne room, nearly 11,000 invitations were issued. Thero wero probably half that number jn attendance, but so large is the exten- sive building that it was not incon- veniently crowded. Dancing was kept up here until nearly three o'clock A. M. The Krewe ball, at the Varieties, to which only limited number of in- vitations were issued, was attended by the élite of the city and their friends from abroad, and Jasted until about half-past oue o’clock A, M. The bulls at the St. Charies Theatre and the Academy were also numerously attended, and were well conducted, YUN FAST AND FURIOUS. At the Opera House a public bal! was given, more remarkable for the true carnival spirit than for, refine. ment, It was crdwded after twelve o’cluck, when the fun grew fast and furious, Asa general rulo only the gentler sex were in costume. All classes of people were largely ropresented, and it Iasted fur into the sombre dawn of Ash Wednesday. Take it alliw all the carnival this year was fully up to its predecessors. THE FLSTIVAL IN MEMPHIS. Memputs, Feb, 13, 1877. During the entire day Main and other prominent streets were filled with maskers and spectators, and the entire city was given up to the reign of the merry movarch, who at threo o’clock traversed Main street with hig royal retinue. His Majesty was mounted on a royal chariot drawn by twelve white steeds, and attended by the ‘Society of Ulks, who had thirteen comic floats or cai each being a good burlesque of some subject, ptominent among which were ‘The Baby, the Universal King,’ in a royal cradle; ‘rhe Vexed Eastern and Eternal Qu tion’’—Turkey represented by an enormous turkey, with representatives of the different European Powers anxious to take a slice with the sword; ‘Ver Wacht am Rhein;” “Origin of Chivalry; ‘St, Patrick Ban- ishing Snakes,”’ &o, . The crowning glory was the gorgeous pageant of the Memphp at night, the darkness -which overhung the | city serving to heighten the the effect of the brilliant parti-colored lights, which displayed 1n all their grao- deur the magnificent costumes, drapery and archi- tecture of the characters and scenes repre- sonted, Main street being brilliantly illuminated by means of calcium lights and chemical fires, Tho subject represented was India from the date of Aryan philosophy and birth of Branma to the enslavement of that land and its abandonment by the spirit of Memphi. The costumes were from Paris and tho scenic paintings by the best scenic artists to be ob- tained. i Alter the pageant ries of tubleaux were given at the new Memphis Theatre, alter which a grand ball was given to the guests of the Memphi. Balls were also given at Exposition Hall, the Opera House and numerous other halls, The whole affair passed off without a single disturbance or accident to mar the festivities, It 18 estimated that from 20,000 to 25,000 strangers were present. BAL MASQUE OF THE FRANOAIS. Thecold wind last night chilled the enthusiasm of Ploasure’s votaries so thoroughly that only the youngest and warmest blooded ventured to ap- pear in the grand Jal masqué given by the Circle Frangais “Calypso” within the classic walls of Tammany Hall. Whon the hour appointed for the grand entry of the masqueraders arrived the scattered groups who boasted a costume Jomed in the grand march, which was executed with many pretty evolutions but without much spiri. The CIRCLE Bet was brilliant enough, and the costumes, though not rich, were appropriate and gay. As the long lime of masqueraders moved about the hall in graceful serpentine ti many pretty and pleasing pictures were presented, and bud there been a larger uumber of porsons present the most critical would bave had no subject of complaint. While there were many costumes there were tew characters, Among the few some, however, were very good, and played their rdlexs with intelligence aud rt Among these especiully to be noted was a gentieman in the character of a gorilla, and he could scarcely Lave better periormed his part bad he been the long sought missing link about which Professor Darwin is 80 anxious, More than one red man was present in the aucient wigwain, and these braves car- ried their tomabawks apd feathers in a that would cause poor old Sitting Bull to die of laugh- ter could he only catch a glimpse of them. Not so, however, with the Indian maidens who would readily’ have been adopted into any Wigwam on the plains. There were the usual number of pages represented by buxom ladies, und elegaut courtiers, whose clothes evidently were never made for them; a quantity of nondescripts, mostly of the French pat- tern and jolly envugh to look at, because free from ail pretentiousness, . and a pumber whose only disguise wi the musk. The majority of the costumos were worn by women, while many ot tho gentlemen did not even appear in evening dress, which was chiefly remarkable vy its rarity, ‘The proceedings once begun were kept up with spirit, and it was evident from the first note of dauce music that the masqueraders were bent on enjoying themselves, The first culop proved too much for the philosophy of the majority of people who had come with the intention merely of being onlookers, and when the quadrilles began to form the young people precipitated themselv down the gallery stairs, and soon the unmasked dancers diyputed in numbers with their better equipped companions, The ball was now rolling and the spirit of tun and revelry gradually increased as tne bight wore on und the new arrivals covered up the vacant p aces on the floor, ‘The dancing was kept up with spirit tila late bour, and the bal masqué was pronounced a success by thy assistants. THE JUVENILES’ GUARDIAN. <= ROBERTSON—HE WANTS MORE. ‘ New York, Feb, 13, 1877, To tux Epitor oy THE HERAL It is not my intention, at this time, to reply in your columns to the slanderous and vindictive statements made against my personal character communicated in to-day’s Hrgazp, simply demanding before a lawfully constituted tribunal ‘justice’ viz, atull and open investigation and the hearing of evidence on buth sidee. All L ask for mysell is “a fair field ana no favor;”’? but on behaif of the society of which | have the honor to be secretary | desire to suy that, among the yaribus false accusations, { single out the follow. ing assertion made by R. M. Jones and charac. terize it, 1b the m unqualified manuer, 4s fa se and iniquitous in every particular ;- ‘The Guardian Society and Chil Sanitarium are o1 andthe same, The dwnitarium is run by the society summertime. They tclue and food to childre: ots of collectors ; ry und che other lor the Ul CARD FROM MR. {he Juvenile Guardian Society has no connection with the Children’s Sanitarium or any other charitavie organization whatsoever, and does bot employ two sets of collectors. I am informed tbat two lormer col- lectors of this society now collect for the Sanitarium under Mr. King. ‘these geniiomen left our society's employ vn the 23d of Novomber lat, and have not since represented it in any capacity whatever. In regard to Mr Pell’s statements LT would just say that the State Comptroller ana other public officers familiar with charitab! instivutions regard not only the food put into the mouth as a direct charity, but also avce, nurses, wages working expenses. But why did M tost in 1874 inst such illegitimate payments as he now murmurs 0 friends of the society that supplies of provisions aro urgently required to feed and reheve many suilering families: who cannot be neglected. Woy should the work cease? We may not stop to listen to the ravings of misguided oF reckless opposers, knowing that it the work by of God it will prosper, all things or persons to the con. trary notwithstanding. Donations in mol should be sent to Joho T. Banker, Treasurer, +. Provisions can be seut to Ul Mark's place, F, ROBERTSON, Svcretary New York Juvenile Guardian Society. AMUSEMENTS, STEINWAY HALL—MME. ESSIPOFY, The retarn of such an accomplished artist as Mme, Essipoff to New York after her extendea Western tour isa eulyect of congratulation in musical circles here. Last night she made her rentrée at Steinway Hall and was received with o heartiness thas left nothing to be desired on the score of welcome. Al- though she was Iindisposed on the occasion Mme. Essipofl’s great talents were shown in the early part of the concert. Her first tribute was paidto the Wotan of the Walballa of Music—Beethoven—and the sonata in A flat, opus 110, was selected,a work which js somewhat neglected of late by pianists, The interpretation of the introduction, ‘Moderato can- tabile molto espressivo,” revealed a degree of poetry, delicacy and finisued execution, especially in the treatment of the light gossamer-like passages, that wae entirely in accord with the spirit of the music, ‘The pianist proceeded at once without a pause tothe allegro, with it short, abrupt phrases, and liagered with loving tenderness on the beautiful adagio, a re- markable example of the composer’s latest period in writing. The succeeding fugue was given with that distinctness that carried the theme through every fanciful episode without obscuring in the jJeast its measures, and yet there was not @ trace of monotony, but the varying emo- tions—sadness, joy, love and weariness of spirit— were traced upon the ivory keys with m: Chopin was, of course, the next of the musical deities to whom the fair pianist paid homage, and to whom she bas erected a secret shrine in ner rt of musical poetry. ‘Tbe nocturne in B minor, with its retine- ments of harmony that seem of celestial birth, and the polonaise in A flat (militaire), with its martial, ener- getic rhytum tbat galvanize and electrily even the most indifferent, were the selections from the works of the Apollo of the divine art. As the bold, command- ing measures spraug from the piano at the touch i of the pl might dream tbe pomp and the Magyars of other days, those gallant cavaliers whose ballroom wun the battle field and whose music w arms, At this point of the concert the interest les- sened, as the Polish song of Chopin transcribed tor the plano by Liszt is the least attractive of the Ofteen songs known as “Chants Polonais,” and Mmo. Eam- pofl showed evident signs of either indisposition or weariness in her playing of two little works by Schumann. Rubinstem’s “Study on False Notes,’? which concluded the concert, is rather more in- genious and eccentric than artistic, and it offends the ear after such works us thos which were placed in the fir art of the pro. gramme. M. Alfred Viviev, the violinist, played a sonata by F. W. Rust, written in 1795, and consisting of short movements which nowadyys would form a suite instead of w sonata, The composer, who was quitea celebrity in Anbalt Dessau a century ago, evinces in this sonata fyb kere style, which waa admirably interpreted by M. Vivien. Of the various movements a Gigue (jig) seemed to us to be the most attractive, It had some ol the fairylike qualities of a Mendelssohn scherzo. Mile. Agnese Palma, a con- tralto, sang some sclections very unsatisfactory, neither her voice nor her method ot singing being of a kind calculated to win public favoror critical esteem, THE LASAR TESTIMONIAL CONCERT. Mr. S, Lasar’s testimonial concert at tho Strong place Baptist church, Brooklyn, last evening was well attended, and would have been very enjoyabie if it had not been in 4 church. There is something in the atmosphere of achurch that is fatal to amusemonts, even though they be nothing more secular than a sacred concert, Another drawback in more senses 0) the word than one was the fact that the singers sat in the choir loft at the rear of tke church, so that one not having his neck on a pivot like a figure in ao hairdresser’s window left the church a stiff-necked victim to his curiosity. There wot and although the auaience was ovidently pleased applause seomed out of place, The claps were few and far between, and rang through the church with startling distinctness. The programme was well selected, aud was inaugurated with “y that I knew where I might find Him,” anthem, by Sir William Sterndale Bennett, a composer ‘whose music is too seldom heard in this country, but whose popularity in Engiand 1s an exception to thi rule that a prophet is not without honor ein his own country. This selection was followed by arma from “Elijah,” “Eh,’? “The Creation,” ‘he Mes- siuh,” anda motett, “Hear us, On, Saviour,” by Mor. itz Hauptmann, sung by the choir of the church, The soloists of the evening were Miss Beebe, Mra. Bulk- loy-Hills, Mr, Leggat and Mr. Sobst. The second part of the programme was devoted to the ‘‘Stabat Mater,’? which was not, however, given in itsentirety. Miss Beebo’s voice showed to advantage in the parts allouted to her, its peculiar veiled quality being rather pleasant then otherwise, as it gives an impression of reserved power. She was particularly good inthe ‘inflamma- tus,” Mrs. Bulkley-Hills has a very agreeable, sympa- thetic voice, with a little of Miss Beebe’squality, Her cavatina was well sung, and would bave received an envore anywhere but in a church, Mr. san; the “Cujus Animam” without spirit, and show traces of arecent cold, His voice would be more agreeable if be did not use the tremolo go continually, r. Sohst’s fine basso cantante did tull justice to t! “Pio Reccatis,” and the quartet without acoompan! meut was uousually wellrendered. The choir hardly did justice to the choruses, For some reason oF other choir singers never sing out; balf the number of protegsionals would give twice ihe power. Another agit with this choir 1s. the jerky manner in which it hg, but that fauit ties with U conductor to remedy. THE WINDSOR DRAMATIC CLUB. An admirable performance was given last evening atthe Lexington Opera House, under the auspices of the Windsor Dramatic Club, in ald of the charity fund of Arcana Lodge, No. 246, F. and A, M. The attend. ance Was lari nd tushionable, The comedivtta, All For Him,” afforded Mrs, H. W. Seaich aud Miss sophie Gordon au exgellent opportunity of displaying their talents, LITERARY CHIT-CHAT. The edition of the ‘Ancient Mariner,” illustrated by Doré, published during tho winter by Harper & Bros., was exbuusted three weeks ago and a new edition is about to be published. D, Appleton & Co, will publish during the present week ‘A Hund Atlas of Ancient Geography,” by Rev. George Butler, of Liverpool College, uniform with their “Hand Atlas of Mouern Geography,” by the same author, which appeared some few years ago and has met with considerable success, The same firm will pablish at the same time a work on ‘Majolica and Faience,” by Arthur Beckwith. The ‘Heritage of Langdale,” a novel by Mrs, Alexan- der, author of “The Woing-0’t,” will be published by Henry Holt & Co, on the 17th inst, It will appear in the ‘Leisure Hour Series,” of which “The Woing O'v’’ was one of the most successful works, ‘*Lorley and Reimhi » by Berthold Auerbach, will be published Next month in the “Leisure Hour Series.” “A Mad World,” by Julius Chambers, recently pab- lished by PD. Appleton & Co,, has had a remarkably large sale, An unacthorized eaition has appeared in Canada, Sadler's edition of Henry Crabb Robinson, and the “Beauties of De Quincey”? are among tho most suc+ cessful works lately published by Hurd & Houghton, ‘The Liltle Gem, a New York juvenile monthiy, ts publishing an interesting serial entitled ‘The Adven- tures of Dot and Hazy.’’ Its author is Rosa Grabam, a contributor to various periodicals. Macmillan & Co, are publish ng a pamphlet edition of the science lectures at South Kenzington. The latest contribution is “Outlines of Field Geology,” by Pro- fessor Goikic, The last two pamphlets in the Man- chester science lectures for the peeple aro “What the Eurth is Composed Of,” by Protessor W, ©. Will. jumson, and the ‘Succession of Life on the Earth,’ by Professor Roscoe, The price of each pamphlet is twenty or twenty-five cents, Harper & Bros,’ edition of ‘Macaulay’s Life and Letters” bave had a very rapid sale, and a new edition is out. Macmillan & Co.'s ‘Statesman’s Year Book” for 1877 was published on Saturday last, . New editions of Mrs, Oliphant’s “Makers of Flor. ence” and of Howson’s ‘Ancient Streets and Home- steads of Eugland’’ are about to be publishea by Macmillan & Co, Tho first eaiton ot the former work was exhausted on the day of its publication, A second edition was exnausted ina little over a month, “Nothing succeeds liko success,” is a saying that was never better proved than in the case of the novel “gidonte,” recently published by Estes & Lauriet. Nearly two years ago Misa Celia Logun translated this story from the French, and took it to nearly every publisher in Now York only to have it scorntully re jected. Sho even sent it to Boston to Estes & Lauriet, who declined it, Thoroughly believing m the story, and sure that it only wanted a hearing to make it pop. ular, she took it to the publishers of the Clipper, who paid ber $100 for her translation, In November, 1875, this story was begun as a serial in: the Clipper, under the name of “Froment and Risier,” and published in ws entirety, Who will now prate of publishers’ in- stincts When they were afraid to touch such a book om its own merits, Miss Logan showed the most discerns ment and deserves the credit of having been the first in America to appreciate the merit in Daudet’s novel, She may yet reap some of the benefits of the suceess of the book, for she 1s now dramatizing it for a leading New York theatre