CHAPTER VIII. ARRIVAL OF THE KING. He's a king, A true, right king, that dares do aught save wrong; Who is not blown up with the flatt'ring puffs -Marston. ON Monday afternoon His Majesty, Rex, came. His approach had been heralded for days with as much care as though he bore the mightiest sceptre in the universe. Every morning the papers published double leaded and double headed bulletins of the King's condition and his whereabouts. His arrival at the Jetties was flaunted in the face of every man, woman and child who read a New Orleans paper. There were columns of proclamations and edicts. The clerks of the "department of state" were busy for days under the direction of Warwick, Earl Marshal, and Bathurst, Lord High Chamberlain of the Empire, completing the final details for his reception and working up the public sentiment to a just appreciation of the honor that was about to be conferred on the city. While all this hubbub was in progress the Royal Host and the Societies connected with it were quietly preparing for the processions of Tuesday. No one seemed to know just where these preparations were being made or by whom they were directed. No one seemed to care. Everyone knew that there was to be a scenic display that was promised to far eclipse anything of the kind they had ever seen. Where it was to come from troubled no one. They were satisfied that the arrangements were in proper hands and that in good time they would see all that was promised. The chariots and floats would have made Barnum sick with envy, but the places where they were stored put to blush the dreariness of circus tents off duty. There was no crowd about the place though; no women and children pushed and struggled to get a glimpse through the half open doors and no small boys climbed, at the risk of their necks, the peaks and gables of the adjoining houses. Had such a mass of scenic treasure been stored in New York it would have taken half a thousand policemen to keep the place from being overrun. A large steamboat went down the river, starting early in the morning. There was gathered on board a select company of ladies and gentlemen. The boat went down the river "to meet the King," but just where His Majesty got on board was kept a profound mystery. When about five miles away from the city, it was announced that His Majesty was in the grand saloon and, amid the popping of champagne corks, his health was drank and his praises sung. "The presence of a king engenders love Among his subjects, and his royal friends." The steamer stood up the river towards Canal street and presently the levee, black with his surging subjects, came in view. It was a sight long to be remembered. Along the river front, flanked with hundreds of bales of cotton, stood thousands of men, women and children awaiting his coming. Away up Canal street, royal itself in appearance, as far as the eye could reach were, line upon line, the glittering bayonets and waving plumes of the military. Close upon the river's front were the blue uniforms of Ours and the United States Marines. A hundred gallant horsemen,-Dukes of the Empire every one -gay in the royal purple and gold, awaited their master's coming at the landing stage. There was a salvo of artillery as his Majesty stepped on the sacred soil of his capital city. Never did monarch enter a gayer capital. Since the royal fleet had set sail from Utopia nature had smiled upon his favorite. The clouds had fled from the heavens, the soft breezes had come up from the tropics and stayed long enough to burst the buds, open the sweet violets and raise the grass above the sod. He landed amid the cheers non. of thousands, the waving of flags and the booming of canBatteries roared on the shore and the heavy ordnance of the North Atlantic squadron, United States Navy, shook the houses. No monarch ever entered a more loyal city. As his boat came up the river, covered with craft crowded with the beauty of New Orleans, the yards of the men-of-war were manned, the ships dressed and the highest honors paid him. More could not have been done had Rex been monarch from Pole to Pole. Amid the plaudits of the people he mounted the royal carriage and passed through long lines of military gathered to do him honor. About half way up the line there came a pause: "The guards mechanically formed in ranks Playing, at beat of drum, their martial pranks; Shouldering and standing as if struck to stone, While condescending Majesty looks on." The Mayor on bended knee presented the golden keys of the city resting on cushions of purple velvet. Drums rolled, cannons roared, swords flashed in air, standards drooped and Rex was King indeed. Then came the military parade escorting the King to the Opera House. The post of honor was accorded to Ours and the colonel commanded the first division of the Imperial army, which consisted of the marines, regulars, Seventy-first, three regiments of Louisiana troops and two batteries of artillery. The two other divisions were equally imposing. Amid the pomp and ceremony of the arrival proclamations were distributed broadcast, calling on the people to make merry on the morrow with decorum and propriety. reason. There can be no question of the seriousness of the New Orleans Carnival. It costs a great deal of money and a great deal of time, which, by the way, is not regarded as so exact an equivalent for money in the South as we in New York regard it. This marching and counter marching, this blaring of trumpets and issuing of proclamations means something. It is a huge business speculation, sustained by the leaders of trade, fostered by the wealth and fashion of the city and invariably successful. There is nothing of the cheap tinsel or advertising humbug about it. Even the reception of the King, exquisitely rediculous as it may appear to the calmer reflection, is not devoid of The King is an ideal monarch. He represents in his royal person, whoever he may be, the beau ideal of chivalry and good fellowship. The entire city gives itself up to the intoxication of the hour. All business is practically suspended and all classes join in the general joyousness. The organizations that control the Mardi Gras festivities are composed of the leading gentlemen of Louisiana. They give their influence and money towards it and their example is followed by every citizen, however humble his rank or short his purse strings. The city is given up to Momus and his crew, and the poorest has one day of the year to which he can look forward as bringing a rest from labors and a succession of pageants that cost him nothing. Thousands of strangers come to New Orleans and the country merchants take the occasion for their annual buying trip. The thousands of dollars spent by |