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OUR HOLIDAYS.
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generally last until the gray dawn of day. The next Mardi Gras comes on the 1st of March, 1881, and the most elaborate preparations are now being made for its celebration. We append a table showing the dates on which this festival occurs up to the year 1890 :
1881... 1882.. 1883...
. March 1 .Feb’y 21 .Feb’y 6
1884..
1885.. 188(5..
1887..
. .Feb’y 26 .. Feb’y 17 . March 9 .. Feb’y 32
1888_____Feb’y 14
1889....	March 5
1890...	Feb’y 18
The Thursday previous to Mardi Gras, will be marked by the grand prooee-sion of
THE KNIGHTS OF MOMUS,
which was formerly held on the night of the 31st of December, but has been changed to the Thursday before Mardi Gras, to give additional attractions to visitors who come to enjoy that festival. These pageants,fike those of the Krewe’s, take place at night, are brilliantly illuminated, aud arranged with consummate skill and taste. Of course, we cannot give the subject of the approaching display, but our readers may rest assured that it will be well worthy of the festal time, and of the fame of Momus and his followers.
FOURTH OF MARCH,
the anniversary of our gallant Fire Department. On this day each company appears, with every man in ranks, engines burnished until they shine like gold and silver, and decoroted with ribbons in the most profuse and artistic arrangement, each society vieing with the other, in friendly rivalry, in their efforts toj delight the crowds of people who throng the streets to witness their turn-out.
We are proud of our Fire Department, and those who have ever witnessed their daring and self-devotion while on duty, or their gallant bearing when oa parade, celebrating the Fourth of March, will acknowledge that we have jast cause for our pride. The day closes with banquets, balls and other festivities, at which mirth and good fellowship reign supreme. The great American holiday, the
FOURTH OF JULY
coming, as it does, during our summer solstice, is not marked by that uproarious demonstration which characterizes it in some other cities of the Union. Yet it is generally observed, and is a day. which thousands of our citizens devote to recreation and amusement. The grand festivals of that worthy organization, the Clerks’ Benevolent Association, given on the Fair Grounds, always occur on the Fourth of July, and are attended byjm immense number of our citizens. They are now so much a part of the day’^entertainment that anything which might take place to prevent them, would cause serious disappointment to thousands of our people.
CHRISTMAS
is with us a home dayj a day when all the family gather around the fireside, and enjoy the spirit of love and charity which is so appropriate to the season. It has of late years received new charms, for the children of New Orleans, from the metinees given at the Academy of Music, at which that genial gentleman and jovial friend of the young, David Bidwell, Esq., enacts the role of Santa Claus, and gives each little visitor a Christmas present.
NEW YEARS’ DAY
is very generally observed by the gentlemen in making calls upon their lady friends, who keep “ open house,” and receive them with that graceful hospitality for which the ladies of New Orleans are so justly celebrated.