Alexandria Gazette

MARDI GRAS.—The New Orleans True American of the 25th ultimo says: Yesterday was truly a saturnian period, when mirth and merriment prevailed. "Never perhaps, in New Orleans, has the anniversary of Mardi Gras been better maintained, whether considered in reference to the numbers in the procession, the variety of costume, the singularity of the masks, and the grimace and drollery of the actors in the pageant. And there were dresses splendid but fantastical. Masks of all times and nations. Turks and Jews. And harlequins, and clowns, in the feats gymnastical, Greeks. Romans, Yankee-doodles, and Hindoos, together with Arabs, monkeys, negroes, &c., of every sex, age, and condition. The cavalcade extended about a third of a mile in length, and passed through our principal streets, affording infinite gratification to old and young. Thousands of people fringed every banquette, and the balcony of every dwelling was filled with lovely women and children, all convulsed with irresistible and unrestrained laughter at the extraordinary scene displayed. The whole affair passed off in a most agreeable manner, and it could be literally said, the people had their fill of recreation."