CHAPTER VII.
Rex comes to-day! King Carnival assumes the honors of his brief reign. Work, business, and such cares as may be laid aside at will, are prohibited by the royal and benign mandate. Eat and drink, such of you as have the wherewithal to feast, and be of good cheer, even if your banquet be but a few leaves of lettuce and a handful of golden oranges. Rex has come, and his sway is one of jollity and kindliness to all men. The sun smiles upon his coming, the earth is brave with her earliest spring-flowers, and the mighty river, tawny and swift, is ready to bear the monarch and his crew to the city on its banks. A fleet of ships lie rocking at their anchors. Yachts fluttering dainty pennants, black-hulled merchantmen, ocean-steamers, sloops, and river-boats, and a group of men-of-war, gayest of all in their holiday gear. A revenue-cutter heaves in sight far down the stream, and finally comes to anchor near the flagship. As the cable rattles down through the yellow water, the sparse, clean-rigged vessel suddenly blooms forth into
