When the sun sheds his last rays behind the hills of peaceful Alabama, then it is that the farmer whistles a note over his last furrow, and thanks himself that the toils of day are nearly over; then the hunter checks his horse, blows his last horn and turns for home; then the lazy angler rises from the green bank, strings his silvery fish, winds up his lines and quits the quiet stream; then the children cease to "gambol o"er the plain," and night soon shrouds all objects in darkness and repose.
Not so with Orleans. Over her ma.s.sive buildings and pretty streets, the veil of night is cast in vain! Anon a soft and yellow light issues from a thousand lamps, and tells that untiring man is still abroad.
Has the merchant pored over his books the whole day, he at this happy hour sups his tea, and thinks in antic.i.p.ation of Monsieur Malet"s delightful party. Has the lawyer attended upon the courts and given audience to clients, he now forms plans for this night"s amus.e.m.e.nt.
Has the laborious editor written "copy" by the long hour until exhausted and fatigued, he now kicks the exchange papers under the table, throws aside his pen, and recals with delight the Orleans Theatre and the sweet music of Norma. Has the gay matron visited and shopped, and shopped and visited for the last eight hours, she now once more attires herself for the splendid "route" of Mad. Solon. Has the creole maiden danced and sung, and slept and read, and lounged in flowing dishabille, she now rises from her delicious ottoman and for the St. Louis masquerade, once more adorns her lovely form. Has the good and pious man toiled all day in honorable trade in behalf of his virtuous wife and smiling children, he now sits around his evening meal, blesses his Maker for "all the good HE gives," and catches with joy the sound of the deep-toned bell, calling him to the worship of his G.o.d. Thus may all tastes and dispositions find accommodation by "Orleans at night."
The cabs and coaches moving in all directions, with lights attached, resemble at a distance so many "ignuis fatuis," or jack o" the lanterns. They never stop, but go the whole night; for the gay and dissipated, surfeited with one amus.e.m.e.nt, seek another, and it is not uncommon for the same person to have made the entire rounds of the public amus.e.m.e.nts in one night. Stepping out of the theatre at eleven o"clock, they are escorted by the eager cabmen proposing to convey them to the Quarteroon Ball, the St. Louis Masquerade, and many other places. By the way, these cabs are most delightful inventions, easy to get in, fine to ride in. To prevent cheating on the part of the driver, the police have arranged the fare, so that the visitor pays one dollar per hour, as long as he rides. The city is supplied with one thousand cabs and coaches for public hire. There are fifteen hundred milk and market wagons. The quant.i.ty of milk consumed at the St. Charles Hotel alone, is eighty gallons per day!
Four thousand drays are constantly moving with merchandise of all kinds. They are drawn by large mules driven in tandem style, and although these useful animals are apparently well fed, they are certainly most unmercifully laden and cruelly beaten. I should suppose that twelve thousand mules are engaged in the commerce of Orleans one way and another. What a mart for Kentucky!
When the reader reflects that this immense city is a.s.sisted by twenty thousand miles of river navigation, extending into all parts of the western country, which is a world of itself, added to the commerce which it enjoys through the lakes and the great gulf, he will not be surprised in casting his eye over the following items: Number of ships which arrived in 1846, 743; barks, 377; brigs 447; schooners, 518; flatboats, 2670; arrivals of steamboats, 2763. There are 550 steamboats employed in the river navigation. The value of produce exported was $72,000,000; of imports, $35,000,000. Number of lawyers, 300; physicians, 200; commission merchants, 560.
This statement proves the commerce of Orleans to be very great, but it must be borne in mind that it is constantly on the increase, and no calculations can be made upon it in future, as to where it will stop.
Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, are all yearly increasing in population and produce; the latter of which must find a market here. Then I may add the product of another world not hitherto contributing, the whole western part of the valley, from the extreme north-western base of the Rocky Mountains, far, far down to the mouth of the Rio Grande, embracing the whole of Texas, all the Santa Fe territory, and the vast regions now inhabited by the Cherokees, Foxes, Creeks, Osages, and other tribes, who roam in "wilds immeasurably spread."
"The country tributary to Orleans" so Norman says, "contains nearly as many square miles and more tillable ground than all of continental Europe, and if peopled as densely as England, would sustain a population of five hundred millions." He is hardly large enough in his conceptions. Who can tell the future size of the Crescent City?
None but HIM who numbers the sands on the sea sh.o.r.e, and notices the sparrows as they fall!
On the twenty-second of February, the hearts of the patriotic Louisianians were made glad by the roar of cannon and the waving of flags. The vessels for miles were hung with beautiful banners of every civilized nation and clime, unfolding their rich colors to the ocean breeze. When I saw the sons of Spain, and France, England and Russia, thus doing homage to the memory of WASHINGTON, the greatest and best man that ever lived, I felt a spirit of grat.i.tude towards those n.o.ble nations, mingled with pride and satisfaction for the glory of my own country. The military of Orleans formed upon Ca.n.a.l street and marched through the First Munic.i.p.ality down the Bayou road, and halted upon a beautiful green. For some cause the "native" Americans did not turn out. There were two Spanish, two German, one Swiss, and four French companies upon parade. Should I attempt to describe the splendid evolutions of these incomparable troops, and the n.o.ble bearing of their skilful and accomplished officers, I would utterly fail to do justice. Presently along their lines appeared upon a "snow white steed," GOVERNOR JOHNSON, an elegant man about forty-five years old, six feet high, straight and majestic, with florid complexion and sandy hair. He was accompanied by his Aids all in the most expensive uniform. After reviewing the troops marquees and tents were pitched, and vast collation tables covered the ground. And while mirth and hilarity universally prevailed, at that very moment twenty thousand infuriated Mexicans were pressing upon the plains of Buena Vista, preparing to immolate the army of the brave TAYLOR!
And now, kind and indulgent reader, I will no longer obtrude upon your patience; these sketches are at an end. If they have afforded you any amus.e.m.e.nt, I am compensated.
THE END.