Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1805-09-11

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siderable of which are near the RIVER; the
next in Importance are the tw9 TO the back
of fhe Town. one of which leads to lake Pon-
CHAIRMAN: these last are defended by a
.mall breast work, which, however, is
mere apology for a defence. The gates are
Of wood. and formed of palisades about
ten or twelve feet high. They are shut e.
very night at nine O'Clock, after winch time
/, thew are not opened without much dltleul-
CIV: and at this hour it is ordered that no
one Is 20 be seen about the streets, unless
permission of the governor; though, ex.
cept in the case of negroes and servants
the hour is generally extended to eieven'
after which simeall persons seen about the
streets are stopped BY the guard, and de-
tanned till morning.
The Mississippi, being subject to an an
nual overflow, like the Nile, IS kept with
in its proper bed by a mound OF earth
thrown up along shore; this is called the
Lepee. and varies in height according to
the surface of the adjoining country from
two TO three aad even four feet. IL COM
, mences at Doctor des Anglois, eighteen
miles below New. Orleans, and is carried a..
long the river as far as the German settle
ments, more than thirty miles above, max
ING in the whole about fifty miles. Ibis
bank is of considerable width In some pla-
ces. so far as to form handsome broad
walk, and is keptup by the owners OF the
adjoining plantations, who are ausweraoie
; for any damage sustained by the breaking
down of the bank, if through their neglect.
As all this country is very low and fat, and
consequently liable to be overlooked, these
| leyees are often cootinued round the whole
plantation :; SO that the inundation, the
surface of the surrounding water is consi.
derably above the bed within it. This wa:
the case when was in New.Orleans, and
the whole of the city was considerably be.
| low the level of the rivers furtace. The
leevee, which forms the boundary here, Is
handsome raised gravel walk, planted
| with orange trees, and serves as a place OF
/ fashionable resort on summers evening.
! have often enjoyed this promenade, adj
miring the serenity Of the climate, and the
majestic appearance of this noble river,
which seemed to roll along IN silent dignity
at our feet, inattentive to the busy scene
that was passing on its shores.
| The houses are mostly of wood a1ft arz
saroUu aboul seven or eight feet from h
earth, to make room for the cellars " aich
are on level with the ground for no
building can be carried below its surface,
on account Of the height of the surround
ing water. The upper part is sometimes
furnished with an open gallery, which sur.
rounds the building. a practice very COM
mon in warm countries.
In all societies where number of people
from different countries have met together,
every one will naturally persevere in those
habits to which he has been accustomed
in his own country, and altho' permiscu~
Gus intercourse may induce many men to
relax little, yet it will BE- long before they
form general character. The residents
here are, English, Irish, Scotcs, American,
French and Spanish; and though the four
former constitute by far the greatest body OF
| the people, vet the two latter form distinct
division, of which the Spanish is the least
considerable. The characteristics of these
nations are nearly the same as in the mo-
Their country, though somewha, altered BY
that natural progress of assimilation alrea.
! dy limited at.
] The climate too may have some inhn-
ence, and induce them to make some litte
| deviation from usage, for the sake of ease &
comfort, among the most baneful effects Of
! which we may reckon the unconquerabe
/ disposition towards idleness SO prevalent
/ In warm countries. Nevertheless ,hey are
neat and Clearly in their houses and turni-
ture, which however is a virtue of necessi.
/ ~ rather than of inclination.
There is but one printing-press in this
city, and that is for the use OF the govern
meut only. The Spaniards are toe jealous
to suffer the inhabitants 10 have the free