Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-07-10
where else the land islow, wet ami swanpy

where else the land is low, wet n'swanpy
and of course, but very little cultivated.
Wherever have been my dear II =,
have never seen place surrounded with
such a gloomy, sickly prospect.
Continuing my description Of New-Or-
leans, now come to that part of the SUBJ
ject which know will be disagreesble to
you, because your feelings and imagination
must necessarily he excited and disgusted
at the relation of so much vice and dissipa-
tom -scenes which you are entirely unac-
quaintsd with-and which are always pam
tul TO the feelings of virtue. Take man
from New England, which is so emphati-
cally, though rather sarcas'icalIy called,
by the people of the south, the land OF
"steady habits" who has been taught
from the cradle of his infancy the sacred
obligations imposed upon him by the die
tates of morality and virtue, around whose
heart and memory are twined thousand
fondly recollected scenes OF his youth
transport him Immediately to the city OF
New Orleans, and sit him down amidst
the polluted haunts of vice and dissipation,
which are not only suffered to exist there,
but where they are in fact cnuntenanced
and tolerated by those whose duty il should
he to suppress them-and what must be
his sensations he would Of course be com
pletely knocked Oh the head With asto-
nishment." Incredible as it may appear
to you, was told by gentleman VINO has
resided there several years, and whose m
formation and correctness could be relied
upon, that there are no less thai three hun.
dred gambling houses in the city, which
are not kept private at all, but are as open
and public as monday, 10 every body who
chooses to visit them. And what renders
the fact more outrageously di>graceful than
any thing else. these same gambling houses
are licensed by the corporation Of The city,
to whom they pay an aggregate tax OF a
bout $4,000 dollars annually-hcre You :
will see crowds OF people, piles OF money, /,
faro banks, wheels of fortune, roulettes,
and every species of gambling going on
ever day in the week. What would some
of the good people of your village thirk,
who are ready to cry out against man II
he is seen walking the streets on Sunday,
were they to see that sacred day thus un.
hallowedy Outraged and abused. And yet
in New Orleans it is thought nothing Of
viewed by most people merel y as a matter
of course. The demoraizirg consequent
ces resulting from such practice, sanction ,
ed and encouraged as It is by the corpora
ton of the city, you can very well appre- !;
ciate.
Cold and wretched indeed mus! the heart
of that man be. who can behold with in
difference, virtue, religion, morality, So !
ciety, and every thing else calculated to
exalt the nature and dignity of man, thus
publicly trampled upon and abused.-.
Those gambling houses are trequented
more or less by all classes OF people
Some 60 there entirely out of curiosity,
while others go TO win money, who per-
haps lose every cent they have in the world.
The consequence is, they become idle and
dissipated, which ultimately ruins and des-
,roys them. But | am not now gong 10
give you moraIizing dissertation upon the
practice of gambIing-my design was sim.
ply to represent TO you to what extent IT'S
carried and tolerated in New Oriea"s.--
But must stop here-Iny candle Is leav'
ING me. and IL O'Clock is too late all hour
to light another Good night my dear II.
You will hear from me again N few lays.
*x*x********k
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u l.t EUau;uuaS Mail.