Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1843-04-08
SUNDAY IN NEW ORLEANS.

on Sunday.
SUNDAY IN NEW ORLEANS.
To those who are not acquainted with
the manners and customs of this great EN-.
porium' of the Mississippi valley, and the
metropolis of the South, short sketch of
the manner of spending the Sabbath. and
the different amusements opened to the as
sembled thousands, which may be seen
here from every part of the world, may
not be undressing. have not INDUCED
in those excuses which young men might
be tempted to enter into for many years;
but occasionally look on as an observer of
the follies of the world-in proof Of
which l have long been called moral
man.
A few Sundays ago / agreed to spend
the day with young friend, and rose early
in the morning and took warm bath
went TO my barber and got shaved and hair
dressed. and read the morning papers; for
you must know that several of them are
issued here on Sunday morning. At
O'Clock sat down to a substantial breakfast
of broiled meats, fish, turtle, steak, with
green salads, fruit and wine. had forgot
TO mention, however, that while dressing at
the bath we were served with excellent
coffee by very pretty brunette. This is
a French custom, and / think very good
one. Atll went to Parson Capp's church,
which was very much crowded.; in fact
this edifice fills up at least half an hour
before the hour for preaching 10 begin, and
it frequently happens there is not an empty
seat 10 be had, and the aisles are full to the
very steps of the pulpit. He is very
eloquent and popular preacher, and little
eccentric in his manners. / must here re-
mark that this is a church-going city, and
that the houses Of public worship are well
filled on Sunday morning. There is less
vice here than in any of the large North
ern cities, although we are looked upon by
the .Puritans of the East. as worse than
heathens. Here, every thing is thrown
open, while there it is all cloaked over and
done behind the screen.
We were much pleased with the sermon,
or as it might more properly be termed, an
intellectual moral lecture. The congrega-
ton was very attentive, and with the ex-
ception Of the distant roll of drum at
tached to regiment marching to their pa
rade ground, all was quiet. They have q
well regulated milatia here, which always
turn out for regimenlal and company ex-
ercise on Sundays. At the closing of the
ceremonies in the Church, at one o'clock,
we retired to the st. Charles Exchange,
where large concourse of people meet
every day, and after partaking of some
refreshments we went to our rooms to
prepare for dinner, which comes on at three
o'clock on Sunday. The afternoon of
this day is always devoted to pastime and
pleasure, and we rose early from the table
| with a view of witnessing the cock fight
at half past o'clock.
Precisely at the hour, the pit was thrown
open, and two favorite birds were pitted.
Bets ran high on a red cock with black
tips upon his wings, who it appeared, had
gained several prizes, and had come off
conqueror in several well contested bat
ties. He was matched by rather dull
looking fowl with yellow main and dark
tips, and bets could only be got out of his
hackers, who seemed confident of his sue.
cess. They were at length loosed, when
the work commenced. The very first blow
laid the red cock dead in the ring, while
the whole place rang with shouts for the
victor The sport was continued some
time with single birds, and then again by
lighting main, until we were tired and
disguised with the cruel amusement.
IL was too early for the Theatre; we
therefore dropped into Banks Arcade a
little after 6, where wing meeting had
5een called for the purpose of appointing
vigilance committees to attend the polls, on
account of an important election for May
or, which was to take place next day.
Several exciting speeches were made, and
the whole matter was conducted with de-