The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-06-19
VOL. TX.

stantial material. All the stones that are
here used for building, and all the best bricks,
are imported. noticed few stores which
were faced with our beautiful New England
granite, and BUT few.
The public buildings are generally of but
little interest to the Northerner. St. Charles
and St Louis Hotels are vast edi6ces, capa-
BILE of accommodating 500 or 600 persons
each; but their beautiful proportions and ex-
tensive structures fail to impress a stranger,
by reason of the unsubstantial and decaying
nature of the material of which they are
built,-brick plastered with Ecortar. This
stucco, which is very common about the city,
looks very neatly and prettily when first put
on; but soon becomes dingy, and cracks and
ty of the buildings. The cathedral, of which
so much is said, and whose style Of architect
ure would otherwise render it very attractive,
has rather the appearance of half ruined
structure, with its dirty face, broken windows
and battered corners,-than of the principal
church edifce in the city. The truth is,that
every thing in this climate tend to decay; and
this tendency superadded TO the nature of the
soil and the scarcity Of substantial building
material, forbids the hope that New Orleans
will ever be distinguished for the beauty of
its public or private buildings.
! Among the most interesting objects in New
Orleans are the provision and vegetable mar
kets, of which there are several. These are
held under and around large, open, shed-like
buildings; and early in in the morning are
scenes of the greatestanimation. Almostthe
whole population live by The day-from hand
to mouth. Such thing as private cellar TO
house is scarcely known IN the city. The
want of conveniences for keeping articles OF
food, and the nature of the climate, together
with the abundant supplies in market, induce
every body to buy by the day. Before break
fast the markets are crowded with men, wo-
men, and children with masters and servants
white, black and yellow; with English,
French, Spanish-yea with men of all nations
and tongues, all jabbering in the most energet-
ic manner. Such Babel my ears never be-
fore heard, nor did mine eyes behold.
But follow me, land l will show you the way
of the market little more fully. Here is the
master of family, Buying his daily supplies
a black servant, bearing capacious, open
! basket, adroitly balanced on her head, is in
attendance. Follow the good man to the
house, and watch his purchases. First piece
of beef is deposited in the basket; next, a few
pounds ofbacon for this is staple article
of food, aud is almost always found on the ia
ble,-then follow dozen or two oysters in
the. shells; few potatoes-both Irish and
sweet; pint of cracked corn-another favor
lite Southern dish; half pint of rice is put
in by its side; bunch of onions, and anoth-
er of radishes follow: few oranges and ban
mas complete the provision for the day; and
off steps the servantwiih the whole mass care
fully poised on her head; for blacks carry all
manner of burdens on their heads, even to
pals and tubs full of water.
The New Orleans market is probably ex-
coed by few, if any in the world. Every sort
of thing that man can wish TO eat, may here
be found exposed for sale; and in the small
est or largest quantities, as will best suit the
purchaser; with this single limitations
cents worlh'is never sold nor bought. have
seen but single cent in New Orleans; and
that took and passed again at the Post Ofhce
The smallest quantity in general Circulation
is 'picayune;' which is either 6 IA or cents
the next is bite 1-2 cents, or 10 cents
And here let me advise Yankee friend
bound South, to lay in good supply of five
or ten cent pieces; as he is subject to loss
of 20 cents on the Spanish fragments ofevery
dollar he expends; dime being generally
of the same value in this market, as a nine
pence, and a hal f-dime as foT-pen half pen,
mn.