New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-04-14
Sketches from the South and West-so. I.
Correspondenee Of TIE Tribune.
NrH-OnrE 4

Corretportence o. Tie Tribune.
SEv-OnLEASs, March % Isss.
The great feature of NEw-ORLEASs 10 the Lerec
Extending for about FIVE miles in length, and Al
average Of two hundred feet in width on the ves,
bank Of tbs river, which here runs TO the north
east, it is made the great depot not only for the
products Of the vast country bordering on the Mis
sissippi, and It's nayigabe tributaries bot also Of
every foreign port, by means Of about FIVE hundred
steamboats, on the one hand, and every variety Of
sea craft On the other which are st all times 70 be
seen in great numbers along the entire length, dis
charging and receiving their csrsoes To the bust.
ness man tits OF most interesting scenes in the
world, and for the 4" calculating man here are
found the items from which estimate may be
formed Of the rapid growth and vast resources OF
the " Great West" Who but q " native can see
the approach Of a steamer laden with forty-sIx
hundred and odd bales Of cotton, aud witness casks
of sugar, nola,ses and tobacco by the thousand
together with the boxes and bales Of merchandise
from every cline which here accumulate, and not
wonder whence ell this is received and whittier
it is to got
After taking survey Of this srea, depot, and con
sidering the wonderful res Jurces Of New Orleans
as commercial emporium, we turn back upon the
town with if anything more surprise that IL should
be no more than IL 10. Fully aware that few
years have marked many changes for the better
yet not by any means have the improvements been
what the commercial advantages Of the place will
warrant; and TO the enterprise Of the Northerners
are these principally TO be attributed. The divis-
ion Of the city into three Municipalities, separating
the English from the French, and giving them
form Of city government better suited TO the age,
aud spirit Of improvement was the first great step
10 its progress. So welded the French to their
old habits that they allow no eDcroachnents IN the
shape of modern customs and therefore IN passing
through their part OF the town II IL bard TO imagine
ourself in American city. IL is here more par
ticulary that every thing bears the impress OF tIme
bnt not however much from age, as from the
effect Of climate the misersby constructed build
ings The old Cathedral with the Court House
and City Hall. facing the Place d Armes. have an
appearance which II Is hard 10 reconcile Is any
other than the effect Of many centuries, yet they
have all been finished within fifty years 10 many
instances one would suppose that the gratihcstion
of taste for the antique was sought for, but II so
the effect could hardly be considered impaired by
keeping the windows glazed.
The English part OF the Town or second Munich
patty contains but little 10 characterize from any
other Southern City. unless IL is an apparent want
OF permanence ia almost everyt thing The public
buildings and dwellings look as though they were
built but for the season even the famous ST.
Charles Hotel, which cost $500 900, has already a
dlapidsted Appearance. This is owing 70 the use
of stucco for outside finish on brick 70 initiate
marble, giving them after few years most
wretched effect The use OF this material. the most
destructive of any other Ia this climate tells much
Jr the character ofthe people it looks well for the
present, and for the future few care. the majority
hope u be away then, In some more congenial
cline enjoying the fortunes which they are now
making. The City Exchange 10 one Of the most
ornamental in It's architectural design, bat II has
shared alike the fate Of others. and is now In
most wretched condition, both inside and out al
thou gh II 10 said to be the pride OF the city, and
that it's Rotunda is one Of the handsomest in the
United States" Miserable, indeed, must be the
condition OF a town in which such building can
be considered as an ornament.
OF the Churches, the new one Just completed
for Rev Dr. Hawkes. is a very handsome build
ing and in good taste. according to the views OF
such as admire the modern style OF New-fork
houses Of worship.
St Patrick's Church is said to be triumph
worthy of the genius OF Gothic architecture, both
ia dimensions and splendor of structure. 1t is
built OF brick with a nigh sove., and wa designed
tn pc finished with stucco, which. however, has
never yet been put on. therefore the perfection OF
It's structure" may well be imagined, with the
exception of the " wood work, which covers some
holes" which the mssons left Much may be said
in praise of the public markets, which are hume
rous kept very clean and well stocked indeed, 1t
would convey but faint idea 10 say that every
thing marketable could be here found, for not only
everything, but every variety and quality OF the
same article is offered for sale. Small articles are
sold by The picayune or dimes worth and place full
Call for figs az grocers and he will send you 10 the
msrket-ssk for q pound, and you will not be IA
derstood, bat for dimes worth, and they arc In
your hands in trce. Sunday morning early is the
best time to visit them-every variety OF age, sta
ton. nation. climate and complexion are most per
fecty mingled in one great msss-al In motion and
happy smile on every countenance, seemingly
enjoying the prospect OF good dnner
There are a great number Of charitable lnstitu
tons probably more than in any other city in the
Union and / am told that they are so conducted as
to be worthy of the name and it is well that 1t is
so. for they are all needed.
No one should visit New-0reaDs without seeing
the Cemeteries one turns back again upon the
town better reconced to it, for, after observing
the population of the " Cites OF the dead, b,
cannot hope to remain in it long. Z. ID. u.
p S-The weather 10 delishttul-a refreshing
thunder shower yesterday, has LEFT the atmosphere
clear and cool. like June in NewYork.