The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1849-06-09
THE CREVASSE.

THE CREVASSE.
The following, from the New Orleans Bee OF
2sth ult, gives more full account OF the ncon
veniences experienced by the inhabitants, than
we have before met with:
| slew persons who have not taken the trouble
personally to inspect the condition of the inunda-
ted districts can form an adequate idea OF the Sc
| rous evils, Inconvenience and losses sustained
by the residents. Those who simply row along
| The submerged streets md view the houses sur
| rounded by water from one to five feet in depth,
are scarcely aware of the immediate consequent
ces that result from this sad calamity. The first
| and most obvious inconvenience arises from the
extreme difficulty OF intercommunicaon. The
inhabitants can get along toefaby well in boats,
but unless at an expense insupportabe to the
poor, it is impossible for servants to repair regu-
| larly to market People in that quarter are com.
! PEELED to live as it were from hand to mouth up
on eggs, sailed meats and fish, and such provs.
ions as may be kept without spelling. The ladies
in the submerged district, unless disposed TO en-
counter the risk OF destroying or dirtying their
dresses in boats, must content themselves with
being penned at home.
| These, however, are comparatively minor
troubles, and might be patiently endured, were
they unaccompanied by more serious ones. The
water for the last week has been steadily though
slowly rising, ana in its progress has invaded the
yards of most OF the residents in the back part of
the city, lying in many Of them to the depth of a
foot or eighteen ches. There is little motion in
the sluggish mass, and it soon becomes stagnant,
its surface mantled with slime and filth, emitting
a noisome and disgusting odor. The all penetra.
ting OF the element has enabled it to force its way
into the ctOdce, and these receptacles have, in
some instances bursted and scattered their infec-
tious contents IN all directions While in others
the water becomes thoroughly impregnated
with teculent matter, and sends forth horrible
STENCIL
In the meantime, the yards being submerged
and the water gradually encroaching upon the
interior OF the dwellings, all domestic employ.
nent IS suspended or very impertectly perform
ed. Cooking can hardly he got through with, as
well III consequence OF inundated Kitchens as on
account OF the extreme difficulty OF procuring
wood 1t is absolutely dangerous, too, for serv :
ants to move about the yards, unless their limbs
are protected by caoutchouc overalls, since nox
ious reptiles abound and venomous snakes are
frequently seen glancing among the waters
| Happy those residents who live in two story
houses They can, at all events, confine them.
selves to the upper part OF their dwellings, occu-
Ply single floor and manage to perform their do
mestic avocations alter fashion, unmolested by
tie flood
That such condition of things must be emf
nently pernicious to health needs no elaborate
argument TO prove, The atmosphere is constant,
ly charged with moisture the hot rays of the
sun &C ing upon the decaying vegetation which
encrusts the water in the submerged yards must
be prolific OF pestllental malaria. The vile odors
which assail the nostrils and which proceed from
the causes adverted to above, must aid in gener-
ating an atmosphere altogether incompatible with
healthy existence.
1t may be asked why the people living in these
districts do not move.- The question is shallow
one. Where are ten thousand people TO find I'M
occupied houses on dry ground and granting
that they could be found how are the humber
classes to transport their effects through the tor
rent, when the price of removing every cartful
OF furniture is quinupled' We know OF one
family who were fortunate enough to discover a
vacant tenement in Camp street and to move
thilher; and although at the time the water had
not reached half its height, the expense of reno
val was absolutely frightful. All have left the
inundated districts who could possibly afford to
do so, and who were enabled to find suitable res
licences elsewhere. But thousands vet remain,
to struggle fruitessly against the advancing ee-
ment, and submit with whatever patience NAV
be gathered from helplessness, TO calamties,
privatons, and sufferngs brought upon them by
no agency OF their own,