The Madisonian. (Canton, Miss.) 1850-1855, 1850-09-19
New Orleans Thirty Years Ago
ADVENTURES OF A BRITISH oFFIoER.

"Nota Bene," in his last letter TO the
ConcOrdia Intelhgencer, quotes a par
agraph from the Boston Transcript a.
bout gentleman who once narrowly es-
capped premature burial in this oity
during the yellow fever season, and
then proceeds to tell the following sto>
ry.
This reminds me Of an incident that
transpired few weeks ago. Having
dined at the Planters first rate FAM
lily hotel, kept by Murray; formely of
the Matches Mansion House, and re-
paired OF the balcony everhanging Ca
nal streetto enjoy the sea breeze, l fell
into conversation with gentleman reg
istered on the books as Major H*#***t,
late of the british army. Like all O.
theirs of his class he had seen much of
the world aud vas courteous and com
municatlve. He had servedln India; in
the Penirsula,in Belgium, subsequently
was an aidde>camp to Bolivar.
More than thirty years ago, said he
] was at this hotel, then known as
Beals. 1t was in september, and the
yellow fever was prevailing; but as |
had longbeen quartered in the tropics,
l felt no apprehensions My Wis a, Wis
at dinner was Mr. Cameron, young
Scotchman In the prime of life, COM
mercial agent of Glasgow house. For
three days wedinod and spent our eve.
nings together. On the fourth he did
not appear. While slipping my sherry
after dinner ] sent for the landlord, aud
inquired for Mr.. c.,
Major, said he, your friend will new
er dine with you again, but whenever
you please to | will conduct you to
him."
Struck with these words which though
uttered with a polite nonchalance, had
something ominous in them, rose
from the table and in silence followed
Mr. Beale. He threw open small
parlor, and there lay my yonng friend
with whom | had parted at two O'Clock
the previous evening dead! Sir | have
had my comrades all cut down by cpi
rassier at my elbow. | have seen whole
battalions swept away by artillery:
have seen storming party torn into
fragments by the explosion Of mine;
have seen brave men sink at sea ano
hundreds perish in hospitals by the
wasting ravages of wounds and disease
but never have ! been so shocked auC
appalled, as by the llvid corpse Of tina
young Scotchman! He had been seiz'
ed with fever Immediately after leaving
my room, and expired at daylight AM
so little impression had it made, and, 81
much was such death within the eve
ry day line of incidents, 1t had not dis
turbed the business Of the house, no
had the landlord, who knew our init
macy, nor the waiter, who attended II
at table. and served,u us with champagne
the evening previous, thought it OF suf
ficent importance to name ito me-
In those days,in New Orleans, residen
gentlemen never appeared at breaklas
They took their coffee with cher ami
but if they were absent at dinner, yoI
might, without further enquiry, appl
for letters Of administration on thei
ese eAtes! My poor friend was alread
In his coffin, and even in my grief
could not avoid noticing its Celebrate,
finished, solid mahogany, trimmed wit
velvet, with silver plate, his name an
escutcheon beautifully engraved. | ex
: pressed my surprise that these cOul
be procured when the subject had onl
been dead few hours.
Major. said Mr. Beale, that is easll
explained. We have an undertake
attached to this house. Cameron
coffin has been ready twelve months.
What, sir, had he presentiment q
deathl
No Major not at all. But in tn
city the march of disease is RAPID; OF
fevers kill in few hours; mortifcatio
Immediately ensues, and it is the ru
= of my house, from July to October,
measure every man for his coffin u
moment he registers his name. In
chances are ten TO one he will be dea
in fornightl"
AS | looked incredulously at th
D statement, Mr.. Beale continued. pc
Ceive you do not credit this, Major, b
follow me, lfyou please, and you shs
3 be convinced.
He led the way to the attic OF II
u house, and there, ranged around in grl
We array, stood sixty cofins Of diftere
finish and dimensions, one for ea'
boarder with my own conspicuous
. mong them, my name aud coat OF arm
blazoned upon it!
Major. said the landlord, yourgmea
Of ure was taken the moment Of your a
y, rival. Yop announced your intentl'
Ills TO stay three months, and While reg
est - Vul