The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-04-12

tween the two Americas, the central empori-
um of oil. advancing in population, manu-
features, commerce and greatness
We have spent very pleasant half month
in this city. Have visited the Lake, and
most Of the suburban localities. Have ~
tend ID some OF the churches, where we saw
large congregations and heard good preach
ing. We have also seen most of the curios-
tiles. Amongst other things, were aboard a
large ship just arrived from the Crimea,
through and about which we were politely
shown by the hospitable sailors. There are
now at this port 1873 ocean vessels. We
have visited the new custom house, not yet
completed, upon which between FIVE and SIX
millions of dollars have been expended, and
which will be the largest building in the
United States except the capitol at Washing
ton. Also, the public and high schools, the
prisons, Work House, and House of Refuge,
the Mint, Charity Hospital-cne of the lnrg-
est charities in the world-Gas Works, Wa
LET w uEA5, &C. OI dll LucoS buDJcCls udQ
intended to make some remarks, but this let
ter is already too long, and | must forego
the intention, and conclude with few re-
marks upon the cemeteries, which although
not deliberately planned and tastefully em
bellished, as are those at Mt. Auburn, Green
wood and Laurel Kill, possess many points
Of interest to a visitor. They are unlike
those of any other city in the United States.
In consequence Of the impossibility Of dig
cling in the earth without coming to water at
six inches or two feet below the surface of
the ground, very few bodies are buried in
the earth within the thickly settled portions
of the city; all the vaults are built upon the
surface, chiefly of brick. There are three
principal styles of constructing tombs, which
differ as they are designed for single, family,
or society vaults. The old cemeteries Of the
city are all very much crowded with tombs
and monuments, leaving but little space for
walks or shrubbery. The new cemeteries are
about four miles from the centre Of the city,
on the Metairie ridge, and are arranged in
accordance with modern style.
There is scarcely any place amidst all the
resorts Of this great city to which stranger
may go, that excitss more Understanding
choly interest it is true-than those resting
places of the dead. This is particularly true
of the French and Catholic cemeteries, where
peculiar and tender affection seems to BE-
manifested toward the departed. The abun-
dance of crosses, frail wooden ratings, and
decorations; the numerous images Of kneel-
ing saints, in plaster of Paris, some of them
half washed away by rains, and with abun-
dance of broken arms, legs and noses
wreaths of black, blue and pink immortelles,
made Of glazed paper, hung about the tombs
vases, large and small, and glasses full OF
natural and artificial flowers in all stages Of
perfection, from the freshest natural boquets
down to the poor rain washed white-satin
rose, spattered with mud and sadly neglect
ed fancy bugle and bead work, little med
ais Of metal and Autograph, and even large
photographic pictures Of saints and virgin in
mahogany frames covered with glass-all
prove, that whilst wealth and luxury and
| giddy pleasure cannot eface the remem-
brance and affection for the ''loved and lost"
neither can the pangs of misfortune and pow
erty blot out those aspirings of heavsnly re
union, and associations which dwell in the
immortal tenement Of man. 1t shows that
whatever may be the artificial conditions thai
man imposes upon himself, the impress Of
the Deity has inspired similar principle OF
intelligence and affection among all nations
and that although wealth may raise marble
monuments and bronze statues to the dead
and cover them with momentoes of silver
and gold, there is also, in the paper immor-
telles and humble offerings of the poor, am
pie evidence that
| There is tear for all who die,
mourner Ter the humbest grave"