New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1860-09-03
la ST. nmge Eplstle. !.

Ed. G-eSceat-Suppose the present manuscripts
to have been unfortunately mutliated, through
some such accidents OF instrumentaiity o. nefsIe
the Irishman who tried to spear salmon with his
scythe handle-he didn't hurt the salmon, but in
some way which he could never account for, MS
own head dropped off his shoulders into the water
suppose, then, that by some accident this epistle
may have lost its head, that will readily account
for the want of a date. Egad like the idea, and
am disposed hereafter TO begin all my letters this
way that is, to have no beginning at all, Tor that
is the hardest part of letter to write.
Well, then, to say that it was q tremendous
blow, would be telling tale more than fort
night old-the blow the 1rishman got is . story as
old as Joe Miller, it will be perceived that do
not allnde to that but to the storm, and hut for
that same embarrassment about beginning letter,
| should have sent you an account Oh our snare IN
it long ago. Our share in it was general smash
among wharves, lighthouses and sail boats. au
along shore besides which we did think VIC had
lost the nice little boat that serves for packet
between our shore and the city but she was only
ashore, and after due examination it was prononhe-
ed by competent judges that she could be get OIL,
repaired and set ahoat again as regular as tea
pot in two weeks. That has been done.
Meanwhile, it was our good fortune that not fhr
off in a snug harhor whittier steamboats, repair
during the summer months for want of something
to do, after the fashion of our men OF business
who go TO Point Clear or Pascagoula at the same
season for like reason, lay Capt. Gid. Massey's
steamer Gray Cloud, which last winter for med one
| of the connecting links between your city and
| ours. His and her services were forthwith en-
bred Of us took particular pleasure in certifying
| the last morning trip we made upon the boat
| But the last night Of the engagement deserve
| special notice. The moon having. announf
| sometime previous, that she would shine
night, scientific expedition was gotten
Point Clear for the purpose of witnessing the
nomenon, and about O'clock the steamer 81
from the village, taking up Populations at
different landings so far as Montrose. She
all Montrose except the wharf, and when slls.s.--
that place her deck was peopled with such radiant
loneliness Q don't quite like the way have fixed
that up) that in the brightness of its beams cur
sdpdns forgot to make any observation OF the
moon which we went to see, and it is now mat
ter OF doubt with them whether she was shining or
not. The deck was cleared for dancing,
which continued until the musicians laid aside their
lighter instruments for those of sounding brass and
noisy parchment whereHith to pay respects TO
our friends at Battles wharf Here small addi-
ton was made to our precious freight and cir
cumbendbus was effected to the south wharf OF
Point Clear, where the boat lay long enough to
give the ladies an opportunity for an agreeable
promenade under the long yernndahs of the hotel.
But they didn't do it. I'm afraid the gentlemen
forgot to propose it to them.
On the way back the queernesses of the trip
commenced, but as moonlight is not favorable for
taking notes, am unable to furnish report OF
the speech at Battles wharf consisting of apollo
gies to all parties the ladies especially for what
the orator had or had not said and done. Before
this was over gallant band of four. finding that
their glasses did not enable them to see the moon,
resolved to distinguish themselves by an expedl--
ton in search of the smoke pipe, which had unac-
/ countably disappeared from their view. Lest they
| should lose each other in the crowd, they jn-
diciously possessed themselves of the drums which
| had been deposited in the after cabin, and to the
sound of what was intended to be ssDixieh made
4 their way in the most determined manner through
two sets of dances until they arrived at object
| which, after grave examination, they found to be
the forward railing Following this round the
| pilot-house, they presently came upon two other
sets of dancers, marveousy resembling those they
had encountered before. These gave place to
them, and after proceeding q little further they
reached doorway through which they discovered
another scientific expedition advancing to meet
them. The interposition OF table alone prevented
them frem marching through a large mirror, and
the next thing they arrived at was the conclusion
that the smoke-pipe was gone, and that the boat
had turned round. About this time, in effect, the
boat did turn round, the brass band sounded fare
well, dancing was resumed and continued, but
with successive dimnutions of the company en-
gagged in it, until at the astlanding deck and cabin
were deserted, except by select few who objected
seriously to walking up very narrow wharf by
moonlight.
So much, and hope it is not too much for The
episode OF the Gray Cloud, respecting whom the
wish was unanimous that she might prove to her
worthy commander cloud with silver lining. Al
another time, if can find the beginning of my
epistle, may send you an account of some OF our
doings along shore. Yours,