The Nevada Democrat., 1862-06-26
The city of New Orleans,

The following sketch of the city of New
Orleans is interesting at the preseut mo-
ment:
The city (Which had a population OF l74,-
488 by the last census, including l4,479
slaves,) is the emPoriHm OF the Mississippi
Valley, and is situated on the left bank OF
the river, about one hundred miles from its
1n0ath. The older portion of the city is
built on the convex side of bend of the
river, which here sweeps around in a north.
cast and southeast course. From this loca.
tion it derives its familiar soubriqHet Of the
Crescent City" In the progress OF its
growth up stream, the city has nOw so ex
teuded itself as to Hll the hollow Of a curve
in the opposite direction, so that tue river
trout presents an outline somewhat resem-
hing tie letter S. II stretches along the
bank of the river some six or seven miles,
with all average depth Of one mile, 1t only
being possible 10 build on the edge of the
river, the highest point being n front, and
then rapidly sinking 10 the rear until lost
ia interminablea aawHlnps
In the rear OF New Orleans, . half mile.
perhaps, beyond the subOrbs, Ia the Metarie
ridge, narrow strip Of high land two or
three feet above high water mark. OF an sv-
crage of half mile in width; then you
come again TO the swamp which continues
10 the shores Of the lake beyond, almost as
deuse as any in the surrounding valley,
gloomy and peculiar and Wninhabited, ex'
cept by alligatOrs and bitteurs. The front
of New Orleans is ot course on the river,
and from the peculisrity Of the country,
and the levee which serves to protect the
city from being OverAowed by the spring
rise, the Federal feet, when it reached the
city, must have been above the ground on
which the city is Luilt, and commanded 1t
as from an eminence. This circumstance,
with the fact that the breaking OF the levee
by a cannOn-shOt, or few minutes work
with the spade would submerge the whole
place, makes New Orleans, with its defence
less rear, the weakest and least protected
place Of any COmmeI clal Importance in the
world.
The most important railroads terminating
ut New Orleans are The New Orleans, jack
son and Great Northern, which. until lately,
united 1t with the great railroad systems Of
the eastern and northern States, and the
New Orleans. Opelousas and Great Western
extending westwardly short distance into
Texas. The great avenue, however, Of the
trade and commerce of the city Is the Mis-
sissippi river. Along the river front Of the
city the levee, or artifcirl embankment to
keep the city from inundatiOn, is extended
by . continued series of wooden wharfs. A
sort of eRplanads is thus formed, several
miles In extent, which, during the busy sea.
son, presents a scene of wonderful variety
aud animation. Cotton bales, sugar hogs
heads. negroes and mule-drays are 10 great
abundance.
Among the notable buildings are the
branch mint of the United States-which
the Confederates seized a year ago-lhe
Custom House, one of the most massive
structures 10 America, but not yet compile.
ted, the Cathedral of ST. Louis, aud sixty
other churches the st. Charles Hotel, which
cost $500, 900; the hospital, banks, bnevO-
lent institutions aud four theatres. On Jack
con square is bronze equestrian statute Of
Gen. Jackson, by Clark Mills.
The population Of New Orleans has long
been remarkable for the diversity of its el.
ements. About one.haf of the whites are
Of foreign birth, and among these the
French and Spanish are predominant. There
is also large number OF nOrtherners.