The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-06-03

position on the boards Of the French opera
in this city. When he returns, in order to
exc out his slender salary and support his
wife and children who remain in the
French capital, he always carries out half
a dozen young alligators and as many
hooking birds to sell among the scientific
and the curious. His alligators have
brought him as high as hundred dollars
each, and his birds also always fetch a
price tenfold remunerative. He always
travels on shipboard as steward, for
which his skill as cook, his equanimity
and experience peculiarly adapt him.
Whenever his preparations are made, he
makes known his intention to one of our
largest ship brokers, who mentions the fact
among his seafaring acquaintance. His
value is so highly appreciated that ship
captains are always very anxious to SECURE
his services In this individual one sees
the economy and the worth of the French
man.
The st. Charles and the Varieties closed
a month ago. The ouly theaters now open
are the Academy and the Olympic. The
former is,in my opinion, the best place Of
amusement, except the Opera, in the South,
or, I dare say, in the West. There is an
amending variety in the performances,
which keeps the spectator interested from
beginning to end, and the performers are
nearly all possessed Of more than ordinary
merit. Austin and his wife, in the Zouave
drill, are wonderful. A man of medium
size, he whirls an ordinary Springfield
musket with fixed bayonet, around his
neck, under his arms and legs, and over
his fingers so swiftly that all one sees is a
constant flashing Of steel rotating with
amazing rapidity. His wife, a very hand
some and graceful woman, slight in form,
does almost the same feats, only without
her husbands strength Of muscle and long
practice. Among the dancers are Carnag-
gia and Malvina Evers; the one extraordi
nary for her grace and vigor as a premiere
danseuse and for her ugly face and her I'm
calmly walk on the street; the other with
limbs like an Amazon and form and stat
ure which would serve as model for Hip.
polyta OF Penthesilea. Old John Durivage.
who was on the stage thirty years ago, and
has some pretensions as a playwright, fur
nishes every week or SO o new satirical
farce concerning Congress, the Bureau, or
the State Convention. Some ofhishits are
excellent and as Johns knowledge Of YAM
kee character (himself Connecticut one
Of the purest ray serene) is very profound,
and he plays in the pieces himself, his effu-
sions are received with considerable APP
plause. Nevertheless, I don't like to see
bird befoul its own nest. The Academy is
the most successful Of all our theaters, and
richly deserves tie liberal patronage ex-
tended to it Winter and Summer.
The number Of railroad lines extending
from Canal street to the different extremi-
ties Of the city is increasing with surpris-
| ing rapidity. New Orleans is already away
ahead Of all other cities in this country in
the number, length and excellence Of its
city railroads. We shall soon have one
running from the Clay monument to the
Lake end Of the new Canal by the old Car
rolton high road. It is not hard to believe
that in ten or twelve years drays and carts
will be as rare as black swans outside Of
Australia. As for hacks and cabs their
day Of doom is much nearer. City cars are
great blessings, and afford this privilege
that man in moderate circumstances is
now able to purchase q country residence,
or at least a suburban one, be all evening
and night with his family, and at his bust
ness betimes in the morning. They will
also save us the necessity Of crowding into
close neighborhoods and building houses
six or seven stories high. You can rent a
house on the outskirts of town 80 or 40 per
cent. cheaper than one near the centre of
business, and can therefore indulge your
family and self ad libitum to five cent car
rides, enjoy health and exercise and coun-
try air, and at the end Of the month or year
find that your change Of residence has left
you in pocket a considerable amount over
what the city dwelling would have cost
you.
More next week and better. IS
SMELFUNGUS.
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