The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-11-10
LETTER FROM NEW ORLEANS
NEw ORLEANS, Nov. 4th, 1869

the first of this month is known in the
Catholic church, was one of the most
balmy and pleasant days. of the season;
the sun was bright without being too
warm, and the sky was a clear blue,
with here and there banks of white
clouds, of dazzling purity, laying
peacefully on the distant horizon. The
custom of decorating the graves of de-
ceased friends comes to us through
long ages of the past, and although a
custom originally Catholic, it is now
generally observed by all classes of
our citizens, every one displaying. all
the taste possible, in the selection and
arranging of the ornaments used.
THE ST. LOUIS CEMETERIES.
Number one is on Basin street, be-
tween Cont and st. Louis street and
is the Oldest burying ground in the
city. Here rest from their labors many
of the first settlers of our State, the old
time cavaliers and gentlemen who
come here to seek adventure or escape
some political oppression in their Euro
pean homes. The most attractive OBJ
jects here are the tonbs Of the italian
and Portuguese societies, both adorn-
ed with the banners of their respective
societies. Numbers two, three and
four face on Claiborne street, between
st. Louis, Cont, Bienville and Gus
tomhouse streets. In the first two, the
leading families of the city deposited
their dead and the slabs bear many
names familiar in the history of our
city and State. The monument of
Francis Xavier Martin, one of our
most distinguished jurists, the ceno-
taph of Milne, the Orphans friend, the
tombs of the Cazadores of Orleans, and
of the Sisters of Charity, are among the
most attractive objects in their grave
yards. The centre avenue, or aisle, in
number three is lined with beautiful
structures raised to the memory of the
dead of some Of our most wealthy cit
izens-the elegant marble gothic tomb
of j. NJ. Cabellero, that of Samuel Stew
art, young Barrellis' tomb bearing a
representation of the explosion of the
steamboat Louisiana, andI several 9TH
ers are situated on this aisle. Number
four has always been used by colored
people and is kept in the most perfect
order, with many handsome ornaments.
Here there are several society tombs
that make fine appearance.
WASHINGTON CEMETERY NO. l
or the old Lafayette, as it is some
times called, is on Washington street
between Prytania and Colesium-Here
are the family tombs of Rice Brothers,
Samuel J. Peters, Geo. G. Gardner and
others. That of F. Van. Benthuysen
deserves special mention, being rich
and tasty, of white marble, surround
ed with beds of violets and other flow
ers. A very pleasing style of tomb
may be seen here, being mound, GOV
cred with welltrimmed luxuriant grass
and marble front bearing the in
scription-The tomb of J. Darcy con-
structed in this style attracted much
attention.
REMARKS.
1t would be impossible in the space
of a letter to mention half of the OBJ
jects of interests that meet the eye
when visiting these Settles of the dead"
on day like this. All of the ceme-
teries were visited by living friends
and decorations were everywhere
present. These were mostly wreathes
of evergreen, boquets of chrysantha-
NUNS, dallas, roses and violets be-
sides which there were crosses, immor-
telles, pictures, vases and every article
that the means or fancy of friends
could provide. The grave yards and
the streets near them were thronged
all day with immense crowds of peo-
pie, thousands were going and COM
ing all the time, and in this concourse
made up persons Of all stations per-
feet order and harmony ruled. When
ever mourner was seen near tomb,
"a feeling of sympathy and respect,
seemed to fill visitors and they were
left to their silent grief, undisturbed
by prying curiosity. 1t was rich
harvest too for our city rail roads, the
people passing from one sacred spot
to another filed the cars, and there
was often no standing room left.
Taken altogether it was one of the
most complete holidays we have ever
witnessed and the spirit of the occa-
sion seemed to pervade the people in
every part of the city.
| BUSINESS
has been very dull throughout the
city for the past ten days, the activity
that marked the early part of October
having completely vanished. The
money market has not been more
stringent in years than it is at the
present time. This partly accounted
| for by the fact that immense sums have
been sent into the country to pay of
hands and buy cotton and when this
money finds its way back, as the great
er portion of it must, times will i'm
prove. It is pleasant at present to find
a merchant who has "nothing to com