The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-01-09
LETTER FROM PEL1CA1y.
DoNAI.RH loNyn1r. La l

L,
To the Editors OF Morning Star.
Bonne aimee is the greeting of vour oo
pondent on this first day of the nc W. born reas
yea, not only happy new yearp os AT
saxon greets his friends, but as our Creois
population better express it in the lupononoOnes
the Norman, in their pleasant reuBions "
to-day, n; good year to You and yours! VI
Yesterday, '69, confident, it were of
having run its course according to the viii ~
the Great Director, bid us adien in sunsbio
but as the shades of night settled mon ~
earth, clouds overspread the heavens and old
Father Time ushered in the new wear in teo onu
Everything without now is wet, while A.
wind sings a,sad refrain, but, as the tears NJ
childhood are quickly dried, we will hone for
a beautiful morrow. ~
\ As am not aware of any ones having toId
your many readers anything about the town ~
D0NaidsonViiie. where your Pelican has percbed
for the time being, will give it " brief men
ton"
Donaldsonville is thrifty little tow, &c
some three>th cusand Inhabitants, situated IN
the right bank of the river Mississippi inst
below the Bayou Latourche-an outlet of the
Godfather of waters" and through which there
is good steamboat Navigation into a rich we'll
settled section of country nearly the whole
year. IA
This place was the centre of a wealthy and
refined community previous to the war, but
having incurred the wrath OF the powers that
were in the summer of '62, it\ was determined
to teach it alesson not in anyN0f the books of
its good, quiet people, and accordingly por-
| ton of Admiral Farragut's feet appeared before
the town. and, with, little if any parley, pro.
|, ceeded to lombard it. This not causing de-
structiou enough detachment of nSsripes
were sent ashore to apply the torch, which they
! did well, if/not gallantly, destroying fuhy
! three fourtIis, if not more, of the place. in,
| Guiding the public buildings house etc
| The Catholic church and orphan asylum, being
! located somewhat distant from the business
! part/of the town, escaped 'uninpaired. Since
| thu war good deal of business has been done
! kere and much of the town rebuilt, but the
/blackcned walls and charred debris still mark
the site of many once happy homes, whose
owners -have disappeared from the pleasant
social circle they once pleasantly filed. -
The church here is a brick building of about
e65 by 13O feet the inSiAo''of which is plainly
/ finished but scantily furnished, while the out
side il iucouplete-thc towers, two in humber
being built M only as high as the roof-and
the whole showing need Of repair. Rev.
Father Audrieu, (assisted by Rev. Father
| Aqunruni.( has charge of the parish and has
undoubtedly plenty to do to minister to the
wants of the large congregation contided to
/ his charge.
The orphan asylum is in charge of the Sisters
of Charity, with, believe, Sister Austin as
Superioress, who,- besides attending to the
wants of number of orphans. have charge of
n very good girls school. There is IN this
place no Catholic school for boys n thing
! evidently much needed.
Christmas had the pleasure of spending at
PlaQuemine, with tho folks at home" and am
happy tu add it was pleasantly and merriy
passed there. At midnight rhe bells Of st.
Mass, which, notwithstanding the cold and
threatening weather, was well attended, peo-
Pile having come four and five miles from the
, | country to be present at this first greeting OF
, their newborn King. The church was beauti-
fully dccoratedand the music COED, which con
. tributed largely to the pleasure OF the happy
,J-occasion, but the most pleasing feature toyouI
! Correspondent was the chanting Immediately
after Mass, by the CHOIR, of the beautiful
hyiuu, Gloria in Ercclyjs. The sound of thT
I.,..Ss,. ,"Ive uiNinc,' in harmony wutIInusic
: is truly beautiful, but, when raised alone
. clear, sweet, rich and mellow, at midnight
hour, in praise of Him who came to bring
2 peace To men, it produces in the soul emotions
of delight and rapture which words fail t.
express. The Masses at seven and ten O'Clock
= were we'll attended, while crowds gathered
around their good pastor, Father d'lIelnecourt
to wish him merry, merry Christmas" q
: tribute well deserved. PELICAN.
Sunday, Jan, ID. The sun shines clearly
hut oh how cold The water everywhere is
covered with ice. = P.