The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1872-01-10
Specisl Correspondence.
New ORLEANS. Dec. 1s. 1871

"" "oio hoI ldNOTdDlY impressed
with the Crescent City by the hasty
and imperfect glance which the first
few days residence here afforded.
But more thorough acquaintance
with the manners and customs of the
town, which a three weeks soiourn
has established, places it in a moro
flattering fght New Orleans is so
widely different from any other city,
the customs and usages so totally at
variance with those to which an cas-.
tern or western man has been accuse
toned, and the general aspect of the
city presents marked contrast to that
of any other, that ore quite imagines
himself in foreighn land, and at the
outset is subject to some discomfort
If not downright annoyance, in con-
forming to the new order of things for
the people here live, eat. drink, and
do business in way peculiar to them,
selves, and unlike any other people in
the country New Orleans has long
been famed as a fast city, and its real
character does not belle its reputation.
The people are essentially a pleasure
seeking people. They seem absorbed
in the pursuit Of the one God, Pleas
IRE, and Mammon is almost totally ig-
norcd if it stands in their path. Com
merce might anguish, business stand
still, and trade Of all kinds die, vet
amid the general staguation and ruin
the populace would worship at the
shrine Of their favorite God. They
would seek and enjoy their amusements
the same as if everything were pros,
per US and gold pouring into their
Golfers. There would be diminution
in the throngs that nightly flock to the
theaters the ball rooms the club houses,
the fairs, and other places of popular
resort. The numbers Of balls held here
nightly would astoni.h and delight
Old Terpsichore herself. A local Jour.
nal few mornings since, contained a
full column of announcements of grand
fancy dress and masquerade parties
seventeen in all-and it was not
good day for dancing either.
The folks here 90 exactly counter to
the old maxim Of "early to bed" etc.
They can't subscribe to any such doc
trine. They retire hate and rise late
Breakfast is served at 10, dinner at 4,
supper at 10. At carly dawn scarce-
" soul is TO be seen in the streets,
slve few strarglers, with baskets on
their arms, wen ling their way to mar>
ket. From that time till sun rise the
city is as silent as n cemetery. With
the advent of Old Sol the moagor
throng is augmented by the addition
of n few laborers and stevedoors. From
8 to Q the clerks, book-keepers, small
'radesmcn, etc, emerge from their
1gings, and the principal thorough
Nommencc TO assume \ semi>hus,
I"resspect. Between Q and 10 the
'nnts, bankers, brokers, etc, be-
mererally forth, and the real business
~" to1ay has begun. Thenceforth
VI 'le in business avenues present
'no mlively time. Canal street, par
f'ue nce, the Broadway Of New Or
,N%-from this hour to late in the
1c',nng, is thrpngod with pedestrians
"a few bent -h-siness, but the
greater portion apparently idle prom.
enaders, crawling along at a snail's pace,
halting now and then, and poering in
at the attractive display OF goods and
wares in the shop windows. These
worthless Migrants frequently march
in squads or platoons extending the
whole width Of the side walk, and arc
a sore annoyance TO a man of business
who chances to overtake them, as il
necessitates flank movement on hi,
part, through the filthy street, in order
10 pursue his way.
Very little respect is paid TO The
holy Sabbath. II is viewed rather in
the light Of a grand holiday than as 3
day of devotion, prayer, and rest. The.
aters are in full blast; dance,balls