The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-04-30
To the Gulf and Return.

The members OF the Society of Civil
Engineers, who have been in conyen.
ton here during the past week, left on
Friday morning on the steamboat La
Belle, to inspect the Jetties at Port
Eads. Several ladies accompanied the
party. Although the weather during
the morning was unfavorable, the
guests thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
At o'clock Magnolia was sighted, and
in short time the party had disem-
barked, and were scattered about, in
specting the machinery in the sugar
mill, or the orange groves, or partaking
Of the bountiful lunch spread within
the old time mansion of Col. Efflngham
Lawrence.
After q very considerable stay, during
which the most kindly sentiments were
expressed on the part of host and
guests alike, the La Belle steamed away
down the river. The wind had worked
the stream into such formidable waves
that when night came on it was thought
advisable to tie up, and the excursion
lists were treated to a mosquito sensa-
ton, in consequence, which they will
not soon forget. Those who were so
fortunate as to obtain state rooms were
spared the experience, but the ma,
jority found ample occupation during
the silent watches Of the night in
battling with the insidious and
ubiquitous foe. Engineering ingenuity
was taxed to it's utmost in the effort to
escape the little pests, but seldom with
success. Many laughable contrivances
were to be seen about the decks de-
signed to secure rest to the weary trav-
eler. At about O'Clock Port Eads was
made, and the morning was spent in
examining the contiguous works. In
the afternoon the party went on board
the revenue cutter Dix and the steam
err West and were taken out into
the Gulf, returning by the Southwest
Pass late in the day. Numerous cases
Of NAL de nler occurred, and the fortu-
nate once who escaped were quite proud
of their sea going qualities. Passengers
were transferred to the La Belle at the
Jump, and with parting cheer to the
fair ladies and others resident at Port
Eads, who had done so much to make
the day a memorable one, the return
trip was begun.
Upon the downward trip a number of
untiring geniuses had inaugurated the
"Original and Unparalleled Mississippi
Concert and Serenade Combination"
and an initiatory performance was
given, winning unstinted applause. It
was repeated upon the up trip with great
success. The euphonious cognomens
assumed by the several vocalists in per-
sonating talent which the bill an
nounced as having been Imported at
enormous expense" were doubtless
quite as genuine as those Of more than
one troupe of Italian warblers which We
have seen.
Mr.. Arthur Speilman led the combi-
nation, and Messrs. Whiteman, Roch,
Kelly, Endicot, Macy, Taylor, Willetts
and Cushing were the performers.
About midnight the plantation of Mr..
Lawrence was passed, and courtesies
betting the hour and occasion were e1-
changed.
The La Belle arrived here at an early
hour yesterday morning.
A series Of complimentary resolutions
were passed in favor of the gentlemen
connected with the jetties enterprise
who had been instrumental in the great
success Of the excursion.
Many OF the engineers and their ladies
leave for the North to-day, but a large
party will go to Galveston tomorrow,
and will probably return home via Lit
tie Rock and Memphis.