The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1880-12-25
Notes from Aunt Chats Portfolio.

Observations ON the Condition Of New Or
leans-The Sanitary Association-Pro
Fontaine's Sewerage Project-Home 4
Last, among the Loved Scenes and Face
Of Edgewood-A Hint to Complaints
!, and Unproeressive Planters.
EpGEwooD CorrAeE, La, Dec. 9, 1880.
EDITOR CHIEF:
Surely that Oldest Inhabisant, of whom
we have heard SO much, can find notI,in,
in his record of weather to equal tha
which we had during our sojonrn in New
Orleans! Of course every body frette,
and complained, for every body think
he has right to dictate terms to ali all
wise Creator.
Did it ever occur to you how mucl
more the cloudy, rainy days engross ou
attention than those Of sunshine7 How
careless we are of the Thousand choice
blessings that throng our pathway, anf
with what exactness we note down ever,
little annoyance and every shadow that
fingers even for momenti Methinks
that in all this there is but little Of
Humility, that low, sweet root,
From which all heavenly virtues shoot.
We took advantage Of every cessation
of rain. and saw enough Of the city tc
satisfy us that the reports of stir and
progress in business circles had not been
exaggerated. The city itself is ut stand.
still, but there are many Improvements
III the way of private enterprise. The
shops have not presented 50 brilliant an
appearance since the palmy days of yore,
and are just teenling with costly and
beautiful things which even a glimpse
of is enough to chase away fit of The
blues.
No doubt the Christmas trees will bear
glorious fruit this year and the dear
children will be firmly convinced of til.
unbounded wealth and generosity of Old
"Santa Claus"
The merchants have certainly proved
that they are not wanting in enterprise
Will they get due encouragement They
think not. They say that their stores
will be crowded during the Winter
months, but that the rest of the year
they will be left comparatively idle;
that those whose patronage is most val
| uable to them will leave here in the
Spring OF early Summer and pour their
money in the Golfers of Northern mer-
chants, and that, even now, they are
forced to listen to the asseveration that
goods are so much cheaper in New York,
and it is so difficult to get the right
thing in New Orleans.
Among the many improvements Moth
ing stands ont in such bold relief as the
work of the "Auxiliary Sanitary Asso-
ciat,on." The President and members of
the Executive Board deserve the thanks
of the people far and near for the faith
full manner iii which they have utilized
the means placed at their disposal. But,
thanks are not enough. Great things
can not he done without money, and gen.
erons contributions of money sbonld I've
sent in unsolicited, not only from the
city, but from the country, for the coun-
try reaps the benefit rs well az the city
i'll the preservation of its health.
However, no real good can be accom-
plished; the health Of the city can not
be positively established until All effect
i've system of sewerage is adopted. From
timrto time the subject is agitated and
different plans suggested, but none seems
SO perfectly feasible as that of the emf
nent scientist aud divine, Rev. Edward
Fontaine, u. d. He proposes, as you
have no doubt seen, IL canal from Bonnet
Care bend, through the rear of New Or
leans TO the Englisl, Turn, below the
city, and claims that by means of this
short cnt-off, the velocity Of the current
would be so greatly increased that the
drainage FROM the cutters and sewers OF
this vast city would he carried rapidly
to the sea, instead of lurking i'll the sub
nrbs and breeding pestilenco as at pres
ent.
John arranged matters aud things SO
that we could leave the Crescent City
ON the steamer Natchez. He is very
fond of the gallant old Captain, whom
he considers one Of the sterling men of
the community, one who is infexible as
steel when duty and principle are in-
volvel, but as genial as sunshine in the
social circle, and as tender as a woman
when the needs of suffering humanity
are presented to him. Of course, on his
well ordered boat, we had pleasant
trip, but the nearer we approached the
haven Of rest and happiness the more
leaden winged was time. At length the
great bell pealed forth the joyous sounds
which seemed to say, Home! Home
Home and soon the boat had glided to
our landing and we stood once more on
our native heath. Up the avenue, meath
the sturdy oaks, pecans and elms, came
the welcoming crowd. Foremost the
children, great and small, with old
Growler at their heels; father, mother
aud grandma filling out the line, while
the servants, loving and true, brought
up the rear. All gave full vent to their
Joy in shouts and fond embraces.
What wealth of happiness there is
i'll sweet home where mingle kindred
souls knit together by the purest love ;