Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1885-02-17
NEW ORLEANS.
Feb. 2pd. 1885.

uiCSoCo, anu 40 HiinC 10 All lCdul, L
slip this chance TO answer some of
my letters. This can well be called
the city of gaiety," for there is so
much to see and enjoy, that one can't
help being merry all the time. The
Exposition is simply grand far sur
passing the Centennial both in size
and variety of display-which you
know is saying much, indeed. From
the entrance of Government build
ing, the sight is perfectly dazzling
under the electric light, and one feels
completely lost in space. Dakota
(Wonder LSnd) has the finest dis
play of all in Gov. building. 1 al
most imagined myself roaming
through this wild, poetic country, in
reality, as we left tile wigwam and
neared the Falls of Minnehaha, the
water pouring over the steep preci-
pice, really seemed to echo the voice
of Hiawatha calling his beloved
Minnehaha, Everything was so nat
ural, even to the peculiar birds nest
ling among the green foliage, as
though ready to burst forth in song,
and to the wild animals peering from
behind huge rocks among the noun
tains as il in search of prey. Among
the foreign exhibits, Paris has the
most costly; everything that is rare
and gorgeous is here displayed, from
lace $4,000 per yd. to a bridal veil
1850. In the display from Japan,
noticed a set Of furniture, of ebony,
irlaid with gold, mother Of pearl and
emerald the centre-table (Which
was Of itself a curiosity was very
peculiar in shape, having in each cor
ner beautiful scenes in inlaying,
while in the centre of same, was an
inscription in precious stones. From
this building we passed out into a
side court, along the lovely lake
(whose calm, limpid water had Pc
culiar fascination for me by moon
lighD into the main building (Which
battles descriptiom finally landing in
Music Hall, where we listened to the
most enchanted strains Of Italian
music. We were from 3 o'clock till 8
that evening going over the Main
and Government buildings, not stop
ping more than five minutes at each
exhibit; so you can imagine the size.
| took seat in the time-worn desk
chair that belonged to the illustrious
Washington, also in the invalid chair
(Which suggested Mother Hubbard
b0nncD owned by Andrew jackson.
Having been through the two most
principal buildings three times we
will take in the Horticultural Hall,
Art Gallery etc, ETC., this week.
The whole thing is curiosity from
beginning TO end, and you see from
a bonnet made OF dish-rags to tiny
house of pearls and toe nails. Be-
sides the Exposition, there is so much
to see here in the city. l have been
through the Custom House, (where
accidentally ran upon AL Clark the
French Market, (where you see every
people of.all nationalities);
the Cathedral Nunnery Cotton Press;
Pickwick Club House, etc. Have al
so been down TO the wharf to see the
great steamers come in, going
the large steamer Richard
son, and out ON the Guards, where
we had an excellent view of the river
and surrounding city. Yesterday,
we went out TO DR.. Palmer's church,
and after service, was invited to
dine with the Gordon girls, where
met two of the leading "Club Men"
of New Orleans. After dinner, we
took steam car ON Canal st. and
went out TO "West End" (this is the
great summer resort for the wealthy
of this city, it being only three miles
from the centre of Prytania) or in
other words "Over the Lake."
Here you almost thiak yourself in
Venice, for all the hotels, restaurants,
villas, fashionable drives, summer
Theatre, Music Hall, and parks are
all built out on the water, this is the
most beautiful place in the whole of
New Orleans-"Spanish Fort" not
even excepted and the latter is cer-
tainly lovely. We were going for
row across the narrow part of the
lake and had gone down to the boat
house to pick out schooner, but as
the breeze was blowing very chilly,
the Young gentlemen thought it
might give usisevere colds, and that
we had better postpone our rowing
to warmer day. So the guide
showed us all through the "Boat
House" (Which is said to be the finest
in the U. S. up on the observatory,
where we could see the schooners
and canoes, seeming like mere specks
in the distance. The lake is 25 miles
wide, and from the observatory on a
bright day like yesterday, we can
see the opposite shore. l have seen
more these three weeks than ever ex-
pected to have seen in whole year.
| only wish that l had the time to
begin long, long letter, (something
on the style Of a journaD and give
you nice description Of the whole
city and Exposition, but l scarcely
have minute to myself, so l shall
save up and remember everything,
with the aid of my notebook, till |
come home. We breakfast at s
o'clock, (having three courses), lunch
at l2 and dine at 4 o'clock (having
seven or eight courses, decidedly
French) then repair to the parlors,
where we receive company, having
dancing, music and games. During
the course of the evening, ices, cakes,
and wines are served on large silver
trays. The French wines they have
here are very fine, but | can't say l
really like them. "Creme de Va
nille' or vanilla cream, ;s my favorite,
because it is the sweetest. gulp.
down a good many fearful mixtures,
that almost kill me, but | "grin and
endure" l almost starve to-death at
dinner, ere we reach the fifth course,
and by the time the last is served, /
feel quite empty, indeed am at a loss
to know what all have eaten, too,
for the long French names almost
choke me.
Fashionable calling is to me, a per-
feet eyesore, and Mrs, O'Brien has
me out-starched and trim twice a
week. It's not considered polite 10
merely shake hands, when out on
these stiff and ceremonious occasions,
but you must kiss the whole family
from the servant up to the Madam,
10 81 e