Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-08-03
SIM SHINE AND SHADOW OF NEW ORLEANS.


1correspondence of the Alexandria Gazettc.l
The city during and since the exposition
has been kind of cosmopolitan menag-
erie, composed Of the old, the new, the cul-
tured and the coarse. Here, advancing and
receding civilization met, ccnsed while
and parted forever. The one to mjldew
and moulder into the past, the other to
make and manage the future destiny of
nations.
The city has many sights not found else
where in this country. In the French market
we find many things for sale which, for the
sake Of conformity, we would not "do as
Rome does" Fish may be found all the
way from the shad fry to those ready for
the fertilizing factory. Craw fish and snails
are delicacy among the French Creoles,
and NAV be found in the market at all times.
In the same place we fud scores Of Italians,
fruit yender fiends of each sex and Of all
sizes. A superannuated Dago may be seen
with dress on to attract attention. He
keeps crying out, 'lemme, lemme." If you
look at his lemons and don't buy he uses
what little English he knows in cursing a
complaint to himself as you walk of. Again
we see Jew dressed in long gown, turban
and sandals. He is selling Jerusalem jew
elry THAT was made in New York, while
others are selling exposition souyeniers,
pampas, plumes, rubber monkeys, Chinese
dolls. jumping jacks and gyrascopes. There
ars beggars at every corner. Some have o
monkey and organ, while others have dog
that will stand on its hind feet or very rag
ged baby.
Little regard is paid to the Sabbath as
most places of business are open all day and
the most active scene in the week may be
observed in the French market on Sunday
morning, when all is hurry, jam and a
confusion of tongues only surpassed by the
Tower of Babel.
Gambling dens are numerous and pro.
tected by law. A brief account of one will
suffice for all. On Sunday night a motley
crowd may be seen at Spanish keno den,
dancing, gambling and drinking. A police
man passes to and fro, keeping the floor
cleared and the excited gamblers quiet.
The atmosphere is thick with the scent Of
whiskey, sour beer and tobacco fumes.
The sawdust floor is a cesspool of amber,
while the air is rent with the curses of noisy
gamblers, which at most times amount to a
din of confusion. There must be money
staked in every game, and the dancers must
buy the drinks. The carousal at the bar
often ends in a fight. Those engaged are
pushed or dragged out tho front door,
where few raps from the policeman's club
calls an officer, who takes them to jail, and
the inside performance goes on as before.
These dens begin with the inexperienced and
unWary and transform them into the COM
mon rough, the confirmed rake and the
complete wreck. If they were deprived of
IL lit Nd ho
to exist, and, further, he or she who is free
from these allurments is free from the evil
Of the place where they exist.
The homes of the higher Creoles manifest
taste, culture and refinement. They are q
pleasure loving and pleasure. seeking people.
They believe in the gospel of proper amuse-
ment and not in that form of religion which
makes people look poorly, have long faces,
heave sighs and groans and have visions.
In the language of DR.. Talmage, they would
not trust such man as the treasurer of an
orphan asylum, lest the children would
suffer-
The older people are dignifed, cultured
and courteous, not given to flattery, yet do
not hesitate to say good things of you in
your presence; but when bevy of little
brunettes, with the glow of health and full OF
fun, come together with q cfatter, q hustle
and ripple of voices, mingled with little
crescendo and diminuendo peals oflaughter
the good things and real nice things they
will say to you and of you then will make
your very soul tingle with delight.
Their churches are we'll attended and
represent peculiar combination of the old
the new and the home and foreign customs
We attended Easter devotion at the French
Cathedral As we entered, the great bells
of the cathedral pealed forth the most en-.
chanting Easter chimes. The tones of the
great organ set everything in vibra'
ton; the candles from the wide arch
seemed TO burn with bright and hal
lowed beauty. The altar was adorned
with buds of beauty and flowers of fragrance
These with the sacred censer breathed forth sweet
perfume and holy incense which seemed to com
mune with the solemn meditation of the hour
The pious parent the pcnitent prodigal and the
religious poor all knelt together before the altar
and offered up their Easter devotion with tina,
humility of heart and unassumed devotional atti
tude which claims the admiration of man and the
attention of God. The cathedral is held in s
kind of veneration, for here many made theil
first communion, received confirmation, made the
marriage VOW and witnessed the last rites Of the
church over their deceased friends and relatives
RAMBLER.
Ne,c Orleans, July %.
ADVICE TO MOTHERS.
MRS. w1NsLow's SOOTHING SYRUP, for chill
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