Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1886-04-30
OUR NEW ORLEANS LETTER.
The Old Landmarks OF the Cres-
cent fslfw

Nkw ORLEANS. April %, 1886.
EDIroR HERALD-The old 81. LouiI
Cathedral Is one Of the landmarks of oul
city. We say "the old Cathedral, but
10 fact the present structure was built
only about thirty years ago. 1t is, how
ever, entirely free from anything per
tanning to modern adornment or archi
lecture. 1t stands on the site Of wha
can be justly termed the ''old" Cathe
dral, which LAGER was identified with
the earliest history OF the city; but be
came, 10 the course Of time, too dilapi
dated to be repaired, and so was re-
moved aud the Cathedral Of to-day
erected in its stead. The stranger would
tind this church not without interest,
for il is suggestive Of years ago, and
around 1t clings tho memory of those
who have passed away. II was here
that mass was said before the battle Of
New Orleans, praying for a successful
i+sue, and after it, thanksgiving was
Otititd iOA tHo bipue 'tbtci y
EARLY MASS AND THE FREEoH QUARTER.
II on one of these lovely spring Sab
bath mornings you can rouse yourself
from your slumbers and forego your
"beauty Sleep" you would feel well re.
paid for trip down to French town, "
thero to attend the early mass at the
Cathedral, and to view come OF the won
ders OF the French market. How still
the city 10. Hardly sound breaks the
ltnce; no one ia seen except, Sperhaps,
here and there q devout Catholic hurry
log along with prayer book in one hand
and basket in the other, determined to
sanctify the days work by a moment 10
some quiet church, after which the fam
lily marketing must be done. Let us
enter, reverently, the stone door OF the
Cathedral; stop a moment at the iron
founl, dip our fingers in the "holy
water, only from mere force Of example,
you know. Walk slowly and solemnly
up the dim aisles, for the service has not
yet begun; pause a moment at the queer
little confessionals-think OF the sins
which have been revealed therel Think
of the heart secrets which have
been laid ON the altar OF atone
ment, and think of the hessftts
that held them cold and life.
less as thss stone s5snhre on which the penitent
81 years ago, and the penitent of to-day
kneels to seek the blessed absolutIon
from the priest; to hear the ionged-for
iGo In peacel" A bell sounds The
deep tones Of the organ swell for mo.
ment on the air-then all is silent, "a
the kneeling congregation, small at his
hour, offer up their prayers to the Giyer
of all Good Almost unconsciously you
linger until the mass is said, aud dnrlng
the entire day that follows you seem to
feel again the peace aud stiffness OF that
hour. Pause before You leave to look
at the beautiful altar at the candles
ever burning, at the white-robed altar
boys, and the black -gowned priests; see
the image of the Virgin up alone. Can
you help feeling OF solemnity pervad-
ing your whole being as deep as that
which fills the soul of the old Creole
negro woman kneeling at your feet?
Turning from the half-lighted church
we step out into
JACKSON SQUARE.
1t is very lovely at all times, but more
especially so now, filed as il is with the
soft radience OF the early spring morn
ing. The young sun falling like golden
glory from the cloudless sky above,
seems to trans6gure every blade of
grass, every early flower and budding
tree; and to light up the grim surround
ings that enclose this lovely breathing
place until the gray fronts of the old
cathedral and court houses look almost
bright and new again. Years ago, when
the city extended only to Canal street,
j ackson Square was the centre OF the
old town, and the pride of every citizen.
II was not then cultivated as is now.
but was one of the very few squares"
or public parks of which the city could
boast. 1t is surrounded on one side by
the cathedral and on the other by old
court houses and residences. At one
corner may be seen glimpse of the
French market, and beyond
bright silver line, which on near
er investigation proves to be the
great Mississippi. The whole ex.
extent of surface, which Is considerable,
is laid out in walks and flower beds.
The orange trees OF Jackson Square are
famous, both for their number and their
fruit. Last Easter accompanied some
strangers to see this ''lion" of our city,
and they were much surprised to see the
orange trees in blossom and fruit at the
same time. The latter were of the pre-
vious years crop which had been I'M
harmed by the slight frosts of South
ern winter. This park was called by the
French "Place d'Armes," and by the
Spanish plaza de Armas." 1t received
its present name from the statue of Gen.
Andrew jackson, the great President
and hero of New Orleans, and which
stands to-day as token of the love and
generation which the people feel for the
invincible soldier and patriot.
THE OLD REGIME.
Years ago, during the war of the
Revolution, there was a chapter of I'M
written history begun in the Plaza
de Armas, which, though little known,
nevertheless turned the scale of the war.
When Galvez, the last of the great
Spanish captain-generals in America,
heard of the treaty bstween Spain and
the Colonies, he determined to act with
his country in their endeavors to assist
the Colonists in their struggle for indie.
pendence. Assembling his mon in the
Plaza de Armas, he read proclamation to
them, declaring war against Great Bri-
tain. Attacks were then planned
against the English garrisons at Natchez,
Baton Rouge (then included in Florida),
Mobile, and Pensacola. These were
successful in every instance, aud the
Spaniards took nearly four thousand
English prisoners OF war. As it
CHANGED, this happened during the
campaign of Greene and Corvallis
The latter was expecting these
four thousand soldiers from the
south as reinforcement, and had they
came there would have been no surren.
der at Yorktown in 1881; no treaty OF
peace in Paris in 1888; and perhaps no
United States of America in 1856. The
scene in the Plaza de Armas, whereGalvez
read the proclamation to his followers,
was one which has been preserved as u
tradition during the years that have
passed. If you were to enter into con-
versution to-day, with one of the old
Creole men who are lounging this Sun
day morning on one OF the benches In
Jackson sqnare, as perhaps they have
lounged on Sunday mornings for fifty
years, they will tell you of that scene
in the Plaza de Armas in almost the same
words as their fathers told it to them.
The hosts of Galyez, numbering several
thousands, in all the accoutrements OF
war, with flags flying and banners way
ing, extending line on line until the
square" seems one mass OF soldiery;
the face of the brave general filled with
his earnest resolution to assist the weak
against the strong, the reflection of that
feeling on the lace of every one of his
followers, who are no less brave than
their great leader himself, will seem to
rise before you as you listen to the story.
But soon some sound borne on the
morning air will recall you to the pres.
ent, and you will turn to that famous
feature of our southern city,
THE FRENCH MARKET,