, 1888-09-23
RUNA.

and, save n few clustering hamlets here and
there, presenting little evidence of the pro.
greSsive spirit which strawberries her today.
Far aloft rose in majestic grandeur seem
ingly interminable forests of oaks and cy-
press, and beyond these lay inextricable
jungles and vast morasses where sported
strange animals and birds, whose f~ossilized
remains puzzle the intelligent investigation
Of the naturalists of today. Dark, mys-
FERROUS figures glided stealthily about, sibyl
looking women sang their dismal chants and
exercised their spirit of divination over
seething pot and caldron along the banks
of the gloomy swamps and bayous, and the
bold adventurer in penetrating these fast
nesses might not ~unfrequently have witnessed
scenes us wild and weird as did Macbeth on
the Scottish heath.
Amid these picturesque surroundings re
posed, like a frail flower scarcely venturing
to rear its head, the little village of New
Orleans. A queer appearance it presented,
with n depth of only twelve squares, and
completely surrounded by a large ditch,
fenced in with sharp spikes wedged close to-
gether; the swampy soil was cut up into
numbers of small ravines, rendering con-
slant drainage n necessity. To effect this, a
trench ran around the four corners of every
square in the city, and each lot in the square
was surrounded by palisades and also ditched
around, thus causing the city to present very
much the appearance of "a microscopic carl
cature OF Venice" These trenches, run over
as they almost continually were by tall reeds
and grasses, furnished congenial abode for
venomous reptiles and frogs who's croakiug
made the midnight hideous. A redoubt ex-
tended along Rampant street, and forts were
constructed at the different angles of the
town.
There were but humble dwellings In New
Orleans in those days; the aggregate popu-
lntion was scarce 1000, the number of houses
less than 400. The greater number of these
were in the third or fourth squares from the
river; they were simple, implanted struct-
ures, far more resembling the lowly cabins
of the peasant than the abode of the proud
spirited race they sheltered. Yet the most
veracious French and Spanish historians of
that period alike testify to the polished aris-
tocracy of the men and women, to customs
and manners which made this obscure settle
ment in the new world n miniature reproduc-
tion of the court of Versailles. The ladies
wore the ~costliest brocaded gowns, high
heeled shoes and powdered head gear; the
men, gold and silk Powered coats, silver
buckles and gilded sabers; and all this
while dwelling in hamlets, and in the
midst 81 a poverty of surroundings that
seemed homogeneous in the extreme;
for according to an inventory made of the
household furnishings of one of the leading
families, the lady's bedroom furniture, that
pride of every dame, consisted of a plain
cypress bedstead, with n corn shuck mat
tress and one of feathers on top; six cypress
chairs with rush bottoms, and candles manu-
featured by servants, from the common
green wax of the country. Old archives,
still e~xtant, record many another such in
gtanca How ardapt rnist baua haap tho
thirst for glory and conquest, which led the
march of chivalry to these untried shores;
here is material for poet and novelist; here
imagination may revel and fancy lightly
weave. Assuredly a night in New Orleans
in the year 1867 is eminently suggestive.
The city presented something of a martial
appearance; though now wrapped in slumber
it was evident that matters of a serious i'm
port were under consideration, and that pre-
paration had been made for an approaching
conflict. For since the cession of the colony
to Spain by France the indignant populace
questioned the power of the latter country to
make them Spanish citizens whether they
willed or no, and pending an embassy to
Louis XIV to be again taken under his author
ity, had determined to resort to arms rather
than acknowledge Spanish supremacy. Don
Antonio de Uloa was n man of rare accom-
plishments, a philosopher and scientist, who
had explored the secrets of HfataFe+a-Spain-
Peru and other parts of the earth. Accut-
toned as he was to tho consideration and adj
ulation of the most powerful potentates OF
his day, he grew indignant at the cool dis
respect with which his every command was
treated and withdrew from New Orleans,
taking his books and scientific instruments
with him, and shut himself up among the
moaning winds and the desolation Of the
Qa1s-a D.
riage had reached the city. The desire TO
burn the midnight oil was not the sole cause
of the chiefs absence from the seat of gov
eminent. Amid those reeds and shaking
piles he had awaited the coming Of a Spanish
frigate from Peru, bearing the beautiful and
accomplished marchioness of Abrado and
three Peruvian maids as attendants, court
chaplain, etc. Bravlng the winds and the
ocean, she had come from that distant port
to this to plight her troth forever. Romance
and Lowell they are not confined to time or
place, to gildel palace or gemliEe bower,
where the music Of the lutte gently lures and
soft eyes droop beneath the glance OF admir-
ing affection. That lonely pass on the Mis-
sissippi tells a tale that outrivals the most in
tense creation of fancy.
The harvest moon had risen in all its ole
dor, throwing its shimmering beams across
the Mississippi and lighing up the rude habi-
tations that reposed at the base of its EN-.
bankrnents, A French officer, lured by tho
beauty of the night, promenaded along the
levee. He deserted an approaching vessel,
and anxious to discover its identity drew
nearer to the waters edge. He saw The meu
fastening the ropes to the moorings. There
was 4 flourish of trumpets, and 10! the Span
!si governor and his bride proceeded on
sEore. She wore a mantilla over her head,
al bo"e herself with the dignity Of the high
bred Gcmc. She was followed by two Indian
girls, gaUlIy decked after the manner Of
tEeLr race; but when these descended tie
plank wall: there was still another, end uDo.
her the ewes Of the young officer were riveted
IL cstoaishment. Tue moon had risen high,
Lie cir was soft and bulmy, and Of 4 clear
i-ezs THAI rendered each feature OF tho maiden
G--.-cly visible. She Was not very tall, We.
he aspect was commanding; her face was
tI@rvo-Cosly beautiful nd her eyes seemed
- chine Lko stars on 4 cloudless summer