The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-22
rturned from iieliehtfu Iaunt through the


at 2 O'Clock, have concluded rvey Of
Esplanade street us far out as tie Jockey
Club park on the south or French
side again; at 4 o'clock surveyed
the shipping; at o'clock seen the cotton
sheds; at o'clock seated himself to enjoy
French opera In French; at 10 o'clock
Joined very American group Of lively
young fellows at the Louisiana club. By
this time his mind will be in daze. He
will feel as man will feel In the next GEN.
fury after breakfasting in New York, lunch
ing in London, dining in Paris, supping in
Berlin. and turning into bed in Chicago.
Therefore we may say that New Orleans is
the most cosmopolitan OF cities, with Ameri-
cans, Irish, French, Spanish, Italians and
negroes pushing and crowding one another
very tumble OF nationalitics, but with the
French leayen leavening the whole lump.
The writer has spoken of ST. Charles and
Esplanade streets. II the visitor would en-
Joy sensation, such as no other American
city can afford him, let him ride down st.
Charles and Immediately afterward stroll
along Esplanade. The former is strictly
American, the latter as strictly French. st.
Charles is a panorama Of lovely dwelling
places. The grounds are spacious and open
10 the view. The American at home de-
lights In elbow-room. Therefore on st.
Charles street the houses are mansions set in
the midst Of parks most beautifully adorned
and kept with rare ncatness. II Is the most
cheerful street In the world. One leaves 1t
with sense Of exaltation. And with this
impression sin vivid, II the visitor will re-
pair to Esplanade street, he will enjoy de-
lightful contrast. On this thoroughfare he
sees long lines Of houses built after the
French fashion-plain and somber exteriors,
high walls that protect the grounds from
curious eyes, windows with formidable and
forbidding shutters, everything close and
compact The Frenchman's home is for
himself alone; the Americans for every
body. Accordingly the former puts up a
high wall and bolted gates; the latter throws
the wall down, dispcnses with padlocks, and
is pleased to aggravate the envy Of the
passer-by. The American IL cramped In ten
ncres the Frenchman has accommodations
to spare in bandbox. All this Is made ap.
parent in passing from one street 10 the
other.
The inhabitants of New Orleans like New
Orleans very much. The stranger Is very
promptly made aware Of this They seem
never to tire In their admiration N the place
And no wonder The charm that Paris has
Tor the native Partisan Is the charm that New
Orleans has for its people. Business Is
briskly conducted, but Il Is recognized that
the hour for play is quite as important as the
hour for work. The club Is more
positive factor In social life than In any other
American city save New York, and the
theater Is more Of an 'institution" Some
conventionalities that obtain In other
cries may not obtain here, but the social
code OF New Orleans has protecting and con.
sewing principles and bylaws of its own
that are very vigorously enforced. much to
the advantage OF society. That society has
been for century proyerbial for Its culture
and though its annals have their tragic In.
cidents, II has bred a most chiyalrous and
engaging pcople--the politcst people on the
face OF the earth. The brusqucrie which one
encounters In the streets Of other cities Is
wholly absent here. To ask direction Of the
first man you meet Is for him TO stop and. II
necessary, accompany you 70 n starting
point with manner OF genuine solicitude
This disposition IN shown the stranger so
frequently that he cannot do otherwise than
conclude that II Is n general Characteristic OF
the population. Possibly this may be due
TO that French leavcn Of which We
have spoken. One naturally expects 20
find In n city Of 80 many attractive belong.
ings beautiful women a. a matter Of course
In this expectation he will not be disap-
pointed. Canal street after the matinee
fairly blooms with feminine loycllneSs
The creole type has no rival, with her com.
pleSion OF sca-shell pink. eyes like sloes ITO
threaten and command" her figure erect
aud graceful TO the artist eye, her movement
pocsy. The New Orleans women have
the air OF being sure Of themselves
wherever they may be encountered.
They Challenge no attentions but arc
confident OF Difference. To gaug, the social
status Of a community one must observe the
women. not only In their homes aud at
social gatherings, but s they appear In the
streets. II they are accorded the right Of
way without question. n "placc aux danes"
Is at once conceded In the car, In the shop
or In the crowd. ono may conclude that the
'tmdard Is high. A woman risks no un.
ciyiliiics In New Orleans Way Is made Tor
her everywhere As she moves. Therefore
all women are captivaicd with New Orleans.
To the man who loves the stage and
IL traditions q visit 10 the French
opera, In New Orleans, T. keen de.
light II will not matter what the pcf.
Torrance may be- The building itself Is the
Interesting thing II l. vast In IT, proportions.
Gallery rises upon gallery 10 such great
hight that the people In the topmost tien
look like midgcts 10 those In ihe parquct
10 Is theaicr built by Frcnchmcn Tor
Frnchmcn, after the old old French style.
There u not modern suggestion In any oft
appointments. foyerand green room. parlor
and restaurant, siair-cascs and stalls and
boxes, conspirc In their curiouS arrange.
mcnt and relations 70 convince the visitor
that he has suddenly been transplantcd 10 n
iheaicr Of the La, century. Ono move.
about the building In half.expeoinnt way.
a. though he might perhaps encounter the
bcwiggcd and furbclowcd nobility Of
I.onis XIV. aud the ghosts Of Talmn
or Rachel. II u easy TO give way 10 dream.
ful mood In this vast, trndiiIon.haunicd au.
diiorium, 10 people the shadows when the
lights are low. with the spirits Of century.
gone play.folki ,o imagine the boxes iilled