Telegram-herald., 1889-06-20

0eIItl city tpe4eaLn the water j.
about one hundred and i've square
miles, with a front OF over twelve miles
0n the east bank OF the river. The
least distance from the ryer 10 the lake
5 At the head OF Elyslan Fields--t., at
which point the distance Is about four
miles. THIS vast area OF territory IS not
denselypOpuiated except alongt the river
bank. and the portion built up extends
generally about one mile back from
the river.
The city has many miles OF streets,
of which some thirty are paved with
square block stone.
According to the census of 1880, the
total population now claimed Is about
10000, OF which about $1,000 are
coloFed. During the winter months
the total population may be fairly
estimated from 30 900 to 500 900, as
thousands of people cougregate here
on account Of the climate and social
festivities.
The central portion Of the city Is
built OF brick and stone, but outside of
certain preScribe limits wooden build
ings are erected. This custom of build
ing IN wood is generally confined 10 the
erection of dwellings, and IN TINS way
some OF the finest quarters are entirely
built of wood. As the climate j. damp,
wooden dwellings, are generally pre-
terred, a. they are considered dryer
and healthier than those OF BRICK. The
streets OF the city are from two to six
feet below the level OF the river, and
the stranger Is at once struck 10y the
novel sight of the surface water
running from the river through the
cutters. Owing to the marshy soil of
the city, underground sewage Is not
m use, and surface drainage carries oil
all the sewerage except that of the
house sinks, which are cartcd off into
the river. The land slopes gradually
toward the rear, and midway Is 4
ridge OF land, called the Metairic
Ridge, two feet high, created IN former
times by the waters OF the lake and
river meeting together. Beyond the
Metslrie ridge great marsh extends,
which the storms of the lake annually
lnuudate.
The cutters of the city gradually
slope toward the center of the basin
formed by the high land on the river
bank and the ridge. At this center
point the cutters empty their contents
lnty large canals, NJ tine end of which
powerful drainage wheels pump the
contents into canals dIschargng into
the lake. Tins system OF drainage
answers the purpose very well, except
when the east winds blow the waters of
the Gulf INTO the lake and causes 1t 10
rise and the canals to Till up. When
this occurs. the rear portion OF the city
Is sometimes under water for days.
Bayou It. John, being the natural
drain of the site, It's ramticatons can
b. seen on each SIDE of the Canal-st.
shell road, and the engineers have fol-
lowed out these lines, traced by nature,
by gging. IN all low places, under
ground and surface canals leading To
the lake. The whole rear portion OF
the city, except the ridge, was at one
time vast swamp, filled with gigantic
cypress trees, and only few years ago
the trees extended rs far up as Clal-
bOrn-st., fifteen squares from the rver.
This peculiar system of drainage and
the singular position Ot the city upScts
an precOnceiyed IDEAS of location. In
New Orleans the upper side OF the
street IS tine south SIDE, and the lower
SIDE the north, for the nver IN front of
the city makes sharp curve flowing to
the north. The city Is regularly LAID
ont In squares, with narrow streets and
q number of beautiful wide avenues.
We will explain further on, the reason
tor the narrow streets.
The original city comprised that part
lying between Canal and Esplanade-
S., the river and Rsmpart-st. This
portion was surrounded by a wall and
fortified see Notifications IN the out
lines of the History Of Louisiana
THIS wall or rampant was three feet
high. surmounted bv 4 palisade of cy-
press twelve feet high. Outside Of this
was ditcn forty feet wide and seven
feet deep. Atthe end Of the ramparts
Where the custom house now stands.
was Fort - Louis. st tue conner OF
Eamnnrt and tanal-s-s. VA, Fort Bur-
gindv. and on Ncw Orleans IT.. where
Congo square IS Row lad of, vls Fort
50. Ferdinand. Al the angle ol Ram
n3rt and E,plauadc-sts. was Fort So.
Jonn ana the whole clrCWt vas COM
peted bV Fort -. Charles. where the
I. T. mint now stands a barge and we'll
h'uit work. commanding t0e rvor.
The streets Of tins old span sh c,ty
were made narrow. a~ m alI hos Cl-
mates. to secure shade Snd prote 'lou
from the open bot sun. and TREY were
named n honor ~ gne rpval iln Irs
ot spain and France. Thus we have
the nam street called Euc RoYaie.
the other streets CaHei R0urhOn- d.
after the dy.asfy, tharters-,t-- after