The Daily Picayune
[New Orleans]
May 22, 1855 –
December 1, 1855
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], May 22, 1855 p. 1, c. 5
The family mansion of Francis Surget, Sr., called "The
Highlands," some eight miles distant from Natchez, was destroyed by fire on
the night of the 13th inst.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], May 22, 1855 p. 1, c. 4
Two hundred Mormons, from Europe, left Pittsburg on the 11th
inst., on their way to Great Salt Lake City.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], May 22, 1855 p. 1, c. 7
A Hint to Extravagant Wives.—It's the last ostrich feather that breaks
the husband's back.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], May 22, 1855 p. 2, c. 3
The panorama of the great Eight Thousand Miles' Trip, from the sources of
the Missouri, through California, the Pacific, the Gulf, the Isthmus, and the
Mississippi, is still exhibiting at Armory Hall. The views are graphically drawn, beautifully colored, and the
various scenes of this extended trip are depicted with apparent truth and
fidelity. We can cordially
recommend to the curious in such matters a visit to the Odeocamo.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], May 22, 1855 p. 2, c. 3
We would call attention to the announcement of Mr. Busch, in another
column, of his intention to open at the Pelican theatre, to-morrow evening, an
exhibition of the national and characteristic peculiarities, customs and
amusements of the Flat Head Indians, some of a tribe of whom he has engaged.
They will go through their war dances, their funeral ceremonies, and
other performances. It will be an
instructive exhibition.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], May 22, 1855 p. 2, c. 5
Eight young ladies of this city having made for the First Company of
Washington Artillery six elegant star-spangled banners, presented them, with a
tasteful and appropriate note, which was fitly replied to by a committee of the
company.
We have the pleasure of laying the correspondence before the reader:
To the First Company Washington Battalion of Artillery:
New Orleans, May 17, 1855.
Gentlemen—Numerous and varied have been the sentiments expressed by the
public and the press of the First Company Washington Battalion of Artillery,
though none have spoken "but to praise;" yet we are assured that none
can appreciate your gallant company more than we, the undersigned.
To prove to you that our feelings of esteem are not of a fleeting
momentary character, we beg of you to accept these Flags, and with them our
united wishes that your company may ever wear the laurels it has won.
Respectfully,
L.
M. T*******
H. M. K******
L.
K. F****
M. A. R*****
J.
A. G. S****
C. R. H****
L.
A. H*****
E. C. H*****
_____
New Orleans, May 10, 1855.
Young Ladies—The Washington Artillery, through the undersigned
committee, have the pleasure of acknowledging the very graceful compliment you
have extended to them in the presentation of six beautiful banners for their
battery.
Next to the honor of his country, the smiles of beauty should ever be the
soldier's highest aspiration, her defence the strongest incentive to his valor,
and her approbation the noblest guardian of his toils.
For the first he arrays himself in the panoply of war, mimics its
dreadful conflict, and prepares to encounter its wildest horrors.
For the second he nerves himself with every manly attribute, strengthens
each physical energy, and elevates each intellectual faculty that can render him
more worthy of its achievement; and while laying his blood-stained laurels at
her feet, he proudly claims the third as the richest boon that crowns the hour
of victory and triumph.
With feelings such as these, glowing in the hearts of the members of the
Artillery, they gratefully accept the banners which have been sent to them by
the eight fair daughters of the Crescent City.
They are proud of the sentiments with which they have honored them, and
pledge themselves never to forfeit their good opinion.
Sent to lead them in the path of honor and of duty never shall these
beautiful banners be unfolded but to remind their bearers of the objects for
which they were designed; and should danger ever threaten or conflict actually
occur, where their graceful undulations lead the way, inspired by the animating
recollections of their lovely donors, their stars shall guide us to victory or
the grave.
Respectfully,
Alex.
Smith, Jr.
}
J.
G. Pierson,
} Committee
F.
Scott,
}
To Miss T*******, Miss H*****, Miss S*****, Miss F*****, Miss H****, Miss
K******, Miss R*****, Miss H*****.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], May 22, 1855 p. 3, c. 2
Second
Popular Festival
To be given
On the Union Race
Ground,
Sunday, May 27,
1855, From the Morning to
the Evening.
The undersigned committee invite all their fellow citizens to that
festival, which last year proved most attractive.
Target and Bird Shooting, Dancing, Pole Climbing, Foot, Horse and
Carriage Races, Equestrian Exercises, Catching Pigs, Cock Striking, Candle
Drawing, and other popular amusements are arranged, and prices [sic?] will be
given to the best performers.
Omnibuses will carry visitors from several stations to and from the Union
Ridge.
At 7 o'clock A.M. a procession will be formed on the Congo Square and
march to the place of the festival.
Tickets at 50 cents for each gentleman or lady, and 25 cents for each
child over 7 years, will be sold by the undersigned committee and at the door.
M. Weisheimer,
H. Blae[ ]e,
A. Bettinger,
F. Adelman,
F. Gabain,
C.
F. Hennisch,
H. Franko,
Ch. Maches,
L. Strin.
J. K. Kron,
my22—td
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], May 22, 1855 p. 3, c. 2
Armory Hall.
Will open for exhibition on
Tuesday, May 15,
1855,
The Mammoth Great
Western
Odeocamo,
Portraying with fidelity beyond equal the many interesting and curious objects on
A Trip Over 8,000 Miles Long!
commencing at St. Joseph Missouri, across the Plains, through the Rocky Mountains, over the Desert, passing the Sierra Nevada, through the mines, forest, cities, towns and ranches of California, accompanied by a description of the topography, geology, zoology and botany of the country will be given.
Passing Out at the Golden Gate,
taking the sea route home via Acapulco, Panama, over the Isthmus to Chagres, river town and Fort of Chagres;
Sea and Gulf Scenes
Passing the Island of Cuba; entrance of the Mississippi river, coast and plantation views, finally landing at the wharf opposite
Place D'Armes, City of New Orleans.
Price of admission, 50 cents; children and servants, half
price.
Doors open at 7 o'clock; exhibition will commence at
quarter before 8, precisely.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], May 23, 1855 p. 1, c. 7
From Vicksburg.
To the Editors of the Picayune:
Vicksburg, Miss., May 19, 1855.
The inhabitants of this usually staid and quiet city have had their
expectations aroused to the highest pitch during the past week. You are aware, I suppose, that arrangements have been for
some time in progress for the purpose of lighting this city with gas.
Tuesday evening last was fixed upon for the first illumination, but the
arrangements not having been fully completed, the event was postponed until last
night. Friday, the 18th
of May, must, therefore, be looked upon as an important date in the history of
Vicksburg. On that evening the
principal streets were for the first time lighted with gas; and for a first
attempt, I must confess the result was very successful.
Any one acquainted with this city must acknowledge that the introduction
of gas, the laying of pipes, &c., was a work of no small labor, and the
gentlemen who undertook the enterprise deserve the thanks of this community for
the expeditious and satisfactory manner in which they have performed their
contract. The gas, it is true, was
not of the best quality; but time is a great perfector, and may be expected to
lend its master hand to this, one of its greatest works.
The new lights had a fine effect when viewed from the opposite bank of
the river, and may well be said to have astonished the few denizens in that
quarter. There are not many here,
especially among the "Young America" party, who never saw such a light
before. Crowds paraded the streets
during the evening, among whom was a goodly number of the fair sex, whose
smiling countenances and beaming eyes seemed to lend an additional lustre to the
new and brilliant light which they inaugurated with their presence.
The gas has already been introduced into some of the principal buildings,
hotels, churches, &c., and will contrast favorably with the weak and sickly
lights which it is intended to supplant. Its
expense appears to be a scarecrow to many; but when they come to know its value
this objection will speedily disappear. It
is to this cause, no doubt, the failure of its introduction into Natchez may be
attributed, as the question was lately submitted to the popular vote there and
lost. Let us hope, however, that
the day, or rather the night, is not far distant when every business locality of
note along the great "Father of Waters" will emulate the spirited
people of Vicksburg, and exhibit to the traveler that they have a "local
habitation and a name." . . .
Ralpho.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], May 24, 1855 p. 1, c. 5
The Odeocamo.—We would again call attention to the panorama at Armory
Hall, of the Golden State, and the overland route across the plains, mountains
and desert, portraying with wonderful fidelity the beautiful and interesting
scenery of an 8,000 mile trip and the varied and picturesque scenes of the land
of gold, together with all the important mines and ranches of the new and
interesting country. The mines are
seen in all their different operation. The
cities and towns are finely represented. The
entire city of San Francisco is a grand and imposing sight, together with the
bay and the adjacent scenery. The
land and ocean scenes create great admiration, and a sight of them is worth the
price of admission. The burning
forest, a night scene, is truly magnificent; and different tribes of Indians are
well portrayed.
We most cordially recommend our citizens who have not seen this highly
interesting and instructive painting to do so before it leaves the city, which,
we believe, it is the intention of the proprietor it shall do in a few days.
The lecture of Prof. Richardson, we would remark, given during the
exhibition, adds greatly to its interest. His
remarks upon the different scientific subjects are very instructive and present
the panoramic exhibition in a pleasing light.
The topography, geology, botany and zoology of the route are thus
rendered a very interesting accompaniment to the exhibition.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], May 24, 1855 p. 1, c. 7
Arrival of M'me Adolphe.
The original, unsurpassed, and justly celebrated M'me Adolphe, the
universally acknowledged greatest sympathist in the world, and the same
distinguished lady who created, through her marvelous revelations of the past,
the present, as well as the correct predictions of the future, such intense
excitement in England, France and the principal cities of the United States,
that Queen Victoria presented her with a costly Diamond Brooch, and Daniel
Webster with a Jeweled Ring, is now ready to receive visitors at the Western
Verandah Hotel, corner of Julia and Tchoupitoulas street, entrance in Julia
street, four doors from Tchoupitoulas, whom she will inform all about the past,
present and future; if they are married or not, and when or what lady or husband
they will get; or business of every description.
Mysterious and almost impossible as her profession appears, she comes
recommended by so highly respectable and innumerable certificates of
acknowledged power and skill that it precludes all supposition or probability of
deception or imposition, as many others now practice.
Consultation fee from $1 to $3, according to how far they wish to go, or
what time they occupy.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], May 24, 1855 p. 1, c. 7
Gutta Percha Goods
Waterproof, useful and ornamental. These
new fabrics are truly superior, and are gaining favor daily; they are not
affected by changes of temperature, consequently do not get sticky like India
Rubber, they are also free from unpleasant odor.
Warehouse of the N. A. Gutta Percha Company, 45 Common street, New
Orleans.
E. R. Hubey, Sole Agent.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], May 24, 1855 p. 2, c. 5
For Bathing
Dresses,
100 Pieces De Bege,
At One Bit Per yard,
Just opened and selling rapidly at
Simpson's,
116 Canal street.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], May 27, 1855 p. 1, c. 3
(double sheet)
The Divorce mania.—Every little while, we hear of a kind of epidemic
among the married folks, here and there, the symptoms of which disclose
themselves in frantic appeals to the courts for separation.
The Lowell (Mass.) News, last week, noted seven cases of divorce granted
by the Supreme Court, then sitting at that place; and quotes these lines
thereupon:
"Marriage is like a flaming candle light
Placed in a window of a summer night,
Inviting all the insects of the air,
To come and singe their pretty winglets there,
Those that are out but heads against the pane,
And those that are in but to get out again."
A quainter poet long ago put the same idea into these three lines:
"Marriage is such a rabble route,
That they who are out would fain get in,
And they who are in would fain get out!"
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], May 30, 1855 p. 1, c. 6
The Galveston News, of the 26th, has the following paragraphs:
A project is on foot to erect a college at Larissa, Cherokee county.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], May 30, 1855 p. 1, c. 7
M'me Murat Massena, the celebrated Planet Reader, who, by her
extraordinary powers of Divination, her knowledge of the Wonders of the Past and
Mysteries of the Future, is able to unfold events yet in the womb of Time, and
to explain the cause of occurrences that have transpired.
Phrenology and Celestial Palmistry, may be consulted at No. 224 Hercules
street, between Thalia and Melpomene street, from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], June 5, 1855, p. 3, c. 1
Madame Hall, of
Philadelphia,
Female Physician.
Would respectfully inform the ladies of New Orleans that
she has opened rooms for the treatment of diseases peculiar to their sex at No.
112 Carondelet street, where she may be found at all hours, night or day.
Her remedies, attested by many, are the result of years of practice, and
have the sanction of the highest medical authority.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], June 10, 1855, p. 2, c. 1
Would it not be well for the Grand Jury to pay their respects to the
venders of obscene and demoralizing publications in our city?
There are several places where such publications are openly sold.
Nothing is more calculated to corrupt the young than immoral stories and
obscene and indecent prints and publications.
The laws upon this point cannot be too strongly enforced.
The allowing of such works to be placed in the hands of our youths is a
far more serious matter than permitting a magazine of powder to be located in
the heart of the city. The utter
suppression of the sale of such wares as we have alluded to would be a great
public good, and ought to be effected at any cost.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], June 17, 1855, p. 1, c. 6-7
Letter from Mrs. LeVert.
Our Mobile correspondent, "First Private," sends us for
publication the following interesting letter from Mrs. LeVert, which, we need
scarcely say, is addressed to her family remaining at home:
Naples, April 25, 1855.
. . .
April 27th.—Congratulate me, dearest, for I have ascended
Mount Vesuvius! and that, too, on my own proper feet instead of a sedan
chair, as lazy women are. Oh!
I am so proud of my success. Octavia
is quite as much so.
But the ascent was the funniest thing imaginable.
I laughed until tears poured out in a stream. But to begin at the beginning, as Granny used to say, at an
early hour we drove to the hermitage, or last house on the mountain; the road
lay among groves of fruits, and vineyards that grew among masses of lava.
At the hermitage, all took to riding except the Doctor, who would neither
mount a donkey, or ascend the mountain further.
He only came so far, he averred, from conviction that a leg or arm would
be broken in the frolic, and he would spread out his instruments to set it again
in a shady grove hard by. My donkey
rejoiced as a good donkey should whose master—
"Stuck a feather in his cap.
And called him Macaroni."
At the foot of the cone quadrupeds were dismissed, and then ensued a
debate, and a grave one too. It was
feet and guides, versus sedan chair and bearers; but I resolved on a pedestrian
trip, so that I could look about me. So
did Octavia. We started.
Just picture a giant haystack, with a parcel of ants climbing up and
slipping down, but trying it again. The
cone is very steep, about a mile high, and the ground formed of clumsy masses of
lava and scoriae or ashes. But I
had no less than four helps. One
man had hold of either arm, around my waist was a leather strap with a long band
which passed over the shoulder of a third who pulled me all the way, while a
fourth—think of the picture—stood at my back and strenuously assisted in
lightening the load. In front of
all walked the guides to show the best road, while all talked, laughed,
gesticulated and shouted in ceased [sic?] medley.
I could not have walked for merriment, but, assisted as I was, had but to
raise and set down my feet, which was lucky for me.
Every few yards I had to stop, either to laugh with greater ease, or to
enjoy the view. The bay, the city,
the villas, the islands, and the deep blue sea; oh!
it seemed enchantment.
Two or three officers of the Saranac, a Virginia doctor, two other young
Americans, with ourselves, formed the party; and to say nothing of the twelve
assistants and sundry guides, there were two old men with baskets full of
oranges and wine, who made the entire ascent so loaded, with the mere hope of
selling a few carlinas worth. The
two hours ascent did not fatigue me in the slightest degree, and when we reached
the summit and had the clouds beneath our feet, three hearty cheers were given
for America! The very clouds seemed
to favor us, for just above our heads one veiled the hot sun from us, while the
whole world beneath us was flooded with glorious radiance.
The sea looked like frosted silver, and the islands like sapphires set
within it.
The new crater was smoking and hissing like some huge engine. Over the hot lava was passed round to the extinct volcano, as
they deemed it, but where any stick penetrated the lava coat out rushed a stream
of smoke.
The old crater was magnificent; and down, down, down, a thousand feet
below, boiled the great cauldron of Vesuvius.
I stood on the verge. How
solemn the silence of the scene, broken only by the throbs of the great mountain
heart which fluttered and struggled as in its last agony.
We lingered until 4 o'clock, when the wind becoming keenly cold, as it
blew across the banks of snow that lay close even to the fire's mouth, and the
guides counselled a retreat in double quick time.
The descent is by a path of cinders about two feet deep, and the going
down is managed by holding one's self back and allowing the guide to bear you
along. Every step brought me knee
deep in ashes, from amidst which a lava stone would go thundering down the cone
and terrifying all in the path. What
fun it was. My spirits were so
joyous I really regretted our arrival at the base, and fairly sighed to think
there was one lofty and inspiring pleasure for me less in the world.
This cone rises in the extinct crater of Monte Somma, which sent forth
the lava streams and deluge of ashes that destroyed both Herculaneum and
Pompeii, and at its base I once more mounted on my "macaroni" who
picked his steps daintily over the lava, which is here like waves of the sea
suddenly turned to stone.
Once again seated at my hotel window I saluted Vesuvius as an
acquaintance I was proud of making. I
had stood on its summit, and was home again in safety, enchanted and without
fatigue.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], June 21, 1855, p. 2, c. 4
Opium Eating.—Many of the New York papers are calling public attention
to the great increase in the use of opium in that city, and suggest that, as its
effects are not less deleterious than those resulting from the abuse of ardent
spirits, its sale ought to be repressed by law.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], July 3, 1855 (afternoon
edition), p. 1, c. 3
The Amateur Ethiopian Minstrels.—These young gentlemen, who entertained
us so pleasantly last season by their minstrelsy, give another of their
attractive entertainments this evening, at Odd Fellows' Hall. Their programme is varied and well selected, and includes the
droll "Jullien Burlesque" by the whole company, the "Bohemian
Girl" chorus, a burlesque polka, flute and banjo solos, ballad, &c.
The amateurs, we see, design giving a concert for the benefit of the
Bayou Sara sufferers, of which due notice will be given.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], July 6, 1855 (afternoon
edition), p. 1, c. 7
Note: Flag
presentation to Louisiana Grays
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], July 10, 1855, p. 2, c. 6
M'me Facker,
This celebrated Philosopher, Astrologist and Physiognomist, and owner of
the Egyptian Oracles of Fate, respectfully informs the ladies and gentlemen of
New Orleans that her residence is now at the corner of Hevis and Baronne
streets, where she may be consulted by those desiring information on the past,
present and future.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], July 13, 1855, p. 2, c. 3
La Fille du Regiment.—The New York Express says that during the Fourth
of July military review in the Park the spectators were taken back by the
appearance of a young girl marching with the Garde Lafayette, at the side
of one of the officers. Her dress
corresponded in color with that worn by the French soldiers.
She reminded one of Jenny Lind in the "Child of the Regiment."
All eyes were fixed upon her, and she was the subject of much comment.
It is said the father of this girl was a soldier, and the Garde
have adopted her.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], July 13, 1855, p. 3, c. 5
M'me Chaffenel, Somnambulist,
Of a rare lucidity, especially for travels, astronomy,
sickness, commercial matters, and the discover5y of articles lost or stolen,
will hold consultations every day with the aid of a Professor from Paris, at her
residence, No. 39 Orleans street. She
speaks both French and English, and other languages, while in the somnambulic
state. Fee for consultations:
half an hour, $3; an hour, $5.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], July 15, 1855, p. 2, c. 4
Aluminium.—A Paris letter says the Academy of Science will probably
soon announce the success of one of its members in producing the new metal, aluminium,
in abundance, and at a very low price. Hitherto,
the cost, $30 a pound, rendered it very nearly useless, in spite of its many and
admirable qualities. M. Deville is
said to have discovered a means of producing it for $3 a pound.
It is light like glass; white and brilliant like silicia; inoxidable like
gold; maleable like copper; and as easily moulded as lead, as tenacious as iron,
as abundant as clay, and the Academy hopes soon to be a cheap as dirt.
It will be wise to wait for the confirmation of this intelligence, in
which however there is nothing impossible.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], July 19, 1855, p. 2, c. 2
As a procession was passing through the streets of Detroit on the 4th
inst., the members of the Printers' Union, who were in it with a flag and
printing press, were hissed, insulted, and finally attacked by the hands working
in several newspaper offices, opposed to the Union and its rules.
A general riot ensued, which for a time broke up the procession.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], July 19, 1855, p. 2, c. 4
A company of colored men has been organized as militia in Providence, R.
I., and the Legislature has granted them the use of State arms.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], July 19, 1855, p. 2, c. 1
The Young America.—As had been notified, the new fire engine for the
city was taken out for an experiment last evening.
Steam was got up earlier than the time which had been named for the
purpose, and the machine was drawn from its temporary house on St. John street
to the upper side of the New Basin. Four
powerful horses were employed to draw it, and showed that they could manage to
pull it at a trotting pace. On the
route its weight broke one of the bridges on Magnolia street.
Notwithstanding the afternoon was showery, and appearances betokened
heavy rain, large numbers followed the engine, and came up from all quarters to
see it in operation. Instead of
commencing at 5 o'clock, which was generally understood to be the hour, the
experiment was begun shortly after 4 o'clock.
The greater number, consequently, of those who went for the purpose of
seeing it, were, under any circumstances, too late for the commencement, and, as
it happened, too late to see it work at all. People continued to arrive for the purpose of seeing it up to
6 o'clock, and altogether many thousands must have visited the spot.
Even those who were early enough, however, were disappointed, for after a
brief exhibition of its power, one of its air vessels burst, and then its pipe,
a stop being thus put to the experiment. What
was the cause of the accident we could not satisfactorily ascertain.
The engineer who superintended her construction in Cincinnati and her
trial there was managing her. We
are informed that the damage sustained is easily repairable, and a successful
trial at an early day may be expected.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], July 19, 1855, (afternoon edition) p. 1, c. 4
Great Fire!
Verandah Hotel
Destroyed, with All
the Stores
Beneath, and Others Ad-
jacent—Great
Success of the Steam
Fire Engine.
. . . We have left till the last all notice of the steam
fire engine, which did essential service on the occasion, and more than polished
off the slight tarnish that the accidents which occurred to her yesterday had
put upon her. As soon as the [fire]
broke out, immediate efforts were made to put her in working order,
notwithstanding the engineer had cut his foot badly with a piece of broken
bottle; and there was considerable doubt with many whether she could be put into
safe and working order at all within any reasonable time.
After about two hours effort, however, she was put into such a trim that
she could be used, and she was ready to go out shortly after 4 o'clock. Her own horses not being here, however, others from the
various companies had to be picked up to send for her; and this being done, it
took 23 minutes to get her from the engine-house on St. John street to the fire,
to get steam up, and to get three streams forced from her on the fire—one of
the streams being 1 ˝ inch, and the other two an inch each—exactly 23
minutes.
She was on the ground by half-past 4 o'clock, and shortly afterwards
relieved all the hand engines, and kept the fire under herself, ultimately
working four streams. The engine
worked admirably, and threw her streams with a force and steadiness most
gratifying and effective, although she had on a steam pressure of only
forty-four pounds to the square inch, instead of one hundred and twenty pounds,
her regular power; the small power being used for bursting the hose, &c.
As it was, the old hose repeatedly burst with the force of the stream
sent through them, and the strength of them was something almost startling,
though not likely exactly to break a leg on striking against it. Yet indirectly it was not far from causing such an accident
here as it did in Cincinnati.
Here, as there, the pipe once slipped from the hands of those holding it,
and away it swung with a force that sent some thirty or perhaps fifty sprawling
in the gutters! and one of them on
rising was actually thrown off his legs again by the force with which the stream
struck him, and again he fell!
The engineer who managed her deserves credit for the constancy with which
he worked her from the moment he set about getting her repaired till 11 o'clock
this morning, when the engine stopped playing.
The injury on his foot was such as might have excused him; but he worked
on to the end.
Altogether, the steam fire engine has, therefore, this morning achieved
great success. We may have further
particulars in the morning. . . .
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], July 22, 1855, p. 2, c. 1
Music Put to Practical Purposes.—We see it stated in a Northern paper
that an enterprising Yankee mechanic has completed an invention, by which the
steam whistles attached to railroad cars can be made to "discourse sweet
music" instead of the frightful screams and shrieks that now render them
such abominable nuisances. Certainly
a great improvement this.
For example, suppose you are a young married man, and are suddenly called
to leave the endearments of home for business elsewhere. You get into the cars, in a pensive humor; the bell gives the
parting tinkle; the wheels rumble slowly out of the depot; and at that moment
the patent whistle strikes up "Oh Susannah! don't you cry for me!"
Is there not something peculiarly consoling in the idea?
Farther on, some foolish fellow is seen walking on the track, just ahead
of the cow-catcher. Immediately he
hears, "Get out o' the way, ole Dan Tucker!" from the whistle, and
starts from his perilous position as promptly as from the hiss of a rattlesnake,
and still not without being somewhat exhilarated by the incident.
Again, a dog is run over; the thing is inevitable; such little
occurrences are always taking place on the best regulated rails; there is some
consolation in hearing the whistle pipe up "Poor Dog Tray!: as a
complimentary requiem. When not
otherwise employed, a great variety of appropriate airs suggest themselves; the
night rain, for instance, as it dashes on through the mirk, might soliloquize,
"We won't go home till morning!"
And now the young married man, before supposed, has completed the
business that took him from his friends, and is returning to the bosom of his
family. As he nears the spot where
are garnered up all his affections, and the speed of the locomotive begins to
slacken, how touchingly appropriate would be the exultant air of 'Home, sweet
home!" whistled out with a forty-horse pathos.
On great national holidays the engines could make the air, as they passed
along, most patriotically vocal with "Hail, Columbia," "The Star
Spangled Banner," and "Yankee Doodle;" and on Sundays, they could
whistle "psalms and hymns and spiritual songs," in accordance with the
solemnity of the day.
A great invention this! May
it be as universally adopted as that of the rail itself.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], July 24, 1855, p. 2, c. 3
The New Steam Fire
Engine.
"Young
America" Triumphant.
If the performance of the new steam fire engine, at the conflagration of
the Verandah Hotel, left any possible room to doubt its perfect adequacy to the
accomplishment of its design, the experiment made by it yesterday afternoon must
have had the effect of dissipating such doubt from the most incredulous mind.
It was, beyond all cavil, most completely successful.
At 4 o'clock crowds began to assemble on and around the Neutral Ground.
The balconies on Canal street, and the windows and roofs of the houses
and stores overlooking the square between Chartres and Camp and Magazine
streets, gradually filled up with spectators of both sexes, while the street
itself literally thronged with people. The
large stage erected for the late political meeting there was covered with
lookers-on, and the whole presented quite a holiday scene.
In the centre of the crowd, "the cynosure of neighboring eyes,"
stood the hero of the day, the gaily painted, saucy-looking machine, "Young
America," occupying a position
exactly on the trottoir, between the two curbs of the Camp and Chartres
crossing. Mr. Chief Wingfield was
early on the spot, with a strong detachment of our gallant firemen, and a square
was soon formed, in the midst of which preparations were made for the promised
exhibition.
Just as operations commenced, we observed Moissenet bringing to bear his
photographic apparatus upon the scene, which was indeed one fully worthy of
being limned.
At 5 o'clock exactly, the process of raising steam commenced, and in
eight minutes from the moment of the first appearance of smoke from the pipe
steam was produced. Under the
direction of Mr. Blair, the competent superintendent of the Water Works, an
eight-inch hydrant had been let into the main that runs along Chartres and Camp,
at a point exactly midway in Canal street, to which the hose for the supply of
the engine was attached. To this
hydrant, some few inches below the surface, was attached a stop-cock for the
regulation of the head of water, and that was worked by an iron crank. This hydrant was found amply sufficient to supply any amount
of water that could possibly be demanded.
Two hose, one an inch and the other two inches, were attached to the
machine, and in about ten or twelve minutes from the time the fire was kindled
they began to play. They continued
in very successful operation some five minutes, when it was discovered that
"there was a screw loose somewhere."
We are not sufficiently au fait with mechanical matters to explain
what screw it was. But though an
important one, it seems to have been easily repaired or replaced; for after the
lapse of a brief space, a new head of steam was raised, and the engine
recommenced operations, and for some three quarters of an hour, without any
further "let or hindrance," continued to operate to the mingled
delight and astonishment, as well as to the fullest and most apparent
satisfaction of everybody.
It was not so much the height or the distance to which the water was
thrown, (though the enormous jets were propelled both upwards and horizontally,
to a great extent,) as the great body and volume, mass and bulk of water which,
continuously, for forty-five minutes, were ejected from the pipes, that
surprised us. The force with which
this was propelled was of that magnitude, that the jet continued unbroken and
entire, until it fell like a cataract, in full volume, and in a dense heavy mass
"upon the place beneath." It
must be impossible that any considerable proportion of so much water thrown with
such force and in such a compact body, could be converted into vapor by coming
within the influence of the flames, as we often see is the case, at fires.
It must descend in almost, if not quite all its bulk, upon the raging
element and cause its speedy extinction.
A thunder shower coming over, and the clouds, as if envious of so
successful a competitor beginning to take a part in the game, "Young
America" blew his shrill whistle, opened his furnace doors, and stopped off
"the doctor;" seeming to be very well satisfied that he had fully
vindicated his title to be considered one of the greatest and most useful
inventions of the age, and to have well established his footing in the Crescent
City.
And in this, we must say, we are prepared most cordially to agree with
him.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], August 4, 1855, p. 2, c.
1
More of Pomona's Gifts.—We received yesterday afternoon from Mr. A.
Astredo, of 16 Royal street, which it is well worth the while of every lover of
nature and her luxurious stores to visit, a basket of the most superb fruit we
have seen, as yet, this season:
"A group of fairest fruit, that downy smiled,
New gathered, and ambrosial smell diffused,"
and the taste we found quite equal to the deliciousness of
the perfume.
These pomiferous treasures came from the vicinity of Vicksburg, whence
Mr. Astredo expects to be constantly supplied during the season. Among them we found fine specimens of luscious Seckel and
Bartlett pears, of a superb variety called the Emperor, and one of the Dutch
Mandolin kind; also, a ponderous individual of the winter species, and a noble
apple pear, promising to be in full ripeness in the early autumn.
Then there were some choice golden apples, those which the famed
"Hesperian fruit" could not outshone; and by way of pleasing contrast,
a Sicilian orange, of a yet deeper yellow hue.
Of peaches there was quite a cluster, in which were specimens of the New
York red and yellow freestone, and the deep blood red, and the Indian
freestones, all most delicate to the eye, the smell and the taste; and
surmounting the luxurious pyramid were some bunches of the purple Isabella, and
the white sweet water grapes.
Altogether, it was a goodly show and a grateful feast of the goodly
things of the season, and we hope our friend, the fruiterer of Royal street,
will find his account in the laudable enterprise he has undertaken.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], August 12, 1855, p. 1, c.
6
Paris, Thursday, July 19, 1855.
. . . A regiment of Zouaves is now quartered here in Paris,
and the men attract much attention, especially among the throngs of foreigners.
You are doubtless well aware that the dress or uniform of this celebrated
corps was brought from Algiers, and that it is a species of mongrel moorish rig
from head to foot. The troops first
arrayed in this way were called, I believe les Indigenes, and they were
made up mostly of renegade Arabs or Algerines.
The costume is outlandish, and no one would certainly take the wearers of
it for Christians at first sight. A
body of Zouaves undoubtedly present a military appearance, but the poor devils
who compose it, taken individually, are sorry looking subjects, especially of a
hot day. I saw a dozen of them
during the recent warm weather, chattering in front of a wine shop, the hot sun
fairly cooking their exposed heads and faces, and could not help thinking of the
cruelty as well as absurdity of rigging out soldiers in such a style. It would not be a whit more ridiculous were we in the United
States, after a successful Indian campaign, to add a new corps to our army,
dress the men after the fashion of the red skins, get a few Kickapoos or
Arapahoes to join, and term them les Aborigines.
The costume of the Zouave is clumsy, or at least gives him a clumsy
appearance. It consists of a pair
of loose, baggy trowsers, gathered in below the knee, and resembling an ill cut
petticoat at a short distance, while they are flopping about at every movement.
A jacket of a jaunty cut is the only redeeming feature of the uniform,
for the head gear has no more beauty, and affords no more protection to the
upper works of the wearer, than would an old skillet with the handle broken off.
Sun and rain, heat and cold, must beat upon his devoted skull with all
their force; in a hot climate you would think that all who did not drop dead on
the first day from sunstroke, would be carried off within a week from brain
fever. Our soldiers suffered severe
in Mexico, and especially in the tierras calientes, while marching under
their close-fitting fatigue caps; but the visors of these caps at least kept a
portion of the fierce rays of the sun from blinding the eyes, even if they did
not shade the noses and faces of the wearers.
But the poor Zouave has nothing to protect even his forehead; he must
grin and bear every thing. I will
admit that the gaudily braided jacket, the loose red trowsers, and the turban or
Fez cap may give him an appearance oriental and picturesque to an extent; to
gain this he is doomed to suffer.
After a while I presume that the Zouave may become used to his outlandish
toggery, for we can all accustom ourselves to the most unhandy fashion; but it
has always struck me that a Shanghai rooster, essaying his first lesson in the
Schottish, could not look more awkward, or move with more grace than a Frenchman
on first encasing himself in these loose, flapping trowsers. A regiment of our people, arrayed after the fashion of the
Sioux, Cheyennes, or Pawnees, would at least have more personal liberty; a pair
of moccasins, a blanket, and the other simple fixings of a Western savage, would
leave the limbs free, a thick coat of yellow ochre and vermillion, laid in
stripes upon the face, would give a ferocious and warlike, if not picturesque
expression; while a single feather made fast to the end of a solitary tuft of
hair, would afford as much protection to the face and eyes as the Zouave gets,
if not more. But perhaps I have
already said too much upon a subject of trifling importance, and I will stop. .
. .
Yours, &c., G. W. K.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], August 17, 1855
(afternoon edition), p. 1, c. 3
A Splendid Horticultural Display.—We received yesterday, from Mr.
Anthony Astredo, dealer in fruits, adjoining the Post Office on Royal street, a
spacious basket of ripe and luscious fruits, elegantly arranged.
The centre was a fragrant citron, from the garden of Mr. A. A. Maginnis,
at Ocean springs, around which were tastily disposed golden apples, St.
Stephen's freestone peaches, red clingstones, Bartlett and citron pears, Muscat
and Scuppernong grapes, alligator pears, Sicilian oranges and ripe bananas.
It was delightful to look upon, and delicious to the palate.
Mr. Astredo has at his place some pine apple trees growing in tubs, with
the ripe fruit on them ready for the plucking.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], August 20, 1855, p. 1, c.
7
[Police reports, Third District]
Mannish.—Sophia Hartman is one of the strong-minded, and does not think
even the Bloomer style quite significant enough of the strength within her. She, therefore, donned a complete suit of unadulterated
masculinity; but Sergeant Johnston, not liking her appearance in it, insisted on
her gong with him to await Recorder Seuzeneau's opinions and judgment on the
subject.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], August 23, 1855, p. 2, c.
1
Rifle and Infantry Tactics.—The Secretary of the War Department, at
Washington, has given his imprimatur to the system of tactics for Light
Infantry and Riflemen, as prepared for the Department by Brevet Lieut. Col. Wm.
J. Hardee, of the Cavalry, and as approved by the President of the United
States. It is adopted for the
instruction of the troops of the United States when acting as Light Infantry or
Riflemen, and under the act of Congress of May 12, 1820, for the observance of
the militia when so employed.
It has been very handsomely got out in two neat pocket 16 mo. volumes, by
Lippincott, of Philadelphia, and the text is illustrated profusely and
intelligibly by well executed engravings. Volume
one contains the schools of the soldier and the company, with instruction for
skirmishers, and volume two the school of the battalion.
This manual, it strikes us, is the most perfect and faithful of its kind,
and doubtless will be universally adopted throughout the Union.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], August 24, 1855
(afternoon edition), p. 1, c. 5
A Noble Young Lady.—Some days ago, we mentioned that the Mayor of
Norfolk, Va., had received a letter from a young lady in Syracuse, N. Y.,
tendering her services as a nurse to the sick, and offering to defray her own
expenses. It now appears that the
young lady has arrived at Norfolk and commenced nursing.
The Richmond Despatch, of Saturday last, says:
Miss Lucy E. Andrews, of Syracuse, N. Y., arrived in Norfolk on Thursday
morning, and tendered her service to his Honor the Mayor as a nurse in the
hospital. Miss A. is a very pretty
young lady. His Honor promptly
accepted her services, and as promptly escorted her down to Julappi, where she
was duly installed. Miss A. made a
contribution to the Howard fund.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], August 25, 1855, p. 2, c.
1
The Verbena Plant and Yellow Fever.
Some years ago we published an article descriptive of the alleged virtues
of the plant "Verbena Braziliansis," as a remedy for yellow fever;
information with regard to which had been transmitted officially to the United
States in the shape of a letter to Secretary Marcy by the United States Charge'
d'Affaires at Caracas, in Venezuela, Mr. J. Nevitt Stelle, in a communication
dated March 8th, 1853. This
information was obtained by our Charge' d'Affaires from the British Acting
Consul General at Caracas, who received the same in a private letter from the
British Vice Consul at Ciudad Bolivar.
The remedy is simply the juice of the pounded leaves of the verbena,
given in small doses three times a day, and injections of the same every two
hours until the bowels are emptied.
Mr. Henry Lawrence, of this city, has the seeds of this plant, and the
plant itself, on sale.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], August 26, 1855, p. 2, c.
2
Proficiency at West Point.—We recently heard, from the lips of one of
the Board of visitors at West Point, a fact which illustrates the remarkable
proficiency of the pupils of the institution, not only in their studies but in
the practical part of military duty. The
annual examination this year lasted for seventeen days, and it is customary at
the close of each day for the students to give a practical illustration of the
sciences upon which they have been examined.
Thus, when the examination of the day was upon gunnery, there would be
practice with the guns at the close; military movements to be illustrated by the
cadets acting as a corps; and the art of horsemanship would be practically
exemplified by exercise in the riding school, &c. On one day there had been an examination in engineering and
road building, and the Board of Visitors were invited to proceed to the river at
half-past 5 in the afternoon to witness a practical illustration of the
examination. At the word of command
the cadets proceeded to construct a bridge from timbers prepared for the
purpose, and in twenty-four minutes a bridge one hundred and fifty feet long,
extending into the Hudson and rising on pontoons where the water was deep, had
been put together and made passable for artillery and troops. The cadets were then required to take up the bridge.
The bridge was taken down and the various timbers of which it was
composed piled up again in an orderly manner, so as to be ready to be put up
again in an equally short space of time. This
was accomplished in exactly nine minutes. Upon
inquiry it was ascertained that the bridge used upon this occasion was one which
was in the train of Gen. Scott in his celebrated march to the city of Mexico.
[Boston Journal.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], August 28, 1855, p. 2, c.
5
Fireman's Riot in Baltimore.—A sanguinary riot occurred in Baltimore
among the firemen, on the night of the 18th inst., in which a number
of the rioters were wounded, some mortally, it is supposed.
The Baltimore Patriot, of the 20th, says:
It seems that, by previous concert, the New Market and United Companies
were to attack the Mount Vernon Hook and Ladder Company, to gratify some feeling
of animosity between them which has for some time past required the utmost
vigilance on the part of the police to prevent breaking out into riot. The New Market Company, it is said, gave a false alarm, to
which the Mount Vernon responded, and they came into collision on Franklin
street, between Eutaw and Howard, when perhaps fifty shots were discharged and
brick-bats thrown in every direction, apparently without any regard to
consequences. The contest lasted
but a short time, but, brief as it was, it is amazing that there was not a
greater destruction of human life. The
number of the wounded is not accurately known.
A young man by the name of Charles Ellis, a member of the United Company,
received, it is supposed, a mortal shot, accidentally, as the shot was fired by
a member of the same company. A
young man by the name of Kemp, who resides in Franklin street, also received, it
is supposed, a fatal shot. It is
stated that he was only a looker-on, not a participant in the riot.
It is supposed that there were some twenty persons seriously wounded
whose names are not known. The
rioting was not confined to the western section of the city, nor to the two
companies named. At the corner of Baltimore and High streets there w3as a
sharp encounter between the Vigilant and Lafayette Companies, but they were
separated by the prompt intervention of the police before any serious
consequences resulted to either party. Another
attempt at riot was made by the last mentioned companies at 3 o'clock on Sunday
morning, but it was also prevented. Several
arrests have been made, and a further examination is to be had into this
disgraceful affair.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], August 29, 1855, p. 2, c.
2
An Octagon Settlement.—A company has been formed in New York to settle
a township in Kansas on the octagon plan. Each
farm house to front on an octagon green or park, and the farm enclosure to run
in the rear of each house, between roads, and radiating from the centre at the
angles of the central octagon—the whole ultimately forming an octagon town.
Already four thousand shares at five dollars each have been taken in a
company on this plan. The capital
of the company is employed in the purchase of machinery, implements and other
facilities for farming and building, so as to secure to all the settlers by
co-operation the advantages of large capital in commencing their operations.
Men of no capital pay for their shares by their labor.
The pioneer party to select a site is about to start from New York.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], August 29, 1855, p. 2, c.
4
The paper mill of Mr. W. S. Whiteman, about eight miles from Nashville,
was destroyed by fire on Wednesday morning last.
It was an extensive and valuable establishment, complete in all its
appointments, and in most successful operation.
Mr. W. was insured to the amount of $14,000.
The fire broke out in the rag room.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], August 30, 1855, p. 2, c.
1
Mr. White, whose paper mill, about eight miles from Nashville, was
destroyed by fire on the 22d inst., estimated his loss, besides insurance, at
$2,800. He intends to commence
building a new mill on a larger scale.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], August 30, 1855
(afternoon edition), p. 1, c. 3
Fine Fruit.—We received this morning from Mr. Conrad Streeder, the well
known dealer in fruit, 110 St. Charles street, near Lafayette Square, a basket
of remarkably fine pears, mammoth (good for preserving) Bartlett, Buerre Diel
and sugar pears. We never saw nor
tasted finer or more delicious fruit of the kind.
We understand these pears were brought from Col. Hebron's La Grange
Nursery, in Warren county, Miss., who has about 300 acres of land in fruit
cultivation. Those who wish to
obtain some of these pears must send to Streeder's at once, for he assures us he
has received the last lot for the season.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], August 31, 1855, p. 2, c.
1
Death of a Colored Volunteer.—Among our obituary notices this morning
will be found one recording the death of William Savage, one of the three
colored musicians who served in the Washington Regiment of Louisiana Volunteers
in Gen. Persifor Smith's brigade.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], August 31, 1855, p. 2, c.
4
Ordnance Experiments.—Rockets.—The National Intelligencer, of the 23d
inst., says:
Some experiments were made at the arsenal yesterday with a view to
determine the merits of a rocket lately introduced by Mr. Robert Hale (son of
the inventor of the rockets known by that name) over those which have been
adopted in the United States service since 1847.
The firing commenced with the improved rocket, which we understand from
its construction is not liable to the erratic flight often taken by rockets.
Two were fired from an iron stand, at an elevation of ten degrees, and
preserved a good direction throughout their entire flight, striking the water at
twelve hundred yards and ricochetting to the end of the range.
Four were then fired at fifteen degrees, ranging from two thousand to
twenty-two hundred yards; and, lastly, two at twenty degrees, ranging not less
than twenty-five hundred yards. These
rockets were 12 pounders.
Four of the rockets on the old plan, which had been prepared in the
Arsenal some years ago, were afterwards fired.
One, at ten degrees, struck the water about four hundred yards distant,
very much to the left of the object fired at; the second at the same elevation,
mounted a great deal and ranged direct for the object to eight hundred yards.
One at twenty degrees ranged one thousand yards, and one at thirty-five
degrees eighteen hundred yards.
The superiority of the rocket lately introduced appears from the trial to
consist in greater certainty in the line of flight and longer range,
particularly in those fired at low degrees of elevation.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], August 31, 1855
(afternoon edition), p. 1, c. 3
The Beaver Island Mormons.—Beaver Island, Lake Michigan, is said to
contain 800 Mormons, mostly females. Six
years ago there were but thirty. The
women wear the bloomer costume, and many of them are said to be well educated.
A large number are from the factory districts of England.
Some come with much money. They
are absconded wives, daughters, &c. Strange,
the chief of the tribe, is described as an educated Philadelphia lawyer, whose
lawful wife resides in Wisconsin. He
publishes a newspaper, and is postmaster, a member of the Michigan Legislature,
and an important man among the Cass Democracy.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], August 31, 1855(afternoon
edition), p. 1, c. 6
Foreign Cattle.—A Mr. R. A. Alexander of Woodford, Ky., has visited all
the herds of short-horn cattle in England, lately, and shipped for this country
forty-eight of the best animals selected therefrom, as also twenty-two Southdown
sheep. He is said to be the largest
importer of short-horn cattle in America, and every year he spends several
months in England, to attend the fairs there and purchase the best animals.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], August 31, 1855(afternoon
edition), p. 1, c. 7
The Sanitary Power of Charcoal.—The London correspondent of the Boston
Post, in his letter of August 10, says:
The sanitary powers of charcoal are making some noise in the medical
world, and Dr. Stenhouse, the chemist at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, has
recently devoted much attention to the deodorizing powers and disinfectant
properties of charcoal. This
gentleman now invites the public to an examination of his experiments.
An atmosphere rendered highly offensive by putrefactive decomposition
going on within the chamber in which it is confined, is drawn through charcoal
filters, by means of a rotating fan machine, and is passed into an apartment
adjoining. Although this air is
disgustingly foetid, it flows out into the room perfectly free from smell.
The remarkable property which charcoal has of condensing within its pores
large quantities of the foetid gases, is greatly increased by a process of
platinizing the charcoal. This invention is worthy of attention to all interested in
the public health, and if what is ascribed to it is true, it will become an
efficient power in destroying one of the great agents of disease.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], August 31, 1855(afternoon
edition), p. 1, c. 5
The Cleveland Grays had a parade on the 16th inst., in which a
custom of the French army was introduced. Two
beautiful young girls dressed in the uniform of the company, with short-skirted
dresses, marched one on each side of the ensign, carrying each a basket with
rags for the wounded, and a cask (of brandy it is supposed) for the fatigued and
fainting soldiers.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], August 31, 1855(afternoon
edition), p. 1, c.5
A Baby Establishment.—The usual establishment for an eldest landed baby
is two wet nurses, two ditto dry, two aunts, two physicians, two apothecaries,
three female friends of the family, unmarried, advanced in life; and often in
the nursery, one clergyman, six flatterers and a grandpapa!
Less than this would not be decent—Sidney Smith.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], August 31, 1855(afternoon
edition), p. 3, c. 1
Cotton Yarns—60 bales Madison Factory for sale by
E. G. Rogers & Co.,
72 Poydras street.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], September 6, 1855, p. 2,
c. 1
The sea serpent hoax, got up by the ingenious people living near Silver
Lake, New York, has been quite successful in attracting crowds of persons to the
hotels there to get a glimpse of the monster.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], September 9, 1855, p. 2,
c. 1
The Howard Association.—WE learn with much pleasure that it was
resolved at the meeting of this Association held last evening, in consequence of
the further distressing news from Norfolk, Va., to send twenty more nurses to
attend to the suffering sick there.
We are glad to see the Association thus prompt in attending to the calls
made upon it for aid, and earnestly hope that it may find means to continue the
good work. Ever since the terrible
summer of 1853 it has been engaged in it almost without cessation, and in almost
all points in the South. The
consequence of this cannot but have been a heavy reduction of its resources,
dictating the necessity of a prudential reserve for home purposes in case it
should unhappily be required, and efforts to procure the command of further
means. At present a number of
members of the Association are absent from the city engaged in their "labor
of love," and heavy expenses are being incurred. In this city the society has been ministering to the wants of
sufferers since the latter end of July last, with their office open at all times
to all comers, and members of the society exerting themselves actively in their
behalf. Further calls continue to
be made on the society, and if these are all to be attended to, it will be
necessary that further means be provided for the purpose.
This we have no doubt will be done when the occasion arises, and we
mention it only by way6 of anticipation.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], September 9, 1855, p. 2,
c. 5
Nurses Wanted.—The Howard Association advertises in another column for
twenty nurses. They are wanted at
the office by 10 o'clock this morning, to leave for Norfolk by the mail boat.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], September 10, 1855
(afternoon edition), p. 1, c. 3
Ricardo and His Nurses.—A Norfolk correspondent of the Baltimore Sun
says:
Ricardo, of New Orleans, and his gallant party of doctors and nurses are
doing noble service. They are an
unique organization, and I cannot help telling you a peculiarity of Ricardo,
who, as you know, is a whole-souled Southerner.
He calls his nurses the "French Artillery," and has them in as
good discipline as you ever saw a military company. They sit together at the hospital at the old City Hotel, and
the instant he calls for one he or she rises and answers, and immediately
bundles up and travels to the place designated.
I never saw such a system.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], September 10, 1855 (afternoon edition), p. 1, c. 4
The Fever at
Norfolk.
[Special
Correspondence of the Picayune.]
Norfolk, September 1, 1855.
We arrived here on Thursday, in just five days from New Orleans. A delegation from Savannah had also arrived.
We found every thing in confusion—the Board of Health and the Council
broken up and their duties abandoned. The
Howard Association are doing their best. The
stores and all places of business of every kind are closed.
The fever is still raging with great violence, the oldest and most
respectable families being taken down with it, as well as others. If we had brought on fifty nurses that would not have been
half enough. We have already a
hospital fitted up, at the old City Hotel.
Louisiana, Carolina and Georgia have their different wards.
We also have made arrangements for attending outside.
I have never seen any thing like the state of things here.
When it will stop God only knows. We
are, as I have said, doing our best, night and day.
As soon as we get matters systematized, fuller accounts will be
forwarded. At present we find it
almost impossible to tell who are dead or who are sick. Our friends at
home will understand that we have not time to write to all, but send this to you
so that all can read it.
Yours,
Ricardo.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], September 12, 1855
(afternoon edition), p. 1, c. 7
Saratoga Sketchings.—A correspondent of the Fayetteville (N.C.)
Observer, writing from the great Northern watering place during fashion's high
'change there, has some suggestive sketches, of which we cull a few for our
reader's entertainment:
The company—at least the female portion—is every year becoming more
gay and fashionable. I never saw
any thing like the brilliancy of the style of dressing of the ladies. The colors
are so flaunting, but the material is rich, elegant and costly.
We see nothing like it, happily, in our backwoods portion of the world.
There is understood to be a spirited rivalry at the hotel where I stop
between two New York ladies, (one the wife of a patent medicine man who has
accumulated his million by making his pills and bitters, the other of an
architect) for the pre-eminence in dressing.
One of them is said to wear $20,000 worth of jewelry alone when in full
dress; and her child's wardrobe (an infant in the arms) is reported to have cost
$7,000. Children partake of the
passion for dress and extravagance generally; and those from four to ten years
old are the best dancers who figure at the evening quadrilles, waltzes and
polkas. They live fast. There are no children properly so called, in fashionable
society here—they are all young gentlemen and young ladies. A little boy of ten years old was overheard the other day
saying to another with whom he was playing:
"I like you, I wish to cultivate your acquaintance when I get home.
If you will give me your address, I will call on you when I get to New
York." this actual occurrence shows that the pictures of Young
America in the back leaves of Harper's Magazine are not caricatures, as we have
been in the habit of thinking, but are true to life.
Will the ladies pardon me for one more word, revealing one of the secrets
of their craft? Certainly.
Well: A Southern lady asked
a Northern lady how they managed to fix their hair—the glory of the woman—so
handsomely? The reply was that the
hairdresser comes every day (except Sunday) and does it up for two dollars a
week. Well, but how do you manage
when you lie down to take your siesta, or on Saturday night?
Oh, we lie very carefully on our backs, so as not to derange the hair!
There's a secret worth knowing!
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], September 12, 1855
(afternoon edition), p. 2, c. 3
Forty nurses have been sent by the Howard Association of Charleston to
Norfolk.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], September 22, 1855 (afternoon edition), p. 1, c. 3
Letter from
Cullum's Springs.
[Special
Correspondence of the Picayune.]
Cullum's Springs, Choctaw Co., Ala.
}
September
17, 1855.
}
I reached this charming watering place five days ago, by the fine little
steamer Jeannette, Capt. Baldwin, from Mobile.
On my arrival I found a large company of visitors, chiefly from New
Orleans and the interior of Louisiana. The
popular host, Charley Cullum, seems to be in excellent health and spirits.
He has had a capital season, and has grown in public favor.
I really cannot say too much in praise of Cullum's Springs. The hotel is admirably kept.
Every thing is clean and neat; the fare is good and abundant, and the
waters of the various springs deliciously invigorating.
I have not yet gone over to "Old Bladon," which is kept by
Messrs. Cornor & Wooten, but intend paying them a visit to-morrow or next
day. Their establishment, too, has
been crowded all summer, and still entertains a great population. Louisianians are also there in considerable numbers.
This is as it should be. Let
Southern people support Southern enterprise, whether in the line of hotel
keeping, or of manufactures, agriculture or education.
Let the South support the South. This
is all we want. But I did not
sit down to write about these things.
I have said this is a charming watering place, and truly it is so.
Besides the romantic scenery—the hills and dales, the little brooks,
the flowing springs and the fields of grain—there is every facility for the
gratification of the sportman's ambition, which to me is charm A No. 1.
The whole country round about the Springs is alive with game.
Deer, wild turkies, quail and squirrels are in great abundance, and the
hunter need not travel far to meet with either. Yesterday, whilst several of the boarders were seated in
front of the house, they saw a covy of birds—some fifteen or twenty—run
across the road inside of the enclosure, not a hundred yards off. They huddled up together within a distance of fifteen steps
of the road, almost as chickens would. It
is not permitted to shoot within the pickets, so all that I could do was to let
"Ponto' point them a few minutes, after which I flushed them.
It was hard work to restrain myself, and had "mine host" been
at the "Red Sulphur,"* I think I should have bagged a few.
Even now, as I am writing this, I hear in the fields close by, the round,
smooth whistle of the old birds. the
broods of young ones are now about fully grown, and in a week the shooting will
become general.
I should not, however, confine myself to this topic, as there are many
other means for the amusement of visitors.
there are fine walks and rides, ten pins and bathing, with dancing
regularly every night, (Sundays, of course, excepted.)
In all of these the ladies take their full share.
From the earliest moments of morning to the witching hour of night,"
the dwellers at Cullum's are stir and constantly on the "go."
There is no news here; therefore I can send you none.
Everybody is well. those who
came sick have all recovered, or nearly so, and there is not a case of illness
at all serious. The Vichy, the
Chalybeate, the Sulphur (not the "Red") Springs, are just so many
Siloams, except that the diseased need not get into them, but only partake of
their healing waters to be "made whole."
The mail arrangements for this post office (Bladon Springs) are very
indifferent, and were it not for the consideration and courtesy of the
postmaster at Mobile, people at the Springs would hardly ever get their letters
and newspapers. The boats arrive
only occasionally and not always regularly, and they do not bring the mails. There is a horseback kind of a concern that pretends to carry
the "bags," but it is not to be relied upon. Three times a week—Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays—a
stage from the Springs connects with the railroad (Mobile and Ohio,) by which
conveyance the postmaster at Mobile very considerately and kindly sends the
letters and papers that may be in his office for persons here. Thus we are sure of hearing from New Orleans and Mobile three
times in a week. I need not tell
you that the Picayune is looked for anxiously by many of your readers here
whenever the stage comes in.
There was a bit of fun here a day or two since, in which I found myself
quite innocently mixed up, which, if I do not occupy too much of your valuable
space, I shall try briefly to detail. You
know that Mobile boats of her wags and practical jokers.
One of these gentry, a certain Capt. H. P. E_____n, was here, and of
course was the originator of the sport. He
has since "traveled," and for the information of his friends and
correspondents, I will state that he has changed his name to that of Riley—H.
P. Riley, in future. I had thought
it was necessary, in order to change one's name, that the Legislature of the
State should give the authority; but that body is not yet in session, and as
"necessity knows no law," the gentleman in question assumed the
"responsibility." Well,
the facts in the case are these: A
fellow from the back woods came to Cullum's, riding a pineywood's pony, and
having a tanned sheep's skin attached to his saddle.
He "hitched" his "cretur" in the shade of a sapling,
and scorning anything as mild as the Vichy, straightway made tracks for the
"Red Sulphur," whose waters he imbibed quite freely.
After a half dozen or so of drinks from his favorite spring, he showed
symptoms of drowsiness. (It is
singular to see the effects of this red water on some persons; sleepiness is
generally the effect it produces.) Night
came on, and there still stood the "cretur" under the sapling. But no one could find the rider.
Search was made, and late at night he was discovered in a dry ditch by
the road side, wrapped closely in the embrace of Morpheus.
He had on a pair of spurs then, but when morning light appeared,
those appendages had disappeared, and so, also, had the tanned sheep's skin.
The pony was unhitched and grazing about the grassy yard of the hotel,
with the bridle reins about his feet and legs.
I was up by daybreak and off with my gun and "Ponto" after
game, and on my return the fun had been commenced.
Whilst in my cabin, with the door closed, making my toilet for breakfast,
I was started by a loud halloo and sharp rap on my steps!
I said, at once, "Who's there?"
"Can I come in?" replied a strange voice.
"What do you want—who are you?" I demanded.
"Southerland; can I come in?"
"Certainly, why don't you open the door and enter?"
But who is Southerland? thought I. The
door was opened, and in stalked a tall, rough-looking customer, without a coat,
but with a formidable hickory stick in hand.
I was tying my shoes at the moment, and looking up saw my visitor as I
have described him. Taking a seat
very coolly, he said, "Good mornin', Mister."
"Good morning, sir," I answered. He said nothing for some moments, and during the silence that
prevailed I was wondering what had brought the stranger to my cabin.
He peered mysteriously and inquiringly about the room, glancing at the
corners and under the bed, and altogether his manner was so remarkable that it
was some satisfaction to me to know that I was between him and my double-barrel,
which stood close by, ready loaded.
At length Mr. Southerland broke the silence by inquiring: "You ain't seen nothin' of ary sheep skin—a tanned
one—any where abouts here, have you?"
"No, sir, I have not." "Well,
you ain't had ary one about you nowheres, have you?'
"No. I have neither
seen, nor had a sheep's skin this morning.
Why do you ask?" I said rather sharply. "What mout your name
be, Mister," continued the fellow. "My
name is Beans!" "That's
it—that's the name," said Southerland.
"What do you mean, sir?" I asked with some astonishment and no
less vexation. "That's
it—that's the name he told me, and he told me you was in the last cabin but
one in this row." "Who is
he?" "Riley." "What did he tell you?" "Why, he said he seed you with the skin this mornin',
and that you was named Beans. It's
mighty strange." About this
time I began to be slightly nettled, I believe, and I asked my
tormentor to show me Mr. Riley, or any one else who would say I had had the
sheep's skin. "But I
can't," he replied, "I didn't see his face; he was at the barber's
ashavin', and his back was to me." "Well,
where is he now?" "Oh,
he's down thar yet." "Come
with me," I said, "and we'll settle this business.
I think a man who would make a misstatement about a sheep's skin wouldn't
mind taking one himself." And
off we started for the barber's; Southerland riding, and whistling with a sort
of satisfaction that seemed to say—"I shall have my skin now."
I walked along behind him, and managed to keep up with the pony.
As we neared the barber's shop, there was a commotion within!
Heads were popped out at the door, and then there was a sudden pushing
back of a chair! The back door was
opened, and the figure of a man was seen to dart through it in double quick
time, and it was said that he went out only half shaved!
I headed him off, however, sending Southerland in one direction, whilst I
took another. The fugitive broke
for the bush; but I outfooted him, and sure enough there was my old friend
E____n, alias Riley, with one half of his face cleanly shaven, and the
other rough and dirty, with a three days' beard!
I had my revenge, and am quits with Mr. Riley.
I came out into the road, where Southerland was on a stand, watching, and
told him the game had escaped. "Well,
condang his mean soul; its him that has stole my tanned sheep skin and
spurs, and I jest know it. What did
he run for, like a sneak, if he didn't take 'em?" "Certainly he took them; every body knows he did,"
said I.
Southerland rode off home, and Riley came in by way of the "Red
Sulphur;" but as John didn't know him in his half shaven plight, he could
get no ice water. So much
for poor Riley!
Yours, &c., Bill Beans.
[*The "Red Sulphur" is a spring that has its
source on a hill a couple of hundred yards from the hotel, in a building
adjoining the ten pin alley, and where "John" keeps ice water.
The "Red Sulphur" is rather strong, but some persons prefer it
to the Vichy.]
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], September 22, 1855
(afternoon edition), p. 2, c. 3
Paris, August 28, 1855.
[recounting visit of Queen Victoria to Paris]
I had rather be a slave belonging to an ex-overseer and
worked in the rice-fields of South Carolina (perhaps the hardest lot in the
world next to that of the shirt girl) than lead the life of a sovereign!
They are the omnibus horses of humanity.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], September 22, 1855
(afternoon edition), p. 4, c. 1
Hay Making.—In Lafayette Square hay making season has commenced, and
mowers are busy whetting their scythes and shaving the green lawn.
The square is odorous of country life and fragrant with pastoral
perfumes; in fact, it is one of the few places in the city where a glimpse of
nature may be obtained. There are trees enough there to afford a slight idea of a
forest, and a sufficiency of grass to give forth faint indications of a meadow.
People who cannot afford to visit the country de facto have to
content themselves with a visit to the square, and taking up a handful of new
mown hay, regale their oflactories, and dream of those earlier days when—
"The merry tinkling of the shepherd's bell
Made music for the reapers."
"If we cannot go to see nature let us bring nature to us," was
the philosophical advice of the hero of the Clovernook Chronicles, and he
continued to decorate his shop with flowers, notwithstanding the domestic
assurance of his helpmate that "a man with a hale wife and three blooming
children has no reason to complain that he does see, and feel too, enough of
nature."
Whatever of nature's wondrous entitles the city fathers may be
individually acquainted with, a blessing is due them for having reserved, here
and there, a green spot in the brick and mortar municipal wilderness, where
children may play amid the grass, beneath the trees, or on the shaven lawn; and
where the Can't-get-aways can find a breathing place, and see, though on a
limited scale, the green garniture of field and forest.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], September 24, 1855 (afternoon edition), p. 4, c. 1
Recipe for a Modern Bonnet.
Two scraps of foundation, some fragments of lace,
A shower of French rosebuds to droop o'er the face;
Fine ribbons and feathers, with crape and illusion,
Then mix and derange them in graceful confusion;
Inveigh some fairy, out roaming for pleasure,
And beg the slight favor of taking her measure;
The length and the breadth of her dear little pate,
And hasten a miniature frame to create;
Then pour, as above, the bright mixture upon it,
And lo! you
possess "such a love of a bonnet."
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], September 25, 1855
(afternoon edition), p. 4, c. 1-2
Summary: Detailed
description of wharves and levee at New Orleans
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], September 26, 1855, p. 2,
c. 1
Howard Association.—Vice President Shaw of the Howard Association of
this city received a telegraphic despatch from Vicksburg yesterday morning,
asking that ten good female nurses be immediately sent up.
With the promptness that ever characterizes the action of the Association
and its officers, the required nurses were despatched on the evening of the same
day, by the steamboat Princess.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], September 27, 1855
(afternoon edition), p. 1, c. 3
A Spark of the Angel Left.—It is stated that a number of the abandoned
women in Norfolk, Va., have, since the breaking out of the yellow fever in that
city been most unceasing in their attention to the sick, and have proved the
most valuable nurses. They have
been the means of saving a number of lives, and, in such angelic labors—for
the deeds are heavenly things performed by the former daughters of sin—several
of them have died—died at the posts of duty and mercy, administering to the
victims of plague.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], September 27, 1855
(afternoon edition), p. 2, c. 3
The failure and stoppage of the Autaugaville (Ala.) cotton factory is
announced.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], October 2, 1855
(afternoon edition), p. 4, c. 1
A "Fast Girl"—There is a "fast girl" in the jail at
Utica, N.Y. A few nights ago, she
attempted to escape by cutting a large hole in the wall, but was discovered in
time to secure her in closer quarters. Not
long since, it is said, she shortened her hair, donned male apparel, and was
accepted as a soldier by the recruiting officer recently stationed at Rome.
She remained with the soldiers for several weeks before her sex was
discovered. Her name is Mary Brown; she is about twenty years of age, and
is confined for larceny. She has
been removed to the Utica jail, on account of breaking out of the jail at Rome,
from which she has twice escaped and been re-captured.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], October 10, 1855, p. 2,
c. 3
The citizens of Tyler are building a large and magnificent edifice, three
stories high, intended for the Female Department of the Tyler University.
When completed it will be one of the handsomest buildings in the State.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], October 10, 1855, p. 2,
c. 5
Uniforming the Police.—The Board of Police, after being bored by a
great number of minor subjects, have now the great subject of uniforming the
police on the tapis, and are determined, at once, to put it through.
In fact, the style of the uniform has been adopted.
It consists chiefly of a blue coat with brass buttons and a stand-up
military collar—not "a brass coat with blue buttons," as certain
wags will have it. The buttons are
to be ornamented with little brazen pelicans, feeding nests of young ones from
their brazen breasts, after the approved fashion of the State coat of arms.
Surely no policeman will allow a stain to settle on his escutcheon, when
he bears a "coat of arms" on every button on his coat, and a
composition moon "in its last quarter" on his breast!
The "cut" of the coats has been a matter of much reflection and
profound speculation, and now it is decided to follow the reigning fashion,
"short in the bodies and ample in the skirts."
A neat "tile" is to rest on that ornamental knob, which stands
at the head of the vertebrated column, when the individual policemen are in
standing attitudes and decline to "carry weight" in the form of
superincumbent "bricks." The
night watchmen are to wear the same old caps, improved, however, by some new
inventions.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], October 10, 1855, p. 4, c. 1
Origin of "Seeing the Elephant."
Some thirty years since, at one of the Philadelphia theatres, a pageant
was in rehearsal, in which it was necessary to have an elephant.
No elephant was to be had. The
"wild beasts" were all traveling, and the property man, stage director
and managers, almost had fits when they thought of it.
Days passed in the hopeless task of trying to secure one; but at last
Yankee ingenuity triumphed, as
indeed it always does, and an elephant was made to order, of wood, skins, paint
and varnish. Thus far the matter
was all very well; but as yet they had found no means to make said combination
to travel. Here again the genius of
the managers, the stage director and the property man stuck out, and two
"broths" were duly installed as legs.
Ned C_____, one of the true and genuine b'hoys, held the responsible
station of fore legs, and for several nights he played the heavy part to the
entire satisfaction of the managers and the delight of the audience.
The part, however, was a very tedious one, as the elephant was obliged to
be on the stage for about an hour, and Ned was rather too fond of the bottle to
remain so long without "wetting his whistle," so he set his wits to
work to find a way to carry a wee drop with him.
The eyes of the elephant being made of two porter bottles, with the neck
in, Ned conceived the brilliant idea of filling them with good stuff.
This he fully carried out; and elated with success he willingly undertook
to play fore legs again.
Night came on—the theatre was densely crowded with the denizens of the
Quaker city—the music was played in sweetest strains—the curtain rose and
the play began. Ned and "hind
legs" marched upon the stage. The
elephant was greeted with round upon round of applause.
The decorations and the trappings were gorgeous.
The elephant and the prince seated upon his back were loudly cheered.
The play proceeded; the elephant marched round and round upon the stage. The fore legs got dry, withdrew one of the corks, and treated
the hind legs, and then drank the health of the audience in a bumper of genuine elephant
eye whiskey—a brand, by the way, till then unknown.
On went the play and on went Ned drinking.
The conclusion march was to be made; and signal was given, and the fore
legs staggered towards the front of the stage.
The conductor pulled the ears of the elephant to the right—the fore
legs staggered to the left. The
foot lights obstructed the way, and he raised his foot and stepped plumb into
the orchestra! Down went the fore legs on the leader's fiddle; over, of
course, turned the elephant, sending the prince and hind legs into the middle of
the pit. The managers stood horror
struck; the prince and hind legs lay confounded, the boxes in convulsions, the
actors choking with laughter, and poor Ned, casting one look, a strange blending
of drunkenness, grief and laughter at the scene, fled hastily out of the
theatre, closely followed by the leader with the wreck of his fiddle, performing
various cut and thrust motions in the air.
The curtain dropped on a scene behind the scenes.
No more pageant, no more fore legs, but everybody held their sides.
Music, actors, pit, boxes and gallery rushed from the theatre, shrieking
between every breath—"Have you seen the Elephant?"
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], October 12, 1855, p. 2,
c. 5
Shopping.—Shopping is a science, and looking into shop windows is an
art. Those who are skilled in
either are generally of the softer sex, fair to look upon, and of both dress and
address perfect mistresses. To
watch them in the artistic examination of a shop window, where bijoux, in
every variety of handiwork are displayed, is a study worthy of the most
attentive observer. O, with what a
curious and prescient skill they turn over every little trinket with their
sparkling eyes, discovering beauties or defects hidden from all others!
No need of hands to handle them, although their taper fingers are itching
for something of the kind; those eyes so keen, can look above, below, beneath,
between, in fact—everywhere!
To the true mistress in the art of shop window examination, each window
is a volume of most inspired poesy. The
adept despises the country cousins who know nothing of the art, and who scan
fancy fabrics with an unskillful eye—who look "through a glass
darkly," and who cannot "read as from an open book" the poetry
before them. These country cousins
are always such awkward and provoking things!
They read everything wrong. If
"buttons" happen to be painted up and down a door post, they are sure
to spell it backwards, and then, in their verdancy, inquire "if such a nice
store sells such nasty things!" Some
of the French signs down town bother the country cousins most abominably.
But the fair ones must really get into the shops to prove that shopping
is a science. There the eye has to
perform a double duty, for both the salesman and the wares have to be
comprehended at a glance, and the mind must be at work.
An apt word, a suppressed sigh, a soft look, and a swelling bust, have,
combined, a magic potency. They
cheapen wares in a most surprising manner, and at the same time, render the
buyer dearer to the seller than gold, and sweeter far than honey.
What bargains the dear devotees to their science do secure sometimes,
when the clerks get fairly captivated; and what a wooing, winning, wasting,
witching, willing, willful way they have! Hav'nt
[sic] they now?
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], October 18, 1855, p. 2,
c. 4
Grave Merchandise.—That All Saints' day is approaching we should feel
quite sure, even though the almanacs were silent on the subject. Grave wares, with which tombs are to be ornamented, speak
eloquently of the coming fete. These
are hawked through the streets on the heads of bright quadroons, and are sold to
all those who desire to render attractive, for a day at least, the narrow
dwellings of departed relatives. Flowers,
both natural and artificial, are already beginning to increase in value, as they
will be wanted in the grave yards on All Saints' day; and curious circlets are
paraded in shop windows, with inscriptions such as "A mon bon ange,"
"Eternal Regrets," "Tears for the Dead," &c.
The whitewasher and the painter are also at work in the Cemetery yards,
brightening the tombs, and when the fete day comes round every thing will be
prepared for a goodly celebration.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], October 21, 1855, p. 1
Summary: Large
illustration of attack on Sevastopol
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], October 24, 1855
(afternoon edition), p. 1, c. 4
The Free Lovers Smashed Up.—A New York despatch, of the 19th
inst., to the Memphis papers, says:
The meetings of the disciples of Free Love have been broken up.
The whole party was arrested. Among
the prisoners are Albert Brisbane, Henry Clapp, and a number of respectable
females. A large delegation of strong-minded women were also arrested,
which caused much excitement.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], October 24, 1855 (afternoon edition), p. 1, c. 6
Gaiter Boots.—By
Robin Rattlebrain, A.M.
O!
dainty foot!
O! gaiter boot!
To piety you're
shocking!
I only know
Of one thing
worse,
And that's a
snow-white stocking!
So neat and clean,
Together seen,
E'en Stoic's must
agree
To you to vote
What Gray once
wrote,
A handsome L-E-G!
The lasting
theme
Of midnight dream,
The very soul
of song;
Man wants you
little
Here below,
And never wants
you long!
By Plato ne'er
Sent tripping
here;
By Plato rather
given,
To lead poor man
(An easy plan)
To any place but
Heaven.
Yet still I vow
There's magic now
About a woman's
foot,
And cunning was
The wizard hand
That made a gaiter
boot!
For while the
knave
The gaiters gave,
To mortals to
ensnare them,
Mankind he hoax'd,
And even coaxed
The angels down to
wear them!
[Knickerbocker.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], October 25, 1855, p. 2,
c. 5
A Pretty Clatter.—Of late Fashion has raised the ladies in their own
and public estimation by the addition of heels to their shoes and petite
bootees. And oh!
such a pretty and rhythmical little clatter they keep up as they trip
along the sidewalks! There is a
melody in their movements—indeed, their [sic] always was—but now they mark
by music the poetry of their motions, and keep time to their own angelic tunes.
silks and fine linens by these elevated understandings are kept slightly
out of the mud, and the general effect is supposed to be advantageous.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], October 26, 1855, p. 3, c. 2
Grand Fancy Dress
Ball.
By Jackson Fire
Company No. 18.
A Grand Fancy Dress Ball will be given on November 3d, 1855, at the Armory Hall, Camp street. Tickets one dollar; to be had of the Managers, and at the door on the evening of the ball. No ladies admitted without invitations.
---Managers---
Hon. M. M. Reynolds,
J. Platzmeyers,
Hon. John L. Lewis,
Col. G. W. Shaw,
J. C. McLellan,
D. C. Biscoe,
James Ward,
A. D. Jerrolleman,
Dr. J. N. Folwell,
Samuel G. Risk,
John Adams,
N. L. Bown,
A. Selanger,
R. McDonnell,
J. H. Wingfield,
R. W. Adams,
James Brooks,
Thomas C. Poole.
---Floor Managers---
A. Reichurd,
Wm. Logan,
F. Schneider,
B. Legget,
J. McManus,
J. F. Gruber,
T. Redman,
Wm. J. Deshea,
J. Heahy.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], October 26, 1855
(afternoon edition), p. 1, c. 2
All Saint's Day.—Our stores, shops and streets have for some time been
giving evidence of the preparations which are being made for the celebration of
this day of kindly chastened sadness among our Catholic fellow-citizens. Mournful chaplets, composed with graceful elegance, crosses,
the sign in which we are told we shall conquer, and numerous other emblems of
the faith that is within, of the high hopes firmly held, and of the dear
memories fondly cherished, have been almost everywhere seen. From an advertisement which appears in another column, it
will be seen that various societies and institutions are preparing for the usual
observances of the day. The
Portuguese Benevolent Society will bedeck their monument, erected to the memory
of deceased members, their chaplain will deliver a funeral oration, and a
collection will be made on the occasion for the benefit of the Camp street
Orphan Asylum.
In like manner a collection will be made on the occasion for the benefit
of the St. Mary's Orphan Asylum for boys, which our esteemed fellow-citizen, Mr.
Anthony Rasch, has so benevolently, so judiciously, and so energetically founded
and sustained.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], October 28, 1855, p. 2,
c. 1
Idlers About Cities.—One of the New York papers having stated that
there are not less than ten thousand persons now in that city out of employment,
the Louisville Times says:
We have not a particle of sympathy for these idle prowlers about the
purlieus of cities. "Ten
thousand persons out of employment in New York!"
Why don't they go to the country, even if they have to walk, crawl, and
beg their way through? Let them
come to the West, the broad fertile West, throwing its arms wide open and
bidding all the world to come! Come,
ye poor and oppressed, and make homes for yourselves and your children. Come to the West, where common labor commands a dollar a day,
with cheap food, cheap rents, and where a man's a man, if he is honest and
intelligent, be he rich or poor. Yes,
come along; and if you are worthy to be called men, you will come in carts,
wheelbarrows, go-carts, and wagons. We
would not give a fig for a man that could not walk from New York to Texas and
wheel three babies and a wife before him in a wheelbarrow.
The great Michigan Senator in his youth footed it from Vermont to
Michigan; and one of the Supreme Judges (Perkins) of Indiana left the tracks of
his raw-hide boots in the sand and mud all the way from New York to the Hoosier
State. Energy, Young America!
Great country is "out West."
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], October 28, 1855, p. 2,
c. 2
Pretty Women.—A pretty woman is one of the "institutions" of
the country—an angel in dry goods and glory.
She makes sunshine, blue sky, Fourth of July, and happiness wherever she
goes. Her path is one of delicious
roses, perfume and beauty. She is a
sweet poem, written in rare curls and choice calico, and good principles.
Men stand up before her as so many admiration points, to melt into cream
and then butter. Her words float
round the ear like music, birds of Paradise, or the chimes of Sabbath bells. Without her society would lose its truest attraction, the
church its firmest reliance, and young men the very best of comforts and
company. Her influence and
generosity restrain the vicious, strengthen the weak, raise the lowly,
flannel-shirt the heathen, and strengthen the faint-hearted.
Wherever you find the virtuous woman, you also find pleasant fireside
bouquets, clean clothes, order, good living, gentle hearts, piety, music, light
and model "institutions" generally.
She is the flower of humanity, a very Venus in dimity, and her
inspiration is the breath of heaven.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], October 28, 1855, p. 2,
c. 6
To Sleep Well. Hall's
Journal of Health for October says:
Since the fullest amount of sleep is essential to the healthful working
of mind and body as necessary food, it may be well to know how to secure it as a
general rule.
1. Clarify your conscience.
2. Take nothing later than 2 o'clock P.M., except some bread and butter
and a small cup of tea of any kind, or half a glass of water, for supper.
3. Go to bed at some regular
hour. 4.
Get up the moment you wake yourself, even at midnight.
5. Do not sleep an instant
in the day time. Unless your body is in a condition to require special medical
advice, nature will regulate your sleep to the wants of the system in less than
a month; and you will not only go to sleep at once, but will sleep soundly.
"Second naps" and "siestas" make the mischief.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], October 29, 1855
(afternoon edition), p. 1, c. 5
The Washington Artillery.—This fine company had a moonlight parade on
Friday night last in full uniform. They
were preceded by their brass band, and marched through our principal streets,
delighting our citizens with their soldier-like appearance and fine drill.
Capt. Hunting has reason to be proud of the excellent state of discipline
to which his company has attained. We
are glad to learn that certain matters which threatened to weaken the efficiency
of his company have passed away before the light of common sense, even as the
clouds passed from before the face of the moon on the night of their parade.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], October 29, 1855
(afternoon edition), p. 1, c. 5
Old Jordan.-The Continental Guards
had a moonlight drill on Friday night last, in citizens' dress, and, preceded by
Jordan's famous drum and fife band, they passed through the principal streets to
the Place d'Armes, in the Second District, where they went through a number of
interesting evolutions. On leaving
there they marched to the house of one of their officers, where a handsome
collation had been prepared for them, and where a couple of hours were passed in
the pleasantest manner. A number of
toasts were drunk, and among them one to the health of Old Jordan, the drummer
of Chalmette. This was received
with the utmost enthusiasm, and the veteran was brought in and responded in a
strain of native eloquence which pleased and surprised every one present.
He stated, after returning thanks for the honor done him, that his
military career had commenced in 1813, more than forty years ago, when the
officers of the army wore nearly the same uniform as that now worn by the
Continental Guards, and that his heart warmed at the sight of the knee breeches
and boots which reminded him of the days and companions of his youth.
Never had that uniform been disgraced by the wearers, who in the war then
prevailing bravely met the invading foe, and never gave back a foot of ground
that was not wet with their blood and that of their enemies.
He has served under Gen. Jackson, on the plains of Chalmette, and under
Gen. Taylor, on the fields of Mexico, and it had been his fortune to have come
under the immediate observation of these distinguished men, both of whom had
taken him by the hand and complimented him for his services, not caring whether
his skin was white or black. His
country had acknowledged those services by placing him on a footing with her
other defenders, and bestowing on him the same reward.
In conclusion, he reiterated his pleasure in being again connected
with those whose uniform reminded him of that which first struck his youthful
fancy, and trusted and believed that, should occasion ever demand it, the
Continental Guards of the present day would emulate the deeds of their
predecessors; and concluded by hoping that, when the evening of life came on,
all present might feel the same satisfaction which their present and past kindness had filled the heart of old
Jordan, the drummer.
During the delivery of these remarks, very imperfectly reported from
recollection, the crowd were so silent and attentive that the falling of a pin
could have been heard, and at their conclusion broke forth into a perfect storm
of applause. The whole incident was
of the most pleasing character. The
convivial board, the respectful stillness of those assembled around it, the veteran of two wars, his
complexion, the "shadowed livery of the burnished sun," set off by
locks silvered by the snows of age, speaking in a solemn and earnest manner of
the noble deeds of a past generation, and encouraging those present to emulate
them should their country require it, formed a picture which will live in the
memory of those present until their dying day.
Jordan, in addition to furnishing the best field band that ever paraded
our streets, is now the Armorer of the Continental Guards, and long may the
gallant veteran continue to charm the ears of the present generation with his
exquisite drumming for his arm appears to be as vigorous now as it was on the
morning of the memorable 8th of January, 1815, when he beat the reveille which
roused the hardy sons of America to the conflict from which they came out
clothed with never-dying glory.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], October 29, 1855 (afternoon edition), p. 1, c. 6
News from Gotham.
[Correspondence of
the Picayune.]
New York, Oct. 16, 1855.
Dear Pic.—Since I cannot bring you here in person, let me transport you
in idea to my snug little nook in the fourth story—not attic
either—overlooking the great thoroughfare of the Empire City.
Broadway, for the last few fine days, has been a blaze of beauty as well
as of sunshine. A fashionable lady,
in her complete array of flounces and hooped skirts, looks more like a balloon,
full-rigged and manned (?) cap-a-pie, than like anything of the feminine kind.
It wouldn't be strange if old Boreas should mistake her for one, and some
of these windy autumn days whisk her up in to the air sans ceremonie, in
which case she might make a voyage of discovery, passage free.
I met my fair cousin Angela this morning in the full glory of the
prevailing fashions, which, by the way, always prevail with her; and as she
sailed off in all the majesty of a full inflation, bearing in her train half a
dozen dwindling specimens of dandyhood, a description by Paulding, in
"Azure Hoze," I think, was forcibly recalled to mind.
In it he speaks of his heroine as being really so lovely that it was not
in the power of either mantua-maker or milliner to make her look very ugly.
He would have said it again if he had seen my cousin.
How is it, I have often asked myself, that woman, with all her fineness
and truth of taste in other matters, should so often display such a pitiful want
of these qualities in her own dress? How
is it, in this country especially, where the women are generally enlightened and
the laws of beauty and taste are more or less accessible to all, that the fairer
representations of the "human form divine" should so often make
deformities of themselves by following some prevailing mania?
I use this term because Fashion, like Disease, seems subject to epidemic
affections.
The long skirts that have been worn during the last two or three years
are not only inconvenient and inelegant in the promenade, but they are opposed
to economy, neatness and good sense. I
believe that no really sensible woman would ever wear them of her own choice,
but for the absurd tyranny of Fashion; and if a young lady was not known to have
one other fault in the world—yet knowing this, that she was willing to incur
either the enormous waste of sweeping and mopping the streets with some yards of
silk, satin or brocade, or that she could endure the filth which would thus
inevitably be gathered, a sensible man would be very unwilling to marry her.
These are not, then merely questions of expense or good taste, but of
morals—of character.
In these swelling skirts, proportion, grace, symmetry, are all lost in
one immense swell of whalebone, hooped to the waist with flounces and surmounted
by a bare and brazen head, with a bonnet like a saddle out of place, or an
uneasy sticking plaster applied to the back of the neck, giving to the wearer
something of the aspect of a "yoked pig."
There is no face so beautiful but it is fairer for being shaded from the
sun; and for the really plain and ugly ones, in such array they are hideous.
When will arise the true "Woman of the New World," who shall
illustrate in her own person all that can best please, grace, adorn with the
virtues which so ennoble her sex? And
when she does appear, believe me, it will not be in the garniture of a great
ruffled demijohn, with a bunch of artificial flowers, silk and ribbons stuck
upon her shoulders, but in such truly modest, graceful and womanly guise, as
could never go out of taste, even if out of fashion. . . .
*----*
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], October 30, 1855
(afternoon edition), p. 1, c. 2
All Saints' Day—Company G, National Guard.—The officers and members
of this company will take up a collection at the Catholic Graveyard, No. 2, on
All Saints' Day, for the benefit of the St. Mary's Boys' Orphan Asylum, Third
District, and we sincerely trust it may be a good one.
The Asylum, since its establishment, has done an immense amount of good,
limited only by its means, and we feel confident that our citizens will
liberally respond to the call thus unobtrusively made.
The officers of the Regiment of National Guards will meet at the St.
Charles Hotel, at 3 o'clock, P.M., the same day, in full uniform, for the
purpose of joining Capt. Kennedy's company at the graveyard.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], November 1, 1855, p. 2, c. 2
The "Strongminded" Petitioning Again.
Susan B. Anthony and the rest of the discontented sisterhood of
"strong-minded women" in the State of New York have already got up
their annual petition to the Legislature of that State "for the restoration
of woman's legal and political rights."
Restoration does not seem to be exactly the proper word, by the by, there
being no time that we have ever heard of when woman was supposed to have any
such legal and political rights as those she is now invoked to aid Miss Anthony
in demanding at the hands of the Legislature.
Among these, for example, is "the right of suffrage," which, as
saith this petition, "involves all the rights of citizenship, and one that
cannot be justly withheld."
How the right of suffrage involves all the rights of citizenship now
freely acceded to women, we confess we cannot perceive.
But we will not go into the argument so often discussed, our object at
present being simply to show what these aspiring ladies are after.
They hold that the Legislature cannot justly withhold from them the right
of suffrage: "First,
because," as one of the admitted principles of popular government,
"all men are born free and equal," which, for the purposes of
Miss Susan Anthony's petition, we submit, is what the logicians call a non
sequitur. Because "all men
are born free and equal," we do not see how it follows that all women
should vote. But to proceed. This right is claimed on the ground, secondly, "that all
governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed; third,
that taxation and representation should go together; fourth, that those held
amenable to a system of laws should have a share in making those laws."
There is an old proverb to the effect that constant dropping will wear
away stones; and it may be that a Legislature of the Empire State may one day or
other be met with, sitting at the capitol, in Albany, which will yield to this
annually reiterated appeal to alter the constitution of that State in such wise
as to allow its women to vote at elections, and to be eligible for
representative and executive officers in the Commonwealth.
But we apprehend that this will not happen in our day, or in that of Miss
Susan B. Anthony. We fear that the
relative positions of the sexes, as they are generally understood and taken to
have been arranged by a higher decree than that which human legislation will
ever venture upon promulgating, will continue for our time, at least.
Meantime it will do these fair politicians no kind of harm, we opine, to
devote some hours of the leisure they can snatch from their public labors, to
peruse anew the third chapter of the Book of Genesis, dwelling particularly upon
the last clause of the 16th verse; and thereafter, the first five
verses of the third chapter of St. Peter's first Epistle. Then let them see what St. Paul inculcates upon young women,
in his Epistle to Titus: Ch.2, v.5,
and I Corinthians, ch. 14, vss. 34, 35; and Ephesians 5; 22, 23, 24, and in many
other parts of his writings.
Does Miss Susan Anthony ever read poetry?
If so, after she has digested the scriptural texts we have intimated as
worthy of her attention, will she turn with us to that part of the story of our
first mother, as related by Milton, in the Paradise Lost, and see when it was
that woman first began to agitate within herself the idea of reversing the
original relations between herself and man?
We will begin at the 795th line of the ninth book; where
commences Eve's soliloquy after tasting the forbidden fruit. As Thyer, one of the best critics of this immortal poem,
remarks, does it not appear that the author in this passage "intended a
satirical as well as a moral hint to the ladies, in making one of Eve's first
thoughts after her fatal lapse, to be how to get the superiority and mastery
over her husband?" We find her
there, elate with pride that she now knows more than Adam, and, musing how she
may turn it to account, she asks:
"-----Shall
I not
Yet keep the odds of knowledge in my power
Without co partner? so to
add what wants
In female sex, the more to draw his love,
And render me more equal? and
perhaps,
A thing not undesirable, sometime
Superior; for inferior, who is free?"
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], November 1, 1855, p. 2,
c. 5
Costumes.—M'me Graux Fierobe, 112 Conti street, has lately very largely
increased her extensive and varied assortment of costumes, dominoes, masks,
&c., so that she can now supply them appropriate for the representation of
every nation, age and style. As
heretofore her prices will be found very moderate.
See advertisement.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], November 1, 1855
(afternoon edition), p. 1, c. 3
All Saints, All Hallows, All Souls.—The first day of November has for
centuries been observed in the Christian Church, Roman and English, as the
festival of All Saints. It
commenced, when, early in the seventh century, the Pantheon of old Rome was
converted into a Christian Church, under the name of St. Mary La
Rotunda, and was consecrated to the Virgin Mary and All the Saints.
It was originally observed on the first of May.
In the middle of the ninth century it was changed to the 1st
of November. In some parts of Britain it has long been, and still is kept
as a Harvest Home rejoicing, and called All Hallows. The Protestant Church of England, in its service for this
day, sums up the commemoration of martyrs, confessors and saints, instead of
giving a day to each in its calendar, as that of Rom has done.
The 2d of November is All Souls' Day, a festival celebrated by the church
of Rome with a particular service, for the benefit of the souls of the departed.
It was instituted by Odillon, Bishop of Cluny, in the 9th
century, and is still religiously kept up by that church.
Says the learned Dr. Hook, in his admirable "Church
Dictionary," speaking of all Souls' Day, "the ceremonies observed on
this day were in good keeping with the purposes of its institution.
In France and Italy, at the present day, the annual Jour de Morts
is observed by the population resuming their mourning habits, and visiting the
graves of their friends, for many years after their decease."
In no part of this country is this touching and beautiful observance so
religiously and universally kept up as in Louisiana, and especially in our own
city. All our cemeteries to-day
present proofs of this. From early
morning till late in the evening they are crowded with visitors, who, with pious
hands, decorate with flowers and immortelles the graves of their departed
loved ones, and breathe a prayer for the repose of their souls in bliss.
Says an eloquent writer of our time and country:
"The ancient church cultivated with delight and diligence the memory
of its dead. To its members sweet
was the savor of their names. They
longed after them as beloved ones who had gone on a journey and whom they
expected again to meet. Their
separation from them locally by death seemed only to make them more conscious of
the existence of a deeper tie, by which they felt they were bound to them."
This is the sentiment which lies at the foundation of this day's annual
observance. it is based upon that
article of the christian's creed, "The Communion of Saints."
The loved ones lost on earth are emphatically our "treasures in
heaven," and "where our treasure is, there will our hearts be
also." Animated by this
sentiment, in a spirit of joyous hope, chastened by the regrets which the memory
of the past naturally calls up, we see these groups of visitors thronging
"the city of the dead" and discharging their pious duties at the
shrines it contains:
"And if their sight, by earthly dimness hindered,
Behold no hovering cherubim in air,
They nothing doubt—for spirits know their kindred
Are smiling on the faithful watchers there."
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], November 2, 1855, p. 2,
c. 3
Fete of All Saints.—The narrow dwellings of our city's dead were
yesterday garlanded by gentle fingers, and so rich were they in floral ornature
that one might almost suppose that a prophet's wand had blossomed for the
decoration of each. Even the gilded
eulogies on the marble were half obscured by mottoed wreath and chaplet, and
every where the poetic indications of kind remembrances were observable. Among the tombs thousands wandered in mourning weeds, while
other thousands seemed wholly regardless of the lessons of the day.
Around there was life; varied, expressive, instructive life; while hidden
from the gaze of the lookers on, corruption—"death's happier, only
rival"—held entire sway. "He
that runs may read," and some who were present did, doubtless, read the
blended lesson of life and death, and sighed for the time when the mystery of
immortality shall be made manifest.
On many a tablet the vanity of worldly aspirations could be but too
plainly traced, and "the pomp of death, which is more terrible than death
itself." Others told of the
removal of gentle spirits, and those gentle ones seemed as with an angel's
whisper to commune with the living.
The tombs of the different charitable associations were appropriately,
and some of them profusely adorned. That
of the Portuguese Society made a very imposing appearance, as did those of the
Orleans Battalion of Artillery, and the Spanish, French, and other societies.
Collections for the benefit of the different orphans' institutions were
taken up at the gates, and at other positions in the cemeteries, and we were
rejoiced to see that the contributions were flowing in most bountifully.
Company G, of the National Guards, Capt. Kennedy, escorted the orphan
boys of the Third District to the Bienville Street Cemetery, where the officers
of the company, and most of those of the regiment, assisted them in collecting
the alms of the charitable.
At the Lafayette Cemetery, where there was also a large attendance, we
noticed with grateful pleasure that a wreath of Immortelle, and a rose,
had been placed upon a tomb where the two brothers, whose names were long
associated with that of this journal, lie sleeping together, "life's fitful
fever" over.
We do not remember for years seeing so vast a concourse of visitors to
these "silent cities of the dead," as upon this occasion.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], November 2, 1855
(afternoon edition), p. 1, c. 4
Miss Andrews.—The Richmond (Va.) Despatch, of the 23d ult., says:
This lady, who with so much noble humanity volunteered her services to
nurse the sick in Norfolk, at the beginning of the epidemic, and who has
courageously persevered in her perilous vocation until the day of affliction
from the pestilence is past, arrived in this city yesterday evening.
She is accompanied by Dr. W. C. Whitehead, son of the acting Mayor of
Norfolk. She was met at the wharf
by a large number of refugees, who were anxious to see her and express to her
their gratitude for her noble conduct towards their people. She was treated with every mark of respect and attention by
Capt. Davis, of the Curtis Peck. Miss
Andrews is a citizen of the south—her parents residing in St. Joseph's, La.
She was staying with a relative at Syracuse, N. Y., when she heard of the
affliction in Norfolk and resolved to go to do what she could for the suffering
people.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], November 3, 1855, p. 2,
c. 4
A Nymph in Pants.—The pastoral policeman of Lafayette Square yesterday
arrested a female, about seventeen or eighteen years of age, who had donned the
toggery of manhood, and puffed vigorously behind a twisted roll of the Virginia
weed. With a merry leer from the
"laughing devil in her eye," the disguised nymph tried to persuade the
pastoral Dan that he was mistaken as to the gentle character of her sex:
"But, no," says Dan, "you can't fool me—you're no boy,
or I never was one!"
Against so set an opinion as this the nymph—who had assumed the
masculine name of Charley Smith—thought it useless to contend, and so caved
in, confessed her sex and told the story of her life.
Whether, in the strange tale of her adventures, there was more of romance
than reality, we leave for others to judge.
We give a few outlines as she related them.
Charley—we will still call her Charley, as she begged that her real
name might not be made public—said that her parents died when she was quite
young, and she was left in the charge of guardians.
Her relations chiefly lived in New York and this city, but she was taken
by her guardians to Boston, where, in a luckless moment, she loved, perchance
"not wisely." Thereupon
her relations and fashionable friends discovered her, and eventually she was
induced to put on masculine apparel and go to sea.
As a cabin boy she made three voyages from New York to Liverpool.
Afterwards she was employed for a while in a barber shop; then in a
grocery store, and eventually as a barkeeper in a tap-room, and as a
"spotter" for the New York police.
No very poetical experience, the reader may exclaim—but we are telling
the story as Charley herself tells it, and she alone is to blame if she has made
her experience of too prosaic a character.
After detailing her adventures as above to the Recorder, she appealed to
that worthy functionary's gallantry to "let her off easy."
The Recorder said that there was no complaint against her for any
impropriety of conduct. As to dress
that was altogether a matter of taste, especially among the
"strong-minded" women of the North, and as she had no female apparel,
he was sure that he could not force her to take off what she had—although she
was "sailing under false colors."
He, however, advised her to go back to her own sex as soon as possible,
and having so advised, he bade her "God speed."
She thanked him and left; but before going told something more of her
experience to a sympathetic "searcher of the truth," who happened to
be present.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], November 6, 1855
(afternoon edition), p. 4, c. 1
A Good Toast.—Woman—the morning star of our youth; the day star of
our manhood; the evening star of our old age.
God bless our stars!
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], November 7, 1855
(afternoon edition), p. 2, c. 2
The Florences.—These clever young comedians are having another of their
popular and profitable tours in the West. We
hear of them last at Pittsburg, Pa., where, on the 26th ult., they
played John Brougham's new Irish drama, written expressly for them, and of which
report speaks most exaltedly. Mrs.
Florence was playing her round of Protean characters, and singing all her
amusing songs, and dancing her inimitable pas. Of course "Bobbin' Around," Florence's own song,
and "Pop goes the Weasel," every night.
May we not hope to see these New Orleans favorites here soon?
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], November 9, 1855,
(afternoon edition), p. 4, c. 1
Scared Some.—A most ridiculous little affair occurred yesterday, which
should not be suffered to go down into oblivion.
A man not accustomed to the startling incidents of city life—a man
evidently from the back settlements—who might or might not have been one of
the passengers who thronged the little Fairfield, was passing along Dauphin
street, and had reached that point where its conjunction with Commerce street
forms what is known as a "corner"—very singular term that, by the
way, if one scrutinizes it closely. This
"corner" is now occupied by a tobacco store, and in the doorway stands
the customary sign of that branch of business—the wooden effigy of one of the
American aborigines who inducted Sir Walter Raleigh into the polite mystery of
smoking tobacco. This sculpturesque
looking Injun savage, has anything but an amiable smile on is wooden features,
there really seems bloody speculation in his cunningly painted eyes, and his
attitude is not amicable. But our
friend from the turpentine orchards wasn't thinking about the Injun savage, and
was intently gazing at something on the opposite side of the street, but just as
he came almost in contact with the statue he turned his head and there, staring
right into his face, were the fierce eyes of the defiant looking redskin!
A cold chill crept over him, but he didn't creap [sic] to the
other side of the walk, by no means, he landed in the gutter at the further end
of a mighty bound, with an agonized "Oh."
But his antagonist didn't pursue, and he at once comprehended that he had
been outrageously imposed upon by a counterfeit semblance.
"Well, I swear," said he, examining the image, "if the
derned thing didn't skeer me almost to death, you may take my old boots! I tuk it for a real Injun savage, and wouldn't been a skeered
that ar way for a thousand bar'ls of vargin dip!"
[Mobile Advertiser, of Wednesday.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], November 9, 1855,
(afternoon edition), p. 4, c. 1
Books.—A learned writer says of books:
"They are masters who instruct us without rods or ferules, without
words or anger, without bread or money. If
you approach them, they are not asleep; if you seek them, they do not hide; if
you blunder, they do not scold; if you are ignorant, they do not laugh at
you."
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], November 10, 1855, p. 2,
c. 4
Daintiness and Dirt.—For several days past moisture has prevailed in
the skies above, and mud on the streets below, and, of course, "sloshing
about" has been the rule among all male perambulators.
As a general thing the fairer portion of creation has kept within doors,
but yesterday a few, a very few, ventured out.
It was towards evening, on Chartres street, that we saw two of them
moving like perpetual joys, as things of beauty are said to be.
They were decked out with costliest apparel, and, till we approached very
near them, we almost supposed that they were supernal visitants.
That near approach, however, undeceived us, for although beauty of
feature and adornment triumphed from the crowns of their bonnets to their dainty
gaiters, there was dirt enough on their bedraggled trails of silk to dim the
charms of two divinities.
Byron once gave it as his opinion that man is a strange compound of
"deity and dirt," but we never supposed that fine ladies could be
embraced in the definition till fashionable trails in muddy weather left their
disgusting mark of the affinity.
Surely it is not incumbent on our republican beauties to follow fashions
which must of necessity end in filth, and which were only intended by their
inventors to hide the deformed feet of some court dames.
For our part we shall in future persist in thinking that all those ladies
who wear their dresses so long as to have two or three inches of the trail
bedraggled, are cursed with feet ill-fashioned. Either the new hoops with the patent elevators, must become
the rage, or ladies' dresses must be shortened to the standard of decency.
We never wish to behold the like of those two trails again.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], November 11, 1855, p. 1, c. 4
A Fire Hunt.
The Longest Shot
on Record.
We know that many of our readers understand what is called "fire
hunting." Some of them may
not; therefore, we will briefly explain it.
On dark nights—when there is no room [sic? moon?]—the deer hunter, who wishes to knock over an old
buck, takes with him a companion who carries over his shoulder an iron pan or
basket, attached to a long wooden handle, a hatchet, and a sack filled with
short pieces of "lightwood" strapped to his back, and with his gun the
hunter sallies forth into the forest. Pieces
of the "lightwood" are kindled in the pan, which gives out a great
blaze and throws a bright light far into the woods around.
Deer feed at night quite as much as by day, perhaps more; and their eyes
have a peculiar "shine" by firelight. When
they are so feeding, and the glare of the light from the pan "shines"
their eyes, the man with the gun fires in the direction of the eyes, generally
aiming two or three inches below them, according to the distance at which the
eyes are judged to be.
This brief explanation of "fire hunting" we presume is
sufficient. Now for our story—for
we have one to tell.
A few weeks since, in a part of Alabama where there is an abundance of
almost all kinds of game, a friend of ours had the good fortune to go out on a
fire hunt after deed with a party well posted as to the woods, the best ranges,
"shining," shooting, &c. At
half past 8 o'clock "Sawney," with his young master and our friend set
out for a hunt in which they were sure of success.
The guest, who has a great passion for all sorts of hunting, and who
rather prides himself on his skill in sporting, was elated at the idea of
bringing down a fine buck, proposed to Sawney, who at first carried the
fire-pan, that for every pair of eyes "shined" in the hunt, he, Sawney,
should have four bits.
This was something Sawney had not anticipated, and the poor darkey was
quite elated by it.
"Well, massa, I gwine to shine de eyes, sure, and I 'spect you have
to give me a dollar and a half, pervided you does what you says. I shine de eyes certain.
But 'spose you miss 'um? How
will dat be?"
"Miss them!" retorted
the hunter. "I don't often do
such a thing with this shooting iron.
I'll hit every pair of eyes I shoot at to-night—no matter how far off. Whether I do or not, you shall have the money."
And off the party started into the midst of the dense woods. The light fromt he pan gleamed far and wide through the wild
forest. Onward and still onward
trudged the night hunters; over huge bogs, through thickets of brushwood, vines,
brambles and briars, up hill and down hill, across wet bottoms and along dry
ridges; now amongst the "turpentine orchards" and then amidst oak,
beech and gum; through fields and around fences.
More than one hour was thus spent, during which our friend lost his hat a
dozen times—to say nothing of two or three fall-downs, sundry scratches of his
hands and face, and being almost out of breath from the brisk exercise he had to
undergo in keeping up with "Sawney," now more than ever intent on
"shining" for the sake of the promised "shiners."
But in all this time no eyes were discovered.
The party halted, and "Sawney" applied himself to refreshing
his fire-pan and sack. This gave
opportunity to rest awhile and take observation.
"Ain't you lost, Sawney?" asked his young master, looking about
rather anxiously. "Where are
the seven stars? Where are
we?"
"Well, massa Ben, I just be look for de stars myself," answered
the darkey, "and I no see 'um; but I knows where we is good enough; we is
in de woods," he continued, with a grin that showed his snowy
"ivories."
"And is that all you know about it?"
"Yes, Massa Ben. Dis
nigger is lost, sure. And now I gib
de gentleman four bits heself if he git us out of de scrape."
The gentleman informs us that notwithstanding his perplexity at this
juncture, he was forced to laugh heartily.
"Well," said massa Ben, "this won't do—I'm going to get
out of this fix, at any rate. Give
me the light." And, suiting
action to word, he shouldered the pan and took a "bee line" for somewhere.
"Now," said he to his friend, "keep up with the light, and
look sharp for eyes. I'll
give you a shot. Follow me."
The pace quickened, and the party soon found themselves in the midst of a
dense, dark thicket. The fire-pan
was suddenly at a stand still!
"Come here," whispered Massa Ben.
"Be quick, but easy. There
are the eyes. Aim two inches below
them, and fire."
Our friend cocked his trigger, and prepared to do as he was directed.
He peered anxiously and almost choking in the direction of the eyes.
He saw them; but they didn't look like eyes, and he hesitated to fire.
"Make haste and shoot, before he runs—he will jump off in a
minute."
Accordingly, our friend, as he tells us, "blazed away;" and
thinking the distance rather long range, sent off one of Ely's cartridges
of S. G. shot which he had in his left-hand barrel.
The red fire short forth from the muzzle gave a momentary flash in the
darkness of the night! The report
of the explosion resounded in heaping echoes through the forest, far, far away
over hill and valley, startling the sober owl from his propriety! But there stood the eyes, gazing more intently than before,
and not having even shrinked!
"Fire again, and aim a little lower—I think you over-shot him. Now
is your time; I saw him move."
The deadly weapon was again leveled—the aim taken—the finger
beginning to press the trigger—when—
"Stop! stop!
don't fire! it's the MOON, I
swear by my powder horn!" And
so it was!
Shooting at the moon! and
that, too, with any thing less than one of the Lancasterian guns of the Allies
in the Crimea! It's a pretty good
joke, we think.
The party got safely out of the labyrinth into which they had wound
themselves by going "round and round," like the whale when he had
Jonah in him, and by the fortunate rising of the moon, then in the wane, they
soon came upon a road, which led them home.
But our friend insists upon it that he hit the moon, because, like a deer
lying down, it "got up" after being shot at, and when next seen, it
was smaller in size, which, he says, proves that he must have knocked off a
piece.
Who can beat this extraordinary shooting?
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], November 11, 1855, p. 2,
c. 4
West and Peel's Campbell Minstrels.
This favorite band of vocalists, instrumentalists and comic performers
reopen their "Southern Opera House" to-morrow evening, at Armory Hall,
with a greatly reinforced personnel, and a programme of accustomed
excellence and variety.
Matt Peel is still the director of the troupe, and Mr. G. G. Minor the
musical director and composer. Matt
and Master Tom Peel; Rumsey, the banjo king; Farrenberg, the charming singer of
ballads; the veritable "Old Bob Ridley," Cotton; with Dickinson,
Moore, Shute, Ennis, Gardner, Keene and Currier, professors of the harp, flute,
violin, violoncello and tenore, guitar, accordeon and cornet, combine to form a
company of hitherto unequaled merit.
Their opening bill consists of five parts, comprising overtures, solos,
choruses, ballads, instrumental performances, dances, eccentricities, burlesques
and the like, introducing the entire company; everything concluding with
"an awful smash up" or a railroad.
As a matter of course, the Campbells will be greeted with an overflowing
hall—an earnest of their career during the season they will then inaugurate.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], November 12, 1855, p. 2,
c. 1
Troops for Texas.—The steamer David Gibson arrived on Saturday evening
from St. Louis, bringing down from Jefferson Barracks eighteen soldiers and
twenty-one laundresses, under command of Lieut. McArthur, en route for
Texas. They belong to the 2d
Cavalry, Company C, which were unable, owing to bad health, to leave the
Barracks at the starting of their company.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], November 14, 1855
(afternoon edition), p. 1, c. 6
The Campbells at Armory Hall.—We were not surprised to find another
crowded hall, across the way, last evening; for it is beyond question that a
more popular entertainment than that offered by West & Peel's talented
troupe of minstrels cannot be proposed. If
there by any truth in the maxim, that "variety is the spice of life,"
it finds one of its most forcible illustrations in the success of these
concerts. "From gay to grave,
from lively to severe," the programmes each evening offer to all tastes
something acceptable. Broad humor
and tender sentiment,--the fun of "Old Bob Ridley," and the touching
pathos of such songs as Farrenberg sings,--the drollery of Matt and the agility
of Tom Peel,--the artistic solo performances of the instrumentalists, and the
fine effects produced by the band; and then the operatic burlesques, and the
musing scenes so cleverly got up by way of terminating the performances, all
combine to form an entertainment of rare attractiveness.
This company has a great acquisition in Mr. Cotton, who is now the
"Stephen" of the sable troupe. His
'Bob Ridley" song and dance is beyond all comparison, the best thing of its
kind we have ever seen. There is a
genuine heartiness in his description of Bob—the very embodiment of real
worth. It were [sic] enough to
compensate one for a visit to Armory Hall but to hear this thing performed.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], November 15, 1855
(afternoon edition), p. 1, c. 4
Emigration from Georgia and East Alabama.—The Greensboro' (Ala.) Beacon
says that quite a number of persons have recently passed through that place on
their way to Texas. They were
generally from Georgia and East Alabama. One
part for Washington county, Texas, had with them about 100 negroes.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], November 16, 1855, p. 1,
c. 3
Matt Peel's Minstrels.—The fourth concert of the season, at Armory
Hall, last night, was attended by another full and fashionable audience, who
were presented with a programme rich in variety and in excellence of
performance.
This was "opera night," one of the leading features being a
grand scena [sic?] from the Itlaian opera in which Matt was the primo tenore,
Farrenberg the prima donna, and the rest of the cast judiciously filled
by Rumsey, Cotton, Gardner, keene, Ennis and Master Tom.
It was a capital burlesque; the grand combat portion of it a la
Hamlet, especially; and kept the audience in a roar of laughter from beginning
to end. So did Matt's and Rumsey's
"master and Pupil" banjo scene, and the "Hippodrome
Burlesque," in which both the Peels did wonders, as did Rumsey and Gardner.
Matt was decidedly himself at this concert.
Besides the performances already named, in which he took prominent parts,
he astonished the audience with his wonderful exploits on the bones, and, with
Master Tom, danced the "Drum Polka" with infinite grace.
For the rest, the performances were such as to give perfect satisfaction,
if we might judge from the applause and merriment of the house. Cotton's "Old Bob Ridley" still continues a feature
of the programme nightly.
The bill of last night is to be repeated this evening.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], November 17, 1855, p. 4, c. 2
Pure White and
Brown Mexican Petit
Gulf Cotton Seed.
The subscribers are now receiving large shipments of all the brands of
the above favorite Seed. Their long
residence in Rodney, Miss., (on the hills in the vicinity of which place these
Seeds are raised,) having rendered them familiar with the most approved brands,
enables them to offer to purchasers the certainty of being supplied with a
genuine article.
G. M. Bayly & Co., 22 Common street
and 35 Canal street.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], November 18, 1855, p. 1.
c. 7
Peel's Southern Opera House.—Second Week.—Armory Hall has been the
scene of uninterrupted merriment throughout the entire week, Peel having
reopened it for the season as "The Southern Opera House," with a
greatly increased troupe of talented performers, vocal, instrumental, and
chorographic. There has not been a
thin hall during the entire week, which fact demonstrates that the manager has
hit the public taste to a nicety, and has provided an acceptable amusement for
the season.
The second week commences to-morrow evening, (the Minstrels rest one
evening out of the seven from the labors of the week,) with a programme
containing several novel features. Matt
Peel, besides his performances in the choruses, &c. on the bones and his
conversational witticisms with "Mr. Johnson" and "Stephen,"
sings "The Sly Young Coon," dances his burlesque fling a la
Soto, and a double pas with Tom, plays a plantation banjo solo, and
"the amateur doorkeeper" in the "Grand Shakespearean Festival Bal
Masque," in which last, by the way, the whole force of the company are
engaged, each being fitted with a character.
Farrenberg, upon this occasion, sings the new song (composed by Peel,)
"Come maiden with me," besides "Lilly Brown," and "I
had a dream." Cotton, in
addition to his immense performance of "Old Bob Ridley, oh!" sings a
song about an "Old brown cow." Rumsey
adds to his banjo solo, with its local "Jordan" hits the song "I
wish I was in Old Virginny." Master
Tom Peel, the youthful champion, gives one of his best Virginia breakdowns, and
dances a "Pas d'Afrique" with Matt.
Keene plays a solo on the accordeon, and Dickinson, an air with
variations on the harp.
Among the great variety of pleasing performances which these evenings at
Armory Hall present to the admirers of good music, those of Mr. Keene upon the
accordeon attract a large share of attention and remark.
He certainly has attained a greater degree of perfection in the mastery
of this instrument than any other performer we have ever heard.
The ladies especially speak in raptures of his execution of those
beautiful and accurate imitations which he produces upon it, particularly the
bell choruses and echoes. Mr. Keene
is certainly one of the most popular features of Mr. Peel's well chosen troupe.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], November 21, 1855, p. 2,
c. 3
Emigration to Western Louisiana and Texas.
The Concordia Intelligencer, of Friday last, says:
The mighty tide of emigration from the exhausted Middle and old Southern
States to Western Louisiana and Texas, having for a time been suspended by the
hot season and the yellow fever, has now, we are most happy to announce,
commenced again with renovated energy. Strong
teams, comfortable wagons, containing large families of whites and blacks,
valuable household goods, and all the valuable goods and utensils of prosperous
labor, are now continually crossing the steam ferry at Vidalia.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], November 21, 1855
(afternoon edition), p. 4, c. 1
'Ow 'Orrid 'Ot!—So exclaims Mr. Fitzflunkey, the newly arrived Johnny
Bull, after sweltering for a few hours about the streets, puffing and blowing,
continually wiping from is big, round flushed face the streams of perspiration,
and no doubt fully appreciating Hamlet's exclamation:
"Oh! that this too
solid flesh would melt!" Iced
water, iced porter, iced ale, iced 'aff-an-aff can't assuage Fitzflunkey's
thirst. He burns; he swelters, he
gasps. He prays in vain for relief;
his sighs and pantings do not cool the burning air; his oft-recurring
reminiscences of the moist, cool, clammy, foggy Lunnun atmosphere but serve to
increase his torments. As he
waddles along, larding the lean earth, how he envies the small, meagre,
dried-up, yellow skinned Creole who saunters by, dressed all in loose, white
garments, his neat patent leather pumps, his white socks, his light cravat, his
little cane, his cigarrito, his Panama-looking hat with the white sack
and pants, and irreproachable shirt-front, as cool as the wearer is calm—just
as if both wearer and garments had stepped out of a refrigerator kind of a
bandbox to take a whiff of air and a gleam of sunshine.
The sight is striking and amusing, and is almost of daily occurrence just
now in our streets. The freshly
imported Englishman wonders how any civilized being can live in such "a dom—d
bloody ot climate;" the Creole takes another whiff at his cigarrito,
twirls his moustache and mutters: Quel
beau temps!"
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], November 21, 1855
(afternoon edition), p. 4, c. 2
"Whar did ye Come From?"—This question occasionally suggests
itself to new comers in Texas on meeting with certain tatooed Africans, who bear
upon their faces the lines of beauty traced by fish bones in the jungles of
Africa. The comparatively young
look of some of these sable sons of the third continent occasionally lead to
surmises that somebody has violated the laws of the United States or the former
Republic of Texas, declaring the African slave trade to be piracy.
Such a suspicion is unjust so far as we are informed.
While Texas was a part of Mexico, these strange people are said to gave
dropped down on the coast occasionally in a somewhat mysterious way, like frogs
in a shower. No statistics,
however, were preserved previous to 1835. In
that year it is shrewdly suspected that the American schooner Shenandoah landed
183, and the schooner Harriet 40 African negroes from Cuba, at the mouth of the
San Bernard. The next year it is
surmised that an unknown schooner landed 40 somewhere between Velasco and Caney,
and another vessel 200 at the Sabine; the latter being carried into Louisiana.
All this was amid the confusion of the Texas revolution.
There was a suspicion that 41 others were landed in the neighborhood of
the Brazos, in the winter of 1837-38 but this needs confirmation.—Galveston
Civilian.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], November 25, 1855, p. 1,
c. 6
The Ball Season Commencing.—The gaieties of a New Orleans winter season
are now about beginning, in the usual way.
Balls, masquerades, operas, theatres, concerts, social reunions following
each other rapidly from the ides of November to those of March, in rapid and
pleasing succession, or, in the case of some, continuing all the time without
interruption.
We notice among the announcements in this day's Picayune, that the Young
Men's Society, whose mask and fancy dress balls at Odd Fellow's Hall, have been
so popular heretofore, are about to give a new series, the first four of which
will take place on the evenings of December 14 and 21, January 18, and February
5. For the arrangements of these
balls, see the advertisement in another column.
The St. Charles, Orleans and Gaieties theatres will all be the scenes of
this department of our winter's entertainments.
The management of them is to be placed by the lessees of the respective
establishments in the hands of competent committees of gentlemen and will be
conducted on such a scale as to secure the countenance and participation of the
community. We shall refer to these
affairs more particularly hereafter.
We suppose that the usual soirees and balls will be given at the St.
Charles, St. Louis and City Hotels, at intervals during the season.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], November 25, 1855, p. 1,
c. 7
Dancing.—If it is a duty to cultivate amenities, if we may indulge in
innocent enjoyments, if we ought to acquire knowledge, accomplishments, and the
means of deriving pleasure for ourselves and imparting it to others, assuredly
the art Terpsichorean ought to be sedulously attended to. Of old it was thought discreditable not to be able to play on
the instrument passed round among the guests at parties. In our days, we may safely say that it is far more so not to
be able to join in the gay mazurka, the brilliant redowa, or the sprightly
polka. Parents, then, ought to
afford their children the full opportunity of learning to dance, and all of
riper years who have not had that opportunity ought to do so for themselves.
Mr. A. Gherardi, it will be seen, from his advertise[ment] in another
column, will, on the 1st prox., open his fashionable dancing academy,
at 175 Canal street, and has made arrangements for attending to all
requirements. He gives private
lessons.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], November 25, 1855, p. 7, c. 1
Saint Catherine's Day.
The twenty-fifth of November is the anniversary of Saint Catherine, still
honored on the Catholic Calendar, and not discarded from that of the Episcopal
Protestant Church. At one time,
abundantly within memory, the day was celebrated in many parts of England, and
yet more generally and ceremoniously in Ireland. She was esteemed the saint and patroness of spinsters, and
the holiday was observed by young women meeting and making merry together in
what was called a "Cathar'ning."
Anciently in Ireland, women and girls kept a fast every Wednesday and
Saturday throughout the year, and some of them also on St. Catherine's day; nor
would they omit it though it happened on their birthday, or though they were
ever so ill. The reason given for
it was that the girls might get good husbands, and the women better ones, either
by the death, desertion or reformation of their living ones.
The favor in which the name is held in Ireland among the females, is to
this day second, if to any, only to Bridget.
"Kathleen mavourneen," Kitty, or Kate, all know, is a universal
household call.
The observation of the day, however, has fallen into desultude almost
everywhere. The last occasion of
which we are aware of its having been observed in England was in 1825, as
recorded by Hone, on the authority of a correspondent.
A woman dressed in woman's clothes, he says, on that occasion, with a
large wheel by his side, to represent St. Catherine, was brought out of the
royal arsenal at Woolwich, about 6 o'clock in the evening, seated in a large
wooden chair and carried by men around the town, soliciting and obtaining
hospitalities at the various houses at which they called.
In some parts of Ireland its celebration, however, is not yet
forgotten—as a holiday, we mean—as it of course cannot be as a Church
Saint's day, in any Catholic country or community.
She is still prayed to and honored by hymns in mass books and breviaries;
"with stories of her miracles so wonderfully apocryphal that even Cardinal
Baronius blushes for the threadbare legends."
Weather permitting, it will be celebrated as a holiday in some sort, even
to-day, in New Orleans—and perhaps not altogether undesignedly.
According to Alban Butler, she was beheaded under Maxentius or Maximinius
II. She is said first to have been
put upon an engine made of four wheels joined together, and stuck with sharp
pointed spikes, that when the wheels were moved her body might be torn to
pieces. The acts add, that at the
first stirring of the terrible engine, the cords with which the martyr was tied
were broken asunder by the invincible power of an angel, and, the engine falling
to pieces by the wheels being separated from one another, she was delivered from
that death. Hence the name of
"St. Catherine's wheels," or "Catherine wheels," those great
favorites among the admirers of the pyrotechnic art, of which numerous specimens
will no doubt be seen at the exhibition intended to be given this evening, for
the benefit of the St. Mary's Orphan Asylum for Boys.
Some of the pictures of St. Catherine represent her at her pretended
marriage with Christ; others represent her simply with her wheel.
Hone, to whom we are indebted for most of our particulars, gives a very
good cut representing her as trampling beneath her feet the Emperor Maxentius.
Her head, from which her loose hair falls down her shoulders and back as
low as her knees, bears an elegant coronet, and is surrounded by the "halp."
She is robed in an ermine-lined robe of queenly magnificence, and on her
left arm rests a book which she is zealously but placidly studying; in her hand
is a sword of fully her own length, and by her side is the symbolical wheel.
Maxentius, beneath her feet, with his sceptre in one hand, while the
other grasps the nave of the wheel, is leaning on is elbow and looking up at
her, with what expression it would be hard to say.
It may be intended for fierceness; but it is much more like the
improbable one of complacent satisfaction.
Why she carries the sword, we are not told.
It may be that she has taken it from Maxentius.
Why she bears the book will be clear from what Butler tells us.
"From this martyr's erudition," he says, "and the
extraordinary spirit of piety by which she sanctified her learning, and the use
she made of it, she is chosen, in the schools, as the patroness and model of
christian philosophers."
She may therefore well be regarded as presiding over the exhibition
intended to be given to-day, and may she prove as kind and successful a
patroness as she has ever been feigned to be.
If she do not, we shall be inclined to coincide with those who doubt
whether she ever existed.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], November 28, 1855, p. 3, c. 1-2
My Old Street.
I had been residing in "my old street" some eighteen months,
and during that time I studied it pretty thoroughly.
Streets are like men: they
have their characters and characteristics; indeed, some streets, like some men,
have no character at all, and may, therefore, be said to have a bad character.
My old street has an indifferent reputation, based on what was really
once a very indifferent character. It
has reformed of late, however—just before I came into it—and since then it
has improved in moral deportment and sober citizen habits wonderfully.
Since I left, it may have relapsed—perhaps!
No one can rightfully say of it that "it is no better than it should
be." My down-town fashionable
acquaintances sneer at "my street"—hint at the
"swamp"—darkly insinuate "mosquitoes"—even murmur "galinippers."
All scandal, base scandal! True,
a small child, dressed in a very short unmentionable garment of white cotton,
suddenly disappeared on evening, about dusk.
There was quite an eruption of of mosquitoes just then, but strange to
say, they disappeared about the hour the little child, in the very short
unmentionable garments, did. They
were observed by a then scientific neighbor of mine, (who nightly takes lunar
observations through a segment of smoked glass,) going off in a dark, dense
body, towards the lake; but I stoutly maintained, and ever will stoutly
maintain, that the little boy that that scientific neighbor insinuated was
carried off by that winged horse of bill-bearers, disappeared from his usual
haunt—the dry gutter at the corner—in a proper and natural way. Before hand, and in imagination, I sat on him, with the
weight of twelve men, and find a verdict of "_____ _____!"
My street had reformed, did I say? Why,
there is a negro church two squares below, and another only one above me, and
only two groceries, and an ale house still nearer.
Both the churches are crowded every Sunday by the most respectable
members of our colored society. In
the hottest weather they lock the doors and put down the windows.
I must add that they do the same in cold weather.
One of the most regular female attendants is a thin, yellow visaged
individual, who has, to my knowledge, been regularly and legitimately married
some five or twelve times. She is
somewhere between thirty and sixty years of age.
She espouses none but religiously indeed colored persons.
She goes only to the church that her spouse de facto visits; and,
as each of her husbands has been of a different religious sect from his
predecessors, it may well be believed that she has had a good deal of
"experience" in her time. In
fact, the "brothers" and "sisters" form one of the principal
characteristics of "my old street."
That is, they do so on Sundays, of week days one can't tell them from
common darkies. They show forth on
Sundays, however, in all their bravery and color—the
"brothers" in broadcloth and black hats—one of them invariably in
soiled white kid gloves much too large for him—the "sisters" in
black bonnets and gowns precisely of the same cut and pattern.
They are continually going by in long processions, looking very neat and
orderly, to be sure; but where they go, where they come from, why they come, why
they go, when they come back, are mysteries yet unsolved.
Funerals are their delight. They
have one nearly every week. I
believe they get up mock displays of the kind, especially to gratify their
peculiar taste. This they can
easily do, if there's an undertaker of their own color but a square from me, who
has a large establishment and does a thriving business.
He's a stout, stately, portly, roast-coffee-tinted gentleman, drives his
gig like his patrons and friends, the doctors; always looks grave and sombre;
wears nothing but black, (except his shirt) and has certainly quite a pretty
taste in coffins—as I have seen in several instances. He has a coffin show shop on one side of the street and a
hearse stable on the other, both modest and quiet places, as quiet as the
grave-yard near by.
German children make up the next characteristic of "my street."
White-headed, blue eyed, dirty, chubby faced, loud voiced children!
Kites up all day! Fire-crackers
let off at unexpected moments, be it holiday or not!
Small fires of chips, built against palings and fences, keeping one in
constant dread of a conflagration. Teutonic
feuds now and then—much talking, much noise!
not much harm done! Pieces
of hard mud and bundles of hard, jaw-breaking words scattered about profusely.
Vociferous mothers rush from back yards to the rescue of their offspring.
More talking! more noise!
harder words than before! Pipe
smoking, beer-imbibing fathers appear! Louder
talking! louder noise!
hardest words of all! A
calm! Peace is restored!
The clans withdraw; the little boy, who, in his eagerness to watch the
fray, dropped the ice his mother sent him for, now sees the said ice in
fragments at his feet; he incontinently sets up a lamentable cry; a female form,
armed with a switch, looms round the fence at the corner; strange sounds are
heard, mingled ominously with exceedingly lamentable cries; the female form
retires around the fence, brandishing the switch triumphantly and threateningly;
the small boy, led off in tears and disgrace, feel that there are wounds that
even "Greenland's icy mountains" cannot heal.
The two grog chops and the lager-bier saloon yield up libations to
console the masculine disputants.
That dog again! Yep! yep! yep!
That dog is a curiosity! He
lives opposite me, i. e. when I lived there.
The gate of the dwelling he condescends to protect, is generally about
wide enough open to allow him ready egress.
It looks, however—treacherous gate!—as if it were shut.
Many dogs perambulate "my street."
Wo to the unfortunate canine creature that happens to pass between that
gate and an imaginary line drawn down the middle of the street.
That dog, ensconced amid shrubbery or lying perdu behind a porch
pillar, where he can sweep the horizon, is out in an instant.
Fierce—fiery—he rushes at the intruder.
His bark, his appearance are terrifying!
No sooner is his alarm sounded, than out jump, from various hiding places
up and down the street, other dogs. They
too are fiery and fierce! They too
bark terrifically! They too rush at
the intruder! The intruder, however
brave, is taken by surprise. He has
but one course left—the straight course before him.
He flies! They follow!
He is apparently on the point of being devoured.
He evidently is himself persuaded that such is the dire fate reserved for
him. He strains every nerve!
If he can but gain the corner! he
does gain the corner; he turns swiftly; he is seen no more.
His pursuers, strange to say, stop abruptly at the corner, take a long
look after him, then turn and trot back in high glee, giggling and laughing at
the fright they threw that poor sinner into.
They wouldn't a-hurt a hair of his hide!
Not they! That's their fun!
That dog is their leader. He
has evidently planned the whole thing, and carried it into execution long ago.
It is now a system. He knows
as well as Barnum what humbugging means.
The view from the rear of my dwelling—when I lived in it—was, and no
doubt now is, quite refreshing. There
is a garden of tolerably large dimensions immediately behind that small tenement
in the back yard, where my predecessors kept hens, and where I kept coal, and a
ruined flower pot. The view beyond
is despotically put a stop to by an unconscionably high wall of a frame
building, by whom or for what purpose occupied I cannot vouch. That wall is a blank—an obtrusive reality—not a window in
it—nothing but a row of cooing and strutting pigeons, on the very edge of its
dizzy, peaked roof. I liked to
watch those pigeons of a windy day; when tempestuous and cloudy so much the
better. Below them was nothing but
the dark wall; above, the black, frowning sky, 'tween which and earth these airy
creatures, with arrow-like swiftness, darted to and fro in their innocent
gambolings, as glad and free as the wild clouds careering above them.
Not even the cabbages, and eggplants, and cauliflowers, scattered about
in this garden, could divest it for me of a certain charm of freshness and
verdure—of waving trees, deep shade gleamed over with darting sunbeams; the
buzz of insects, gaudy butterflies flaunting here and there, rustling leaves and
gnarled trunks, that took me far, far away from the dry, dusty, dreary city, to
the deep woods, where solitude reigns; where hours of quiet reverie pass in free
enjoyment of cool shadows and cozy nooks. A
little child sat all alone, singing softly to the butterflies, and playing under
the broad fig tree; and, listen! a
partridge's clear, mellow voice piped close by—the pigeon's coo!—'t is
almost the wood-dove's plaintive note—the wind rustles loud among the
branches!—could I not fancy myself where that poor, imprisoned partridge would
be!
Bang! bang!
bang! A piano!
Bang! Another piano!
Bang! klang brrrang! Still another! I
am surrounded by pianos!—C-r-r-r-rash! There
goes one on my own premises. A
guinea hen next door sounds an alarum; some geese join in; some ducks follow
suit; a horse that I have never seen but often hear—dwelling in an invisible
stable close by—stamps and neighs his disapproval; as invisible a pig sets up such
a squealing, and my gracious! there are those two broken-winded, note-crazed hand organs
again—one at one corner, one at the other—one murdering a Strauss waltz, the
other mangling a march by Meyerbeer; while an enthusiastic German, dwelling not
far off, begins to blow out his brains through a diabolical brass instrument!
Girl, my hat! "My old
street" shall see me no more, not even in imagination.
EASY DUBBLEYEW.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], November 29, 1855, p. 3,
c. 1
Embellishments in Pantaloonery.—The Springfield (Mass.) Republican has
the annexed paragraph, interesting to "fast men" generally:
Our "fast folks" are just now luxuriating in fancy pantaloon
cloths, made by E. S. Hill, of Millville, in Worcester county. One style is patriotic, having Stewart's head of Washington,
about the size of an American dollar, in the centre of a square figure,
surrounded by a wreath of flowers. Another
large figure is equally republican, it being the picture of the spread eagle,
which grasps the shield in one claw and the forked lightning in the other, the
whole surrounded by appropriate figures and views.
Still another style shows a locomotive in the centre, with the cars in
juxtaposition, and another yet has a fire engine in the centre figure, with a
border of coiled hose.
THE DAILY PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS], December 1, 1855, p. 4,
c. 1
Knitting Machine.—One of the neatest pieces of mechanism exhibited at
the New York Fair, is a knitting machine. It
was the only one in the fair, and attracted a great deal of attention.
It knits silk, linen, cotton or woolen; equally well, and makes 1,400
stitches per minute. One machine can easily knit 100 legs of half hose per
day.—Exchange.
"One of the neatest pieces of machinism," [sic] as a knitting
machine, we ever saw, had gentle, blue eyes, and a most encouraging smile.
But that was some time ago, and we fear that sort of knitters are going
out of fashion, with the soft-toned little wheel and the old loom in the garret,
and the apron of check, and the home-made woolen gown, and a thousand things
besides, that the world is not a whit better for losing.—Chicago Journal.