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wide is to be laid out on the banks of the Mississippi, and the trees now ornamenting it are to be preserved for the same purpose. Twelve acres, in a central part of the city, are to be reserved in like manner, and embellished and regulated by the magistracy for publie walks; forty half-acre lots for other public purposes; and one lot of twelve acres for the King's use.

As the vicinity of this city is rich beyond description, and abounding with every advantage required by man to render his life luxuriant and comfortable, there can be no doubt but that it will possess a wealthy population, especially as Colonel Morgan, the proprietor under the King, is liberal in making free grants to mechanics, and intends disposing of the whole of the forty thousand city-lots at a rate that will be but equal to ten dollars per acre.

LETTER XLII.

The religion and commerce of New Orleans.

New Orleans, November, 1806.

MY last conveyed to you general ideas of the city, and of the climate of Lower Louisiana. I confine myself now to the religion and commerce of this place.

The religion is Roman Catholic: that is, the religion of the French and Spanish is Catholic: as for the Americans they have none. They disregard the Sabbath entirely; or, if they go to the Catholic church, there not being any other, they go as to a spectacle, where fine women are to be seen, and where fine music is to be heard!

The Catholic church, as well as the town-house, the jail, and the palace of the priests, were all built by the once celebrated merchant, Don André, on condition that he should be made a Noble of Spain. He lived to expend two millions of dollars on these and other public works, but died before the ambitious honors were lavished on him; and his wife has the mortification still to be called Madame André.

The church is a very large structure, built of brick, and plastered and painted in front, to give it the appearance of marble.

The altar is magnificent for the western world, and is adorned with paintings and sculpture of considerable taste.

Queen Esther fainting away in the presence of Ahasueras is fine; for though she is lost to sense, and in a swoon, her majesty and beauty still remain. She is dressed in her royal robes, and as she

sinks, she leans to the right side, and. is supported by one of the ladies who attend her; they are six in number, elegantly dressed, and handsome. There is another lady and a youth, who do their utmost to keep the Queen from falling. Her neck is bare, and her arms hang motionless; and her body is as weak and helpless as if the soul hadleft it the retiring of the blood, the falling of the muscles, and the natural and graceful manner in which she dies away, are expressed with the greatest skill and propriety. The King seems surprised, and rises from his throne with his sceptre in his hand, as giving his assistance. The persons that attend upon the King, both by their actions and countenances, appear to be under the same concern. Haman, who is the cause of this distress, stands in the presence chamber, wearing a gold collar, behind the throne, and appears to be

affected, and to share in the calamity. There stands a spirited figure of an officer, in rich armour, with one of the ensigns of war in his hand; his attention seems to be taken up with what passes. At a distance are other soldiers that belong to the guard. There is a youth also near the throne, dressed in scarlet, with a white shock dog in his arms, which has a very good effect.

In the sacristy there are several relics; among which is a thorn of our Saviour's crown, tinged with his blood; a cloth of Santa Veroneca, enriched with his image, and a cross, of Indian workmanship, said to have been found on the bank of the Riviere Noir, on the very spot where the famous Ferdinand de Loto ended his discoveries and his life, and where his remains now lie buried. The priest who exhibited the altar and the relics, appeared much displeased with the little belief afforded them by

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