Poydras street, and a new building, called the Washington school, on
Magazine, at the corner of Basin street; but since that, the
undertaking has been continually extending, until it was found
necessary to erect another structure, the Franklin school, on St.
Charles street--all of which are now scarcely sufficient to answer the
increasing demand for admission.
That, which at first was tested as an experiment, has proved to be a
successful enterprise, producing an example which promises to have a
beneficial influence over the southern method of education. It found
strong opposition and prejudice to contend against, but these have
subsided--and the children of the rich and the poor are seated side by
side, sharing advantages and striving intellectually--the only
distinction recognized among them--"teaching one, as well as informing
the other, that adventitious wealth confers no superiority over the
fortunate competitor, when engaged in a contest of the mind."
The third municipality school is under the charge of Mr. Geo. W.
Harby. All the branches of a good education are taught here in the
English, French and Spanish languages. Although this school is under
excellent discipline, and has all the advantages of a classical and
gentlemanly teacher, it still has labored under the old regime, and
could have educated double the number that have attended it. That
nothing stands still is as applicable to the intellectual as to the
physical world. Already the spirit of improvement, that has done so
much for the second municipality, is busy in the first and third--and
though slowly, it is as sure, eventually, to push its way into them as
water is to find its own level. Beside the public schools, there are
many private seminaries of a high order, and conducted by teachers of
ability, where the wealthy, who have objections to those above
designated, may send their children for instruction.
The education of youth is of the utmost importance to a
country--especially to one like this, that should be governed by the
intelligence of its citizens. The portals to learning should be thrown
wide open, equally to all--for upon knowledge is based the beautiful
temple of liberty. Tear away this foundation and the fair edifice must
fall. Cherish and support it, and freedom will become as permanent as
our rocks, as ever-lasting as our hills.
PUBLIC SCHOOL LYCEUM AND SOCIETY LIBRARY
The intention of this undertaking, is to establish a library for the
benefit of the juvenile class of the second municipality, by the
voluntary subscriptions and contributions of the scholars attached to
the public schools, and by private donations. To advance this
important object, the common council passed an ordinance organizing
the establishment, regulating and directing its proceedings, and
tendering liberal advantages to encourage success in its operations.
When $5000 are subscribed they are pledged to furnish rooms to
accommodate the library--and, as soon as it amounts to $15,000, to
purchase ground and erect suitable buildings. It also provides that,
at a certain period, a chemical and philosophical apparatus shall be
purchased, and lectures delivered once a week, during eight months of
the year, by the most competent men in the country, on astronomy,
geology, chemistry, natural and moral philosophy, navigation,
book-keeping, engineering, civil architecture and design, and such
other useful branches as may be determined by the directors--who are
the same as those of the public schools, with the mayor, recorder and
aldermen as _ex-officio_ members. The scholar paying twenty-five
cents a month, or three dollars a year, for three years, is
constituted a life member, and for ever after may have access to this
excellent institution. Such has been the success of this undertaking
that a building will soon be provided, and very little time will
transpire before it will realize all the advantages that its beginning
promised. To Samuel J. Peters, Esq., particularly, is this city
indebted for introducing and maturing this measure--and for generous
presents, to many other citizens and strangers, who have not permitted
their names to come before the world.
* * * * *
The growing popularity of the "_People's Lyceum_," and of the "_Young
Men's Literary Association_," is noticed with no ordinary feelings of
gratification. These, commenced and continued by the young, fostered
and cherished by all--have become a cheering sight to the eye of the
christian, the patriot, and the philanthropist. Established upon
judicious principles, tending to give a wholesome direction and
salutary stimulus to the mind of their members, the moral influence
may be deemed of incalculable consequence to this growing metropolis.
History and science are the leading objects of their inquiry,
facilitated and encouraged by the delivery of lectures, affording not
only instruction but recreation--creating a taste for the rapid
acquirement of knowledge--giving a new impulse to the intellectual
powers, and to the advancement of literature--all nobly contributing
to the refinement and happiness of mankind. These, and others in the
course of being established under the auspices of our most eloquent
and learned literati, the city may class among the brightest of her
jewels.
[Illustration]
MEDICAL COLLEGE OF LOUISIANA
This building is erected on a fine lot of ground, on the corner of
Common and Philippa streets, granted to the college by a recent act of
the legislature. It was designed by, and completed under the direction
of Mr. Dakin, architect, whose reputation is a guaranty for its taste
and elegance. The location is retired, and yet near all the public
buildings and thoroughfares. The faculty of this institution are
gentlemen of superior qualifications, enthusiastic in their zeal to
give it the first place among the kindred establishments of the
country. The advantages of New Orleans, for acquiring a practical
knowledge of medicine and surgery, are superior to any city in the
United States, especially for the study of all diseases peculiar to a
southern climate. The facilities for prosecuting the study of anatomy
and surgery are unrivalled. The school is well furnished with models,
plates, casts, and every thing necessary for illustrations. The
requisitions for graduation are those adopted by the best colleges.
With these advantages presented to southern students, they will see
the benefits resulting from an institution built up among them,
conducted by gentlemen acquainted by experience with the wants of the
country.
* * * * *
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF PAINTINGS
This establishment occupies rooms, expressly built for its
accommodation, at 13 St. Charles street, and was opened in 1844, under
the personal inspection of the proprietor, Mr. G. Cooke, who is
himself an artist of taste, and well known among the profession. The
principal object was, to form a rallying point for the exhibition of
the works of celebrated artists, both of foreign and American origin,
and to dispose of such as might please the fancy of the public, at a
certain fixed price. Here, visitors will have an opportunity of
selecting copies and originals from a quarter that may be relied
upon, works both of the old masters, and of the best of the modern
schools.
The proprietor is under obligations to a number of the gentlemen of
this city, connoisseurs of painting, for the exhibition of some of the
most prominent pieces. From R. D. Shepherd, Esq., he has a picture by
Rothmel, representing De Soto discovering the Mississippi. If this
artist should leave no other work, his reputation, as a genius of no
ordinary ability, will remain as durable as the canvas on which he has
portrayed the Spaniard and the "Father of Waters."
From James Robb, Esq., whose magnificent collection of modern
paintings is better known in other cities than our own, the gallery
has received its richest treasures, and most valuable contributions.
The chef d'oeuvre is from the pencil of a native artist now at Rome,
Leutze; and illustrates this sentence in our Lord's prayer--"deliver
us from evil." To speak of this gem in terms equal to its merits,
would place it immeasurably above the estimation of the age in which
we live. Aware that it may be considered presumption to compare living
genius with the justly venerated names of the immortal dead, whose
works, on account of their antiquity and intrinsic worth, are doubly
valued--yet, at the risk of losing our little reputation in such
matters, we venture the assertion that this picture of Leutze's will
compare with the most beautiful of the Italian school, and is
excelled by none in America, not excepting those of our lamented and
talented Alston. This picture alone would make any gallery in Europe
attractive, and the public are greatly indebted to Mr. Robb for the
opportunity he has afforded them of seeing not only this, but many
other brilliant productions.
Here, also, is a landscape of no ordinary excellence, by Boddington,
an English artist, who has most successfully represented one of his
native scenes, in a style of handling peculiarly true and free. Here
may be seen four of Doughty's best landscapes, and several fine
specimens from the pencils of Cole and Chapman. The portrait of Col.
David Crocket, as large as life, in his forest costume, by Chapman,
and two large altar pieces, copied from celebrated works in the
Vatican--The Entombing of Christ, after Corregio--and The Crucifixion
of St. Peter, after Guido--comprise a portion of the more recent
additions to the gallery.
Among the most attractive performances, are The Wreck of the Medusa,
The Roman Forum, and a Sketch of Rome--from the pencil of the
proprietor. The first of these is very much admired--but, to the
classical visitor, the last two are far more fascinating; calling up,
as they do, with all their endearing associations, our happy
school-day remembrances.
Much more might be said respecting this establishment, but the brevity
of these pages will not permit an indulgence of our wishes in a more
minute detail.
* * * * *
It is probably the general impression of strangers, suggested by the
limited number and extent of the public galleries of paintings in this
city, that there is, among us, an entire deficiency of a proper taste
for the fine arts. And we may, ourselves, inadvertently have
contributed to such an impression, by representing our citizens as
exclusively absorbed in commercial pursuits. It must be received,
however, with many abatements. We have our artists, and not a few of
them, who are highly talented, and deservedly patronised.
There are choice collections of paintings in the possession of several
private gentlemen, other than those already alluded to; among which
are many valuable productions, not only of the modern but ancient
masters, purchased at enormous prices.
Among others, those owned by our highly esteemed fellow-citizens,
Glendy Burke, H. R. W. Hill, and Joseph M. Kennedy, Esqs., are well
worth a visit of the connoisseur and admirer of fine specimens of the
arts, to which the known courtesy of the proprietors will cheerfully
afford ready access. The only original painting of the famous Wilkie
in this country, is in the splendid collection of Mr. Burke.
Several fine specimens of original statues are in the possession of
James Dick, and John Hagan, Esqs., which are not excelled by any
collection in this country.
* * * * *
THE PRESS
"What is it but a map of busy life,
Its fluctuations, and its vast concerns?"
The diurnal press of this country, is not only a mighty political
engine, but one of the utmost importance in a commercial and literary
point of view. Its increase, within a few years past, like its
extending liberty, is without a parallel, and almost beyond belief.
Junius, in his peculiar manner, observes, that "they who conceive that
our newspapers are no restraint upon bad men, or impediment to the
execution of bad measures, know nothing of this country." The force of
this remark applies nowhere better than to the Press of the United
States.
Every enlightened American, who loves the constitution of his country,
and correctly estimates its lofty principles, will lend his aid to
preserve these invaluable privileges from the violation of power on
the one hand, and the equally injurious outrages of popular
licentiousness on the other.
The press of this city comes in for a portion of the credit that is
attached to that of the country--more particularly for its elaborate
commercial details and general literature. To embody the spirit of the
age; to relieve the grave by the gay; and to embellish the useful by
the amusing, is its daily task. The choicest of home and foreign
literature is found in the leading issues from the New Orleans press.
It is equally interesting to the merchant and the general reader; and
it preserves, above all its cotemporaries of other cities, a
self-respect that does infinite credit to the gentlemen to whose hands
the important trust is confided.
There are eight daily papers published in New Orleans--three of which
may be rated as of the "mammoth" size; the other five are smaller, but
of sufficient dimensions to furnish the ordinary news of the day. They
are as follows:
The Louisiana Courier is the only evening paper of the city, and is
published in French and English. This is the pioneer, before referred
to in this work, under the name of "La Moniteur." The Bee, also in
French and English, and the Commercial Bulletin, in English, make up
the three mammoth sheets. The Picayune, the Tropic, the Jeffersonian
Republican, the Native American, and the New Orleans Times, are all
in English. The New Orleans Price Current is a very useful
publication, issued twice a week.
In addition to these, the Catholics and Protestants each have their
weekly Journals, and the Medical faculty their bi-monthly Periodicals,
edited by the most prominent members of the profession, and devoted to
Medicine, and Collateral Sciences. They are intended to bring forth
the industry and talents of the profession in the South, and to
furnish the most recent information of its progress generally.
The subject of Organic Chemistry is that to which, at the present day,
the eyes of all thinking members of the profession are directed, and
upon which their hope of progress mainly depends,--the relations of
chemical action to the functions of organized matter, the application
of chemistry to physiology and pathology, are to be treated of as
fully as present knowledge extends.
Such contributions to the noble science, in which these gentlemen have
long been successful laborers, cannot fail to be properly estimated
throughout the scientific world.
AMUSEMENTS
At the commencement of the holidays, the city begins to put on a gay
aspect. Visitors, from all parts of the habitable globe, have arrived,
either on business or pleasure. A general round of balls, masquerades,
soirees and parties begin, and are continued without intermission
during the season. Theatres and operas, with their _stars_ and _prima
donnas_, circuses and menageries, bell-ringers and serenaders, are in
full success--and New Orleans, filled with every description of
amusement, from the top of the drama down to Judy and Punch. Strangers
are surprised and delighted at the splendor that is carried out in
these circles of pleasure. Our present object, however, is merely to
describe the most conspicuous places of public resort.
ORLEANS THEATRE
The site of this building was occupied by an edifice erected for
dramatic performances in 1813, somewhat on the plan of the one now
existing. This, which was built by a joint stock company, was burnt to
the ground in 1816. Mr. John Davis afterwards became the sole
proprietor, and began the erection of the present theatre.
[Illustration]
The building was opened by the first dramatic corps, ever in Louisiana
directly from France, in November, 1819. The total cost of the edifice
was about $180,000. The lower story is of the Roman Doric order,
certainly not a pure specimen. The upper is what may be called the
Corinthian composite. The interior and scenic arrangements of the
house are excellent for seeing and hearing, having a pit, or
parquette, quite elevated and commodious, with grated boxes at the
side for persons in mourning; two tiers of boxes, and one of galleries
above; the whole being of such a form as to afford the greatest
accommodation to the spectators.
Nothing can exceed the decorum of the audience, except the brilliancy
of the dress circle, which, on certain occasions, is completely
filled with the beautiful ladies of our city, in full evening
costume. The performances are in the French language, and the stock
company always respectable. The orchestra is excellent. Melodramas and
operas are perfectly got up at this house. The strict adherence to
nature and history, in costume and manners, will never fail to please
the man of taste who visits the Orleans theatre.
THE NEW ST. CHARLES THEATRE
Like the phoenix, literally arose from the ashes of its predecessor.
The first house was erected by the sole exertions of James H.
Caldwell, Esq., in 1835, at the cost of $250,000, exclusive of the
ground. It occupied one hundred and twenty-nine feet front by one
hundred and eighty-six deep, and was seventy-six high. It held four
thousand people, and was the fourth in size in the world--one at St.
Petersburg, in Russia, another at Pescala, in Milan, and the third at
San Carlos, in Naples, were those only which excelled it in size. It
was destroyed by fire in 1842. That structure was styled "the Temple
of the Drama," and the city had good reason to be proud of such an
ornament.
The present building has a front of seventy-nine feet on St. Charles
street, extends back one hundred and forty-nine, and is fifty-three
high. The main entrance and front wall are remains of the former
establishment; which, from the substantial workmanship, resisted the
conflagration so effectually as to be made available the second time.
Passing this memento, the spectator finds himself in the vestibule,
thirty-four by twenty-three feet, from which a double flight of
geometrically formed stairs ascend to the first tier. Here the pit is
seen in a semi-circular shape. The centre box is but fifty-one feet
from the foot lights, which brings the audience within a convenient
distance of the stage. The depth of the front boxes to the rear is
twenty-one feet. The proscenium presents an elevation of thirty-nine
feet in the clear, by fifty in width. The upper circles of boxes
possess the like advantage of the first, in respect to a distinct view
of the performances.
The fronts of the boxes consist of an open balustrade, producing a
novel, and agreeable effect. The dome is ornamented with sunken
panels, suitably embellished with emblematic devices. A golden-fringed
national drapery falls from the proscenium, displaying an ingeniously
contrived allegory in the centre. Four columns sustain an ornamented
entablature above, composed of a mixed style of architecture, and
copied after those of the celebrated temple of Benares.
THE AMERICAN THEATRE
Burnt on the 30th of July, 1842, was rebuilt and reopened on the 5th
of December following, at a cost of $28,000. The building is ninety by
one hundred and fifty feet, and sufficiently elevated for all the
purposes of the drama, but irregular in its altitude. The depth of the
stage is sixty feet, and the width of the proscenium thirty-eight. The
house will accommodate over fifteen hundred persons. It stands near
Lafayette square, on Poydras street; and, from its isolated position,
presents quite an imposing appearance.
THE CIRCUS
The company have fitted up the old depot of the Carrolton rail-road,
situated on the corner of Poydras and Baronne streets, as a place for
exhibiting feats of horsemanship. As the buildings possess no especial
interest beyond these performances, they require no particular
description--but as this amusement has an attraction for almost every
class of visitors, not to have referred to it might have been deemed
an inexcusable oversight. There is a stage attached to this
establishment; and farces and the ballet relieve the monotony of the
sports of the ring.
THE PUBLIC SQUARES
Although the public squares in New Orleans are neither numerous, nor
upon a very extended scale, they are located with good taste, and are
exceedingly convenient. The centres of Canal, Esplanade, Rampart and
Basin streets have a very considerable space set apart for
embellishments. Shrubbery, and other ornaments, are in progress, and
they already begin to assume a beauty that does much credit to the
city authorities. Nothing is more conducive to health than these
pleasant resorts for wholesome exercise. Here the toil-worn citizen,
the wearied scholar, and the confined artizan, may breathe the fresh
air, enjoy a delightful morning or evening promenade, and catch an
imaginary enjoyment, in miniature, of the blessed country.
WASHINGTON SQUARE is in the third municipality; is bounded by the
Elysian Fields, Great-Men's, Casa Calvo and Frenchmen streets.--Though
admirably situated, owing to the distance it stands from the denser
portion of the city, it has not yet received those attentions which,
at some future day, will render it a beautiful promenade.
PLACE D'ARMES, or _Parade Square_, is still more prominent, and is
embellished with fine trees; but, as it is in the centre of the first
municipality, with the public buildings on one front and the levee on
the other, it is a matter of surprise that it has not been improved in
a style worthy of the inhabitants; who, certainly are capable of
appreciating the advantages of such delightful grounds.
CIRCUS PLACE is below Rampart street, with St. Claude on the rear, and
St. Ann and St. Peter streets on its sides. This is the square once
known as _Congo Park_; and is the place where the negroes, in olden
times, were accustomed to meet to while away the cares of servitude.
Many an old inhabitant can remember when he beheld these thoughtless
beings dancing "Old Virginia never tire," or some other favorite air,
with such a hearty gusto, upon the green sward, that the very ground
trembled beneath their feet. Though the loud laugh, and the
unsophisticated break-down, and double-shuffle of these primitive days
have ceased, the spot yet remains, with all its reminiscences, as
original as ever, with its capabilities of improvement still
unimpaired.
LAFAYETTE SQUARE is decidedly the handsomest in the city. It is in the
second municipality, and has St. Charles and Camp streets in front
and rear, and several public buildings in its immediate neighborhood.
It has a handsome and substantial iron railing around it, based upon
well laid blocks of granite; is well laid off in regular walks, and is
ornamented with beautiful and rare shrubbery, set out with geometrical
accuracy on a raised surface, calculated to make it dry and pleasant.
ANNUNCIATION SQUARE, in the same municipality, is the largest, and,
consequently, may some day become the most elegant in the city. Orange
and Race streets are on its front and rear--and facing are some very
tasteful private residences.
TIVOLI CIRCLE, as its name would imply, is a circular piece of land
laid off as a public ground in Nyade, at the head of St. Charles
street, and is intended to be ornamented.
THE OLDEN TIME
Antiquity! the olden time! the hoary, venerable past! there is
something sacred and soul subduing in the very sound of the words.
Like the dying echo of the last tones of the departed, it is full of
hallowed memories, and cherished associations, that haunt the inner
chambers of the imagination, and linger with a mournful tenderness
about the better feelings of the heart.