I come now to another singular demonstration, to be met with only in
New Orleans. It is a circle of “_fashionable ladies_,” who occupy a
position in society only a step below the leaders among the “upper
ten thousand.” They are also girls of excellent education, of
superior accomplishments, and of great personal beauty, and present a
combination of all the charms that can make a female attractive. There
are quite a large number of them here, and they occupy no mean position
in point of influence and condition in the circle of society. By their
course of life they have amassed large fortunes, and are living in a
style that few can imitate. Their dwellings and every thing around
them, are of the greatest comfort and ease; and every thing they can
desire, in servants, horses and carriages, is at their command. They
have brought themselves into this position by their superior charms and
attractions, in being able to select their companions from among the
rich and reckless young men, who annually come down here to learn the
ways of the world. In their intercourse in society they claim to be
entirely above the common herd of prostitutes, and regard themselves
quite respectable. The reigning belle, at the present time, among them,
is a girl from Louisville, Kentucky. And in all that can render a
female beautiful, attractive and charming, she doubtless presents more
in form and features that captivates the beholder, than was ever before
met with in a human being. In addition to all these combinations, the
splendor of her costume, when in full dress--the display of costly
diamonds and jewels, together with her artful and winning smiles and
transcendent beauty, strike the beholder with an awe that banishes from
the mind every idea that he is in the presence of and looking upon a
corrupt and vicious being, whose whole current of life has been one
continued stream of pollution and death. It is so unnatural that a
being of such mould, angelic in form and expression, and with a mind
of superior caste flashing out from every glance, should stand before
you with every impulse and every attribute of the soul prostrated to
the most venal and debasing practices that sicken and disgust the
moral sensibilities. And yet at her shrine, and in her wake, are found
the rich and exalted in society, who are proud and even boast that
they have been her companions, and being thus favored is a climax in
“_fashionable life_,” which they regard as a distinguished honor. And
here she moves, a being that attracts more attention, and is followed
by more eyes, and with a longer gaze, when she walks or rides out, than
any prince or princess that moves in royal sphere. It is said that her
jewelry and diamonds, in finger-rings, ear-jewels, and breast pins, and
wristlets, and gold chains, and watch, are worth upwards of thirty-five
thousand dollars. And these have all been lavished upon her by those
who have fallen within the circle of those seductive charms, that,
serpent-like, never miss their victim.