American States and Cities [pp. 256-265]

LOUISIANA. 263
7.-THE WATERING-PLACES OF LOUISIANA.
We condense, from the humorous contributions of our friends of the Delta, a
sketch of the beautiful summer retreats which are spread along the coasts of the
Mississippi and the Gulf of Mexico, in the immediate vicinities of New Orleans
and Mobile. It will be seen, that for some of the good things of life we South erners in " sultry climes" are not so bad off after all.
I. Pass Christia -.-First to Pass Christian, the nearest point to New Orleans,
and consequently the most accessible and desirable for those city gentlemen who
cannot leave the city for any length of time. Here you can get splendid accom modations at the elegant house of our friend Montgomery-successor to Ward here, too, you have a tolerable good bath, and good fish and oysters, though it is a
long-stretch of white beach to the sea. There are a good many private residences
and villas here, and many staid and solemn people, who are perfectly satisfied to
sit in their balconies, to smoke their Victorias, nurse their appetites, and play out
in their imaginations numerous little fishing parties. Boat excursions, lovely
storms, snow-capped billows, boats capsized, bold swimming, sharks pursuing,
and-but the tragic sequel drives the imagination off into other spheres, and the
approaching season, with all its uncertainties-its cotton, sugar and breadstuff
operations-the next steamer's news-the crops, the cotton-worm, potato rot, &c.,
compose the stagle of our city denizen's reflections, as he looks out upon the ocean
from his villa's balcony and views the broad sea, a fit emblem of the uncertainties of trade and commerce.
II. Mississippi City.-Next we approach that great invisible town, destined to
eclipse our own Crescent City, the only apparent remains of which are the almost
endless pier and tottering wharf. But we are told, for we have never trusted our
precious bodies on that pier, which the enterprise and genius of the Mississippi
speculators erected, to receive the vast produce which was so confidently expected
to be landed here for reshipment to Europe-we have never essayed the long
journey along that pier, but we understand that when you have once reached the
land. there are many pleasant little houses nestled in the live oaks, where you
may pass a few weeks very delightfully.
Ill1. Biloxi.-Biloxi is the largest of any of the sea-side resorts. Its regular
population must be five or six hundred, and its visiting population considerably
more than double that number. Biloxi has many advantages. The town is right
on the sea; there is no long white beach to traverse before you can reach the sea;
and the soil is good, producing vegetables, and a fine growth of trees. Here you
can always get a fine supply of fish and oysters, and an abundance of' fruit and
all other vegetables. There are a half dozen excellent houses in Biloxi.
IV. Bay of St. Louis.-This is a beautiful place, where the land is high and
well timbered, the country around well cultivated, with fine roads, and an abundance of all the conveniences and pleasures, both of the sea-side and back-country.
It is generally resorted to by families, and such families too! To our ancient or
creole population, this has ever been an attractive and popular resort.
V. Pascagoula.-The place is appropriately called by such a soft and beautiful
name. Pascagoula is perhaps the most desirable of all the places on the Gulf,
with reference to enjoyments. The bathing is better than at any other place, and
the fish, oysters and crabs are more abundant. There is no lack of timber, the
live oak and other trees being thickly strewn along the coast, and the situation of
the place is very fine. The company at Pascagoula is a pleasant combination,
in about equal numbers, of the citizens of Mobile and New Orleans.
8.-AVOYELLES, LA.
The product of this parish the present year will be 1,500 hhds. sugar, from a
cultivation of 2,000 acres cane. A writer from this section remarks: "As for
commercial advantages, no portion of our great republic is superior to Avoyelles.
During a greater portion of the )-ear no planter is compelled to haul his crop more
than ten miles. Running through the whole length of its north portion is Red
river, through the central part is Bayou des Glaises, navigable for 70 miles by
steam. Bayou Rouge, starting fiom near the centre of' the parish and flowing
southward into the Atchafalaya, aflbrds stoam navigation; while on the south we
are blessed with the same advantage fi'om the Bavou Bcuff, and on the east we
have the Atchafalaya. These stieains not only afiord good navigation, but the
richest bodiesof planting lands. A great portioln of these lands remained as their
Creator had left thin.m, till ten ye: rs L t.. TIhe cane is as fine as anythin~g in the