MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS. 281 



He describes St. Louis as rather shabby ia its business quarters, 

 although the seat of a very active trade, comprehending the American 

 fur trade of the far western country, and with many neat and plciasant 

 suburban residences. His English ideas of propriety were constantly 

 jostled in mingling with people of all classes, such as were to be met 

 with in the hotels of this bustling young city, and this caused him to 

 remark in strong terms upon the disadvantages of that practical equal- 

 ity which compelled the clean people to herd with the dirty ones. His 

 remarks upon the religious and social conditions of St. Louis give us 

 some insight into the adjustment of the different elements which made 

 up the sum total of life there. Referring to social life, he says : "The 

 young people of the old French families still continue their reunions 

 on a Sunday evening, after the custom of their lively ancestors, and 

 have music and a family dance; but I was informed by some French 

 ladies that they had been cautioned to discontinue them, as this prac- 

 tice gave offense to the Presbyterians, and that it was not unlikely 

 that some mobbing would take place." 



Of religions he says : "The Roman Catholic religion as yet pre- 

 ponderates, but this will not last long, for the Presbyterians are run- 

 ning up their Ebenezers very rapidly." 



As has already been stated, this traveler made St. Louis the start- 

 ing point for a very interesting journey through the southeastern part 

 of the State. He visited Herculaneum, and the mines of Potosi and 

 La Motte, which latter, being an accomplished geologist, he described 

 in an accurate and scientific manner. The record of his travels par- 

 ticularly abounds in observations upon the people and their customs, 

 and their peculiarities lost nothing in his relation. But he was keen 

 and appreciative, though cynical, and those who travel today among 

 the people of our State remote from the centers of population will 

 more readily believe the anecdotes of Featherstonhaugh, than those 

 who have never visited the wilds of some of the lower counties. 



It was a matter of great amazement to this traveler to find settlers 

 occupying the richest bottom-land on the St. Francis river so poorly 

 provided with the things most necessary to healthful living. Having 

 sat down to eat with people at whose table the dish of meat was such 

 an extraordinary affair that the^guest did not venture to partake, and 

 whose only other dish was unpalatable, the hungry and disappointed 

 man says : 



And here it Is to be observed that these people occupied 160 acres of fertile bottom- 

 land, had 100 bushels of Indian corn ready harvested, 200 or 300 bushels of wheat, numerous 

 cows with a boundless range for them on the adjacent hills and bottoms that afforded ex- 

 cellent grass; great numbers of barn-door fowls, wild turkeys In profusion around them. 



