190 Miscellanies. 
They are no longer strolling vagrants; but have, in the lapse of time, 
become in all respects, like the other French settlers found in Lou- 
isiana. They appear equally polite, hospitable and intelligent. They 
also possess all the industry and enjoy all the ordinary comforts of 
settled life, that belong to the French inhabitants generally. 
The only striking difference between them, is seen in their com- 
plexion and in the color of their hair, which is much darker in the 
“Gypsies,” than in the French population. Their hair is also coarser 
and straighter, than that of the French. 
Their intellectual vigor, appears to be as great, as that of any 
people. A young man of this colony, received a collegiate educa- 
tion at Georgetown, D. C., and is residing in New Orleans; and 
there are probably few men to be found in the United States of his 
age, whose knowledge, and learning are more profound and varied 
than his. He is also a good and ready writer. The most of the 
foregoing facts were derived from an eminent and learned lawyer of 
Mobile, who speaks the French language fluently, and has travelled 
among, and conversed familiarly with these “Gypsies.” 
15. Bituminous Coal.—This state, is very rich in bituminous 
coal, of a most excellent quality. It is in every respect, equal, 
if not superior to the best English coal. Iam using some of it in 
my little laboratory. It is very heavy, and burns with a good flame 
and gives out much heat. It also yields the carburetted hydrogen 
gas, in immense quantity. ‘The vein, or formation of this coal, is 
very extensive. It is first seen in the bed of the Black Warrior Riy- 
er, near Tuscaloosa, and next appears on the surface of the ground, 
to the north east, and east of that town, and pursues that course till 
it crosses the Alabama and Coossa Rivers at their falls, or just above 
them. It passes on probably, for some distance into Georgia, and 
not improbably in its south western or west direction into Mississippi. 
Its principal width is found in Shelby and Bibd Counties, where 
it is forty miles wide; it occupies the whole ground just under the 
surface, and is covered by superficial patches of hard or soft slate 
stone, or shale, other minerals being rarely found near it. Black- 
smiths in its neighborhood, dig it up, and work it in their furnaces. 
It is also used in an iron foundery in Shelby County. 
The land is smartly broken. The growth consist principally of 
chesnut, oak and pine, and being more or less poor, it has never, 
