488 LOUISIANA. 



Peaches are not generally good; apples, pears, apricots, are but 

 indifferent. There are no cherries, currants, raspberries, or dam- 

 son plums. In fact there is by no means so great a variety in the 

 fruits of this country as in those of the northern states. 



Animals. ...The bear, wolf, and panther, are frequently seen; 

 the latter particularly. The alligator is found in great numbers on 

 the lakes and rivers. Some of them are fifteen feet in length. They 

 are not often dangerous, though individuals have been attacked 

 by them. There is a variety of serpents, some of uncommon 

 size. The rattle-snake is frequently seen. The scorpion, taran- 

 tula, and other venomous reptiles, common to southern climates, 

 are met with here. 



Curiosities... .There are few of those appearances in nature which 

 may be called curiosities. The whole country possessing but little 

 diversity of character, the variety of mountain and vale, being 

 scarcely known, there are no water falls, caverns, or uncommon ob- 

 jects. The great raft over the Chafalaya, is worthy of remark. 

 It is an immense accumulation of logs and pieces of wood brought 

 here by the stream, completely bridging the channel, and at present 

 covered with a layer of soil, on which large trees have sprung up, 

 so that the bayou might be passed without being observed. 



Military force. ...The militia consists of about ten thousand men, 

 divided into twenty-two regiments, commanded by two major-gene- 

 rals and six brigadiers, who are chosen by joint ballot of both houses. 

 This militia is badly disciplined, though composed of materials 

 which might be easily rendered efficient. 



Religion. ...The catholic religion prevails generally, though all 

 others are tolerated. There are yet no regular preachers of any 

 other denomination ; occasionally a methodist or baptist minister has 

 fixed himself for a short period, but none has remained permanently. 

 There is in fact but little encouragement to preachers of the gospel ; 

 the inhabitants are so engrossed with their business and pleasures, 

 that they are but little susceptible of religious habits. 



Literature. ...The sciences are but little cultivated in Louisiana. 

 The wealthy part of the population are yet insensible of the import- 

 ance of learning. In the city of New Orleans there is a college, 

 established by the territorial legislature, on which considerable sums 

 were expended not to much advantage, for it is by no means in a 

 flourishing state. The same law established public schools in each 

 parish, and provided the means of defraying the expense of building 

 houses for the purpose, and of paying tutors ; they have gone into 

 operation only in a few instances. Learning is certainly at a low ebb 

 in Louisiana; and if what is possessed by the adventurers who have 

 settled there should be withdrawn, there would be but little left. 



Manners and customs. ...It has been observed that the differences 

 of character in the people of the various states of the union, are not 

 essentially great. Louisiana forms an exception to this remark ; 

 and this may be attributed to the origin of the colony, and to the na- 

 ture of the colonial government. The population was chiefly French, 

 with a few Spaniards, Germans, and English, intermixed. The go- 

 vernment was more subject to the caprice of individuals, than to any 

 sober and regular system. The people of Louisiana were by no 

 meaps corrupt, although devoted to pleasures, and caring little about 

 liberal attainments ; their men were honest, and their women virtu- 

 ous. Many admirable virtues flourished amongst them, and an 



