TRAVELS IN 
ties, bear the ftamp of fuperiority and excellence ; 
all unite or combine in exhibiting a profpect of the 
grand fublime. The banks of the river at Manchac, 
though frequently overflowed by the vernal inunda- 
tions, are about fifty feet perpendicular height above 
.the furfa.ce of the water (by which the channel at 
thofe times muft be about two hundred and ninety 
feet deep) ; and thefe precipices being an accumu- 
lation of the fediment of muddy waters, annually 
brought down with the floods, of a light loamy con- 
fidence, continually cracking and parting, prefent 
to view deep yawning chafms, in time fplit off, as 
the active perpetual current undermines ; and the 
mighty marTes of earth tumble headlong into the 
river, whofe impetuous current fweeps away and 
lodges them, elfewhere. There are yet vifible fome 
remains of a high artificial bank, in front of the 
buildings of the town, formerly caff up by the 
French, to refill the inundations, but found to be 
ineffectual, and now in part tumbled down the pre- 
cipice : as the river daily encroaches on the bluff, 
fome of the habitations are in danger, and muft be 
very foon removed or fwallowed up in the deep gulph 
of waters. A few of the buildings that have been 
eftabiiflied by the Englifh fmce taking poffeffion of 
the colony, are large and commodious, particularly 
tjie warehoufes of Meflrs. Swanfon & Co. Indian 
traders and merchants. 
The Spaniards have a fmall fortrefs and garrifon 
on the point of land below the Iberville, clofe by 
the banks of the river, which has a communica- 
tion with Manchac, by a Hender narrow wooden 
bridge acrofs the channel of Iberville, fupported on 
wooden pillars, and not a bow mot from the habi- 
tations of Manchac. The Iberville in the fummer 
feafoii 
