TRAVELS IM 
426 
ties, bear die ftamp of fuperiority and excellence % 
all unite or combine in exhibiting a profpefl 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 furface of the water (by which the channel at 
thofe times mud be about two hundred and ninety 
feet deep); and thefe precipices being an accumu- 
lation of the febirnent of muddy waters, annually 
brought down with the floods, of a light loamy confif- 
tence, continually cracking and parting, prefent to 
view deep yawning chafms, in time fplit off, as the 
active perpetual currentundermines; and the mighty 
makes of earth tumble headlong into the river, 
whofe impetuous current fweeps away and lodges 
them elfe where. There are yet vifible fome remains 
of a high artificial bank, in front of the buildings of 
the town, formerly call up by the French, to refill 
the inundations, but found to be ineffedlual, and 
now in part tumbled down the precipice : as the 
river daily encroaches on the bluff, fome of the ha- 
bitations are in danger, and muff be very foon re- 
moved or fwai lowed up in the deep gulph of waters. 
A few of the buildings that have been eftablifhed 
by the Englilh, fince taking poffeffion of the colo- 
ny, are large and commodious, particularly the 
warehoufes of Meffrs. Swanfon & Co. Indian tra- 
ders and merchants. 
The. Spaniards have a fmall fortrefs and garrifon 
on the point of land below the Iberville, dole by 
the banks of the river, which has a communica- 
tion with Manchac, by a (lender narrow wooden 
bridge acrofs the channel of Iberville, fupported on 
wooden pillars, and not a bow fhot from the • habi- 
tations of Manchac. The Iberville in the fummer 
feafon 
