TRAVELS IN 
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ties,, bear the {lamp of fuperiority and excellence ; 
all unite or combine in exhibiting a profpebl of the 
grand fublime. The banks of the river at Manchac, 
though frequently overflowed by the vernal inunda- 
tions, are about fifty feet perpendiculai height above 
the furface 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 confif- 
tence, continually cracking and parting, prelent to 
view deep yawning chafms, in time fplit off, as the 
active perpetual current undermines, and the mighty 
mafies of earth tumble headlong into the river, 
whole 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 call up by the French, to refill 
the inundations, but found to be ineffectual, and 
row 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 fwallowed up in the deep gulph of waters* 
A few of the buildings that have been eflablifhed 
by the Englifh, fince taking poffeffion of the colo- 
ny, are large and commodious, particularly the 
warehoufes of Meffrs. Sw anfon & Co. Indian tra- 
ders 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 flender narrow wooden 
bridge acrofs the channel of Iberville, fupported on 
wooden pillars, and not a bow fiiot from the habi- 
tations of Manchac. The Iberville in the fummer 
feafon 
