120 
VIEWS OF LOUISIANA. 
of a new mode of building by the Americans of frame, stone*' 
or brick, and in the use of what was before unknown, signs and 
boards, to indicate the residence of persons following different 
trades or occupations: although a trifling circumstance, it is a 
characteristic. 
In none of the villages or towns is there a market house; 
the reason I have already mentioned, the inhabitants raised their 
own provisions, and were all cultivators oi the soil. 
ST. LOUIS 
Is the seat of government of the territory, and has always 
been considered the principal town. It was formerly called Pairi 
Court, from the privations of the first settlers.* It is situated in 
latitude 38° 23' N. long. 89° 36' W. 
This place occupies one of the best situations on the Missis¬ 
sippi, both as to site and geographical position. In this Lst res¬ 
pect, the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi, has certainly 
much greater natural advantages, but the ground is subject to 
inundation, and St. Louis has taken a start, which it will most 
probably retain. It is perhaps not saying too much, that it bids 
fair to be second to New Orleans in importance, on this river. 
The ground on which St. Louis stands is not much higher 
than the ordinary banks, but the floods are repelled by a boid 
shore of limestone rocks. The town is built between the river 
and a second bank, three streets running parallel with the riv¬ 
er, and a number of others crossing these at right angles. It is to 
be lamented that no space has been left between the town and the 
river; for the sake of the pleasure of the promenade, as well as for 
business and health, there should have been no encroachment on 
the margin of the noble stream. The principal place of business 
ought to have been on the bank. From the opposite side, no¬ 
thing is visible of the busy bustle of a populous town; it appears 
closed up. The site of St. Louis is not unlike that of Cincinnati. 
How different would have been its appearance, if built in the 
* Judging from many of the names of villages, one might suppose 
that they had not been settled under the most happy auspices; there are 
iMibere, Creve-^aeur, and Vuide poche f 
