Norman's New Orleans and Environs Part 6

Of these there are two. The larger ranges between Robertson and Claiborne, and extends from St. Louis to Ca.n.a.l streets, occupying four full squares. The square on St. Louis street is princ.i.p.ally appropriated to natives of France and their descendants. There is a great deal of refined sentiment and delicate fancy in some of their memorials of the departed. Tombs are often embellished with fresh flowers, that look as if they received daily attentions. This is a custom not peculiar to the French, but seems to be the natural language of that refined affection, which cherishes the memory and the virtues of the dead, among the dearest and most sacred treasures of the heart. The smaller of these grounds lies on Basin and St. Louis streets. It presents, like the other, many tasteful monuments, that show us where repose the honored and the wealthy of the land. These necessarily attract the notice of strangers--but there is one among them less conspicuous than the rest, the eloquence of whose simple and touching memorial has rarely been surpa.s.sed. It is in the side wall, near the northwest corner of the cemetery, surrounded by many more of a similar construction. There is no display--only a simple record, that tells it is occupied by a female fifteen years of age. Beneath this is quite a plain stone, with the inscription "_Ma pauvre fille!_"

What an affecting history in those three brief words! It was undoubtedly placed there by an affectionate mother, deploring the untimely death of a beloved daughter. It contains more pathos, and speaks to the heart with more effect, than volumes of labored eulogy, or frantic grief. The proud mausoleum, and the turgid epitaph, sink into insignificance beside this humble burst of maternal love--"_My poor child!_"

Ill.u.s.trative of the false pride with which the Creole population still, unfortunately, regard the practice of duelling, nearly opposite is the following inscription:--

"_Victime de l'honneur._ Aet. 24."

THE PROTESTANT CEMETERY

This burial place fronts on St. Paul street, and occupies about two city squares. The inscriptions do not date back beyond 1810. It is a spot, however, where the northern and eastern traveller will often recognize familiar names of those who have found graves far from endeared friends and connexions. There is little of the display here that is observed in other grounds. Tombs that, apparently, were commenced with a resolution to show honor to the departed, have been left without a stone to record the name of the neglected tenant.

In one of the side walls, is a tomb stone of plain white marble, with only the words, "MY HUSBAND!" engraven upon it. In this vault were deposited the remains of a distinguished tragedian, who fell a victim to the yellow fever, some years since, in this city. It is a delicate souvenir, that bespeaks the true feeling and affection of a desolate widow. On another is the emphatic inscription, "_Poor Caroline!_"

ST. PATRICK'S CEMETERY

Is situated within sight of the Cypress Grove Cemetery, and having been but recently commenced, has not yet become an object of much attraction.

There is quite a s.p.a.cious Catholic burying ground near Bayou road, more than a mile back of the city, that seems to have been considerably used, but has few monuments of any interest.

Besides these, there is a general burying ground at Lafayette. The Jews have a place of interment, also, in that city.

CHARITABLE INSt.i.tUTIONS

There is probably no city in the United States that has so many benevolent inst.i.tutions as New Orleans, in proportion to its population. Certainly it has not an equal in those voluntary contributions, which are sometimes required to answer the immediate calls of distress. Here are a.s.sembled a mixed mult.i.tude, composed of almost every nation and tongue, from the frozen to the torrid zone, and, whether it be the sympathy of strangers, or the influence of the sunny south, their purses open and their hearts respond, like those of brothers, to the demands of charity. To ill.u.s.trate these a.s.sertions and to carry out the plan of this work, a description of the most prominent of these establishments is annexed.

THE FEMALE ORPHAN ASYLUM

Stands at the intersection of Camp and Phytanee streets, on an angular lot, widening to the rear on Erato street. It has a northerly front on the junction of the two first named streets, and occupies all the grounds that are contained in this irregular s.p.a.ce--the rear, however, being reserved as a site for a church, to be erected at some future period. The land was a liberal donation from Madame Foucher, and her brother, Francis Soulet. Previous to the erection of this building, the establishment was conducted in rented tenements, under the direction of the Sisters of Charity; in whose hands it still continues to present a praiseworthy example of neatness and parental care. It commenced in 1836 with _six_ children; and, in 1839, with great exertions, it accommodated _ninety_.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

The history of this charity seems to trespa.s.s on the region of romance. In its struggle, it received an important impulse from the suggestions of a benevolent lady, Mrs. Pogue. In conversation with a female friend of similar feelings, she remarked, "if a fair could be organized for its benefit, and the opulent induced to patronise it, money might be raised to erect the necessary buildings." That friend told the Bishop; who, taking up the hint, announced it from the pulpit. This led to the call of a meeting--where, instead of a small a.s.semblage, the rooms were crowded with the wealth and beauty of the city. It resulted in the collection of over _sixteen thousand dollars_! Thus, to almost a chance expression from the kind heart of woman, New Orleans is mainly indebted for the prosperity of one of the n.o.blest of her humane inst.i.tutions.

From this moment, the Asylum a.s.sumed a firm standing. A suitable house was at once commenced. The second munic.i.p.ality gave a thousand dollars, and the legislature at different periods, twelve thousand dollars. In 1840 the whole was completed, and the children, to the number of about one hundred, took possession. Since that time they have averaged one hundred and forty-five annually. They receive the rudiments of a good education. At a suitable age they are apprenticed to persons of character and responsibility; and a vigilance is continued, that guaranties to them the kind treatment, which their isolated position seems to demand.

The edifice, built by D. Hayden, cost over forty-two thousand dollars.

Though conducted _with the utmost prudence_, the inst.i.tution is some twenty-five hundred dollars in debt. In a capital like this, where so many of the citizens have princely revenues, and with them a princely liberality, there is little doubt that arrangements will soon be made to relieve it of this embarra.s.sment. It has now about one hundred and sixty children, of whom over thirty are in the nursery.

THE MALE ORPHAN ASYLUM

The Society for the Relief of Dest.i.tute Orphan Boys have their establishment in Lafayette. It went into operation in 1824, and was incorporated the year after. By a calculation of the first sixteen years, it appears that an average of thirty-five have annually partic.i.p.ated in its benefits. Although its t.i.tle would seem to imply, that orphans only are admitted, yet the board are authorized to receive any boy, whose dest.i.tute condition requires their protection.

THE POYDRAS FEMALE ORPHAN ASYLUM

This is one of the oldest establishments of the kind in New Orleans.

It was endowed by Julien Poydras, and possesses an immense revenue from valuable improved real estate. They occupy on Julia, from St.

Charles to Carondelet streets, and extend back about two-thirds of an immense square. It has for several years had an average of one hundred and twenty children. The excellent system and regulations, in regard both to instruction and health, will not be disparaged by comparison with the best inst.i.tutions in the world. Possessing so much property and such beautiful grounds, it is to be regretted that more s.p.a.cious and comfortable buildings are not erected for the accommodation of the inmates.

THE CATHOLIC MALE ORPHAN ASYLUM

This inst.i.tution is supported by an a.s.sociation, and by private donations. The establishment occupies a large building fronting the river, and a few squares above the New Convent. About one hundred and seventy children receive the benefits of this charity.

LES DAMES DE LA PROVIDENCE

This a.s.sociation was formed in 1839. It consists of about one hundred ladies, who each contribute a certain sum monthly as a charitable fund. Its object is to render aid to the sick, the poor and the infirm. The inst.i.tution was put into operation by the benevolent French ladies of New Orleans; and, were its resources equal to the kind feelings of its members, it would be rendered a means of alleviating much distress among the sick and dest.i.tute.

THE SAMARITAN CHARITABLE a.s.sOCIATION

This inst.i.tution was founded during the epidemic of 1837, for the purpose of alleviating the wants of the poor and the sick. They established an office at that period, where some of the members, day and night, were always in readiness to attend the bed-side of disease, and to administer aid to the indigent. The late mayor, and many of the most wealthy citizens are members; and, in time of need, the a.s.sociation is liberally endowed by the spontaneous donations of the generous public.

THE FIREMEN'S CHARITABLE a.s.sOCIATION

Was incorporated in 1835, and managed by a board of directors chosen from each company, subject to certain restrictions. The officers, (a president, vice president, secretary and treasurer,) are elected by the board from members of the a.s.sociation, on the first Monday of January, of each year. The object of this society is the relief of its members, who are incapacitated from attending to business from sickness or misfortunes not arising from improper causes. It makes provision also for the benefit of their families--particularly widows and orphans. This is a very laudable a.s.sociation, and every way deserving of the excellent fire department from which it originated.

YOUNG MEN'S HOWARD a.s.sOCIATION

This benevolent inst.i.tution was established in 1837; and its object is the relief of the indigent and sick. Its resources depend entirely upon public contributions--and appeals for aid have always been responded to with alacrity. During the prevalence of the epidemic of 1841, this society collected and distributed over five thousand dollars among the sufferers on that dreadful occasion. It is a n.o.ble charity that waits not for calls upon its benevolence; but its members seek for worthy objects in the hidden recesses of misery, and soothe and administer to their wants, with a brotherly solicitude that does honor to the name they have a.s.sumed.

THE HEBREW BENEVOLENT SOCIETY

Although but a short time in existence, has accomplished much good; diffusing charity, not in mere accordance with sectional prejudices, but in that catholic spirit of genuine benevolence, which freely dispenses its benefits alike upon Jew and Christian, and recognizes but one brotherhood in the family of man.

THE MILNE ORPHAN ASYLUM

This inst.i.tution was endowed in 1839, by Alexander Milne, a liberal Scotch gentleman, from whom it takes its name. It was established for the education and protection of helpless orphan children of both s.e.xes.

HOSPITALS

No city in the United States is so well provided with establishments of this kind as New Orleans. Here, the only pa.s.sport required for admission to the best attendance, is sickness, or an injury. No cold formalities are thrown in the way of the suffering patient. Indeed, it has become a subject of complaint, that access is so easy, and the position so agreeable, that the improvident and the indolent take undue advantage of its benefits.