The South-West

le-The Crescent city-Reminiscence of school days-French cabarets-Cathedral-Exchange-C

ence that a comfort loving, home-made bachelor could covet. In such a pleasant sitting-room am I now most enviably domesticated, and every thing around me contributes to the happiness of my situation. A cheerful coal-fire burns in the grate-(for the day is cloudy, misty, drizzly, foggy, and chilly, which is the best definition I can give you, as yet, of a wet December's day in New-Orleans,)

uff paper-hangings and crimson curtains. He is a slave-about seventeen years of age, and a bright, intelligent, active boy, nevertheless-placed at my disposal as valet while I remain here,

under along mountain ravines. On a firm, smooth, gravelled walk elevated about four feet, by a gradual ascent from the street-one side open to the river, and the other lined with the "Pride of China," or India tree, we pursued our way to Chartres-street, the "Broadway" of New-Orleans. The moon shone with uncommon brilliancy, and thousands, even in this lower faubourg, were abroad, enjoying the beauty and richness o

hree duenna-like old ladies, remarkable for their "embonpoint" dimensions, preceded a bevy of fair girls, without that most hideous of all excresce

on burned like a star, waved the folds of a snow-white veil in the gentle breeze, created by her motion as she glided gracefully along. She was a

to be seen. Every other gentleman we met was enveloped in a cloud, not of baccha

s breast, while the other arm was at liberty to attend to his segar, or engage in any mischief to which its owner might be inclined. This class of men are very numerous here. They are easily distinguished by their shabby appearance, language, and foreign way of wearing their apparel. In groups-promenading, lounging, and sleeping upon the seats along the Levée-we passed several hundred of this canaille of Orleans, befo

cent thoroughfare along the whole extensive river-line. From this high-way streets shoot off at right angles, till they terminate in the swamp somewhat less than a league back from the river. I have termed New-Orleans the crescent city in one of my letters, from its being built around the segment of a circle formed by a graceful curve of the river at this place. Though the water, or shore-line, is very nearly semi-circular, the Levée-street, above mentioned, does no

g us to our sleepy pillows. The front of this extensive square was open to the river, bordered with its dark line of ships; on each side were blocks of rusty looking brick buildings of Spanish and French construction, with projecting balconies, heavy cornices, and lofty jalousies or barricaded windows. The lower stories of these buildings were occupied by retailers of fancy wares, vintners, segar manufacturers, dried fruit sellers, and all the other members of the innumerable occupations, to which the volatile, ever ready Frenchman can always turn himself and a sous into the bargain. As we passed along, these shops were all lighted up, and the

hadows far over the water. The whole front of the large edifice was thrown into deep shade, so that when we app

ness street in the city. As we proceeded, cafés, confectioners, fancy stores, millineries, parfumeurs, &c. &c., were passed in rapid succession; each one of them pr

of glasses and decanters containing "spirits"-not of "the vasty deep" certainly, but of whose potent spells many were apparently trying the power, by frequent libations. This building-of which and its uses more anon-I was informed, was the "French" or "New Exchange." After passing Rue Toulouse, the streets began to assume a new character; the buildings were loftier and more modern-the signs over the doors bore English names, and the char

blocked up the "trottoir." "Sir," said one of the party-a handsome, resolute-looking young man-in a calm deliberate voice, which was heard above every other, and listened to as well-"Sir, you have grossly insulted me, and I shall expect from you, immediately-before we separate-an acknowledgment, adequate to the injury." "Monsieur," replied a young Frenchman whom he had addressed, in French, "Monsieur, I never did insult you-a gentleman never insults! you have misunderstood me, and refuse to listen to a candid explanation." "The explanation you have given sir," reiterated the first speaker, "is not sufficient-it is a subterfuge;" here many voices mingled in loud confusion, and a renewed and more violent altercation ensued w

in the papers of the day-yet the following allusion to the event of last evening may not be

e discharge of a pistol, and another slightly injured by a dirk. An "affaire d'honneur" originated from this, and the parti