[3] Tradition saith, that some British vessels of war pursuing some American vessels up the river, on arriving at this place gave up the pursuit as useless, and _turned_ back to the Balize.
Another tradition saith that John Bull chasing some American ships up the river, thought, in his wisdom, when he arrived at this bend, that this was but another of the numerous outlets of the hydra-headed Mississippi, and supposing the Yankee ships were taking advantage of it to escape to the sea--he _turned_ about and followed his way back; again, determined, as school boys say, to "head them!"
Bachelor's comforts--A valuable valet--Disembarked at the Levée--A fair Castilian--Canaille--The Crescent city-- Reminiscence of school days--French cabarets--Cathedral-- Exchange--Cornhill--A chain of light--A fracas--Gens d'Armes --An affair of honour--Arrive at our hotel.
How delightfully comfortable one feels, and how luxuriantly disposed to quiet,--after having been tossed, and bruised, and tumbled about, _sans ceremonie_, like a bale of goods, or a printer's devil, for many long weary days and nights upon the slumberless sea--to be once more cosily established in a smiling, elegant little parlour, carpeted, curtained, and furnished with every tasteful convenience 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,)--diffusing an agreeable temperature throughout the room, and adding, by contrast with the dark gloomy streets, seen indistinctly through the moist glass, to the enjoyment of my comforts. I am now seated by my writing-desk at a table, drawn at an agreeable distance from the fire-place--and fully convinced that a man never feels so comfortably, as when ensconced in a snug parlour on a rainy day.
A statue of dazzling ebony, by name Antoine, to which the slightest look or word will give instant animation, stands in the centre of the room, contrasting beautifully in colour with the buff 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, by the kind attention of my obliging hostess, Madame H----. He serves me in a thousand capacities, as post-boy, cicerone, &c. and is on the whole, an extremely useful and efficient attaché.