Norman's New Orleans and Environs: Containing a Brief Historical Sketch of the Territory and State of Louisiana and the City of New Orleans, from the Earliest Period to the Present TimeNorman, Benjamin Moore
History
Norman's New Orleans and Environs: Containing a Brief Historical Sketch of the Territory and State of Louisiana and the City of New Orleans, from the Earliest Period to the Present Time
Norman, Benjamin Moore
New Orleans (La.) -- Guidebooks
Of these there are two. The larger ranges between Robertson and
Claiborne, and extends from St. Louis to Canal streets, occupying four
full squares. The square on St. Louis street is principally
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 surpassed. 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!_"
Illustrative 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
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account