New Orleans

New Orleans, one of the largest cities in the United States, in the state of Louisiana (q.v.), on the left bank of the Mississippi, 105 miles from its mouths, situated on ground several feet below the highest level of the river. A basin and canal connect the city with the bay of St. John, Lake Pontchartrain, etc., so that there are two channels between the port and the Gulf of Mexico. The port carries on a large export trade for the vast extent of country drained by the Mississippi and its affluents; but, as much produce is brought down in flat-bottomed vessels which do not return, the imports are not nearly so large as the exports, which comprise cotton, corn and flour, tobacco, pork and lard, fruit and timber. The old city, built to a great extent of brick faced with stucco in the French and Spanish style, is an oblong, extending about 1,300 yards along the "levee," or dyke, which keeps out the flood-water of the river, with a width of about 700 yards. The "faubourgs," or suburbs, above and below the old city, are more American in style. The population contains a considerable coloured element and a large percentage of inhabitants of French and Spanish descent. The Roman Catholic cathedral is a large and striking edifice. The city was formerly very unhealthy owing to the low and marshy nature of the surrounding country, but drainage has effected great improvements in the sanitary condition. There are a flourishing university and many magnificent public buildings.