tered more speedily and faithfully than in the city of New-Orleans. And yet, we are not a literary people. In the allimportant matter of education, until recently we have been sadly deficient. The free school system which has met with such eminent success in various portions of the Union, has been adopted, and is now in a flourishing condition. But we feel ourselves compelled to say, that we are far from possessing those advantages that are enjoyed elsewhere. Strenuous exertions have been made at various times to arouse public attention to this matter, but we certainly have no grounds for boasting of having accomplished much-while so much remains to be done. It is said by many that the only valuable 'education is that which enables a man to make money -and as literature does not pay, it is an unprofitable waste of time. But we can never believe that Louisiana has discharged her duty until she has exemplified by her conduct her glorious motto, which is so pathet ically emblazoned on her escutcheon-the Pelican offering up her life-blood for the nourishment of her offspring, with the words "I DIE FOR THOSE WHOM I LOVE," until she has established a University for the education of her sons, whose genius, and spirit, and capability to attain to the highest degree of intellectual and moral improvement, present a claim too formidable to be resisted, except by a denial of their just and natural rights. It is not sugar plantations, nor cotton bales, nor porkbarrels which constitute a State, (although these mate rial advantages are certainly not to be despised)—but 66 men, high-minded, accomplished, capable, honorable men—men who know their rights, and knowing, dare maintain them,"-these constitute a State. If she is disposed to suffer martyrdom it can not be in a better cause. While the Northern cities abound in every department of learning and literary enterprise, we have but one solitary Review in the whole South-West. It is fortunate for us that we have at least one channel through which to convey a statistical account of the resources of the country, and we are indebted to no one individual more than to its able Editor, who by his industry and invincible perseverance has made for himself an almost national reputation. We have the Lyceum and the Press, that mighty engine in promoting the cause of science and civilization, but unless there be some national jubilee to be celebrated, or the prospect of some Cuban invasion ahead, there is but little scope for any extended effort in the columns of a daily journal. We have, also, the Oyster-Saloon-the great public school for training the morals of our people; and these not interspersed here and there at respectable distances,-but drawn up in solid phalanxes!—and who that has ever been ensnared within the portals of those luxurious halls, can be sur prised that such an animal as man should be so often tempted to forego the cold intellectual enjoyment of a 'feast of reason' for the more congenial indulgence ' of a flow of soul.' The reader will, then, make every allowance for the defects which may be discovered in the Extracts we have taken from the Journals, the Pulpit, the Bench, and the Bar of New-Orleans. From many of those who are most distinguished in their respective professions, we have made no selections, as it would be in vain to describe by words the vivid glories of the autumnal sky to one who had never witnessed it, and we are not ambitious of being classed in the same category with that learned Theban who immortalized his name by carrying brickbats in his pocket as specimens―to give an idea of the magnificence of the paternal mansion. We must, in conclusion, make some apology to our Creole friends, for not having selected any thing from the French and other modern languages, but really our time has been so limited, that rather than do injustice to them, we have thought it advisable to postpone it for a future occasion. Should this volume be favorably received, we promise to continue the series in High and Low Dutch, and especially in the Arabic and Chinese-be it well understood, however, and specially provided, that in the mean time we make proficiency enough to be able to appreciate the beauties of those tongues, and deem them worthy to be recorded in the NEW-ORLEANS BOOK. We trust that we have, at least, succeeded in removing the prejudice which our enemies have enter tained against us, and that we have most effectually refuted the charge which has been made to the grievous wounding of our honor and our sectional pride, to wit: That we are the veritable "outside barbarians," and that the Crescent city,' despite her golden horns. (cornu-copia!) is nothing more or less than a kind of half-way house between civilization and California. anoiseslong ovitoogeor imt ni |