Romance of the History of Louisiana: A Series of Lectures

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D. Appleton, 1848 - Louisiana - 265 pages

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Page 122 - twas a pleasing fear; For I was as it were a child of thee, And trusted to thy billows far and near, And laid my hand upon thy mane, — as I do here.
Page 63 - As far as the eye could reach, nothing was to be seen but reeds which rose five or six feet above the waters in which they bathed their roots.
Page 265 - My task is done, my song hath ceased, my theme Has died into an echo; it is fit The spell should break of this protracted dream. The torch shall be extinguish'd which hath lit My midnight lamp— and what is writ, is writ; Would it were worthier; but I am not now That which I have been — and my visions flit Less palpably before me — and the glow Which in my spirit dwelt is fluttering, faint, and low.
Page 136 - All was so still, so soft in earth and air, You scarce would start to meet a spirit there ; Secure that nought of evil could delight To walk in such a scene, on such a night...
Page 239 - Mexican provinces, where it was hoped that Crozat would find a large outlet for his goods. When St. Denis arrived at the village of the Natchitoches, hearing no tidings of the supposed expedition of the Spaniards, he left there a few Canadians, whom he ordered to form a settlement ; and, accompanied by twelve others, who were picked men, and by a few Indians, he undertook to accomplish the more difficult part of his mission. I would recommend this expedition of St. Denis, and his adventures, to any...
Page 114 - I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear : But now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
Page 189 - Is it expected that, for any commercial or profitable purposes, boats will ever be able to run up the Mississippi, into the Wabash, the Missouri, or the Red River? One might as well try to bite a slice off the moon ! Not only are these rivers as rapid as the Rhone, but in their crooked course, they imitate to perfection a snake's undulations. Hence, for instance, on every turn of the Mississippi, it would be necessary to wait for a change of wind, if wind could be had, because this river is so lined...
Page 30 - May, 1539, the bay of Santo Spiritu, in Florida, presented a curious spectacle. Eleven vessels of quaint shape, bearing the broad banner of Spain, were moored close to the shore ; one thousand men of infantry, and three hundred and fifty men of cavalry, fully equipped, were landing in proud array under the command of Hernando De Soto, one of the most illustrious companions of Pizarro in the conquest of Peru, and reputed one of the best knees of Spain ! " When he led in the van of battle, so powerful...
Page 104 - Biloxi, with the grade of Major. Iberville, having been informed by Bienville of the attempt of the English to make a settlement on the banks of the Mississippi, and of the manner in which it had been foiled, resolved to take precautionary measures against the repetition of any similar attempt. Without loss of time...
Page 61 - ... the same cause. Out of the six that" remained, five were to consecrate- themselves to the establishment of a colony in Louisiana, Before visiting the Mississippi, Iberville. had left his fleet anchored at the Chandeleur Islands. This name proceeds from the circumstance of their having been discovered on the day when the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of the presentation of Christ in the temple, and of the purification of the Virgin. They are flat, sandy islands, which look as if they wish...

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