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by white gentlemen, but neither white ladies, nor black men ever attend them: the reason for this is obvious, and need not be commented upon. I heard that the balls themselves were delightful, the young Quadroons generally doing the honours of their entertainments with great propriety and grace. It is well known that marriage between a white man and the descendant of a negro, in however remote a degree, is not legal in the Slave States: ingenious methods have been found of evading this law; but as a successful employment of such devices, not only subjects the individual so acting to great contempt, but also deprives him of his rights as a citizen, they are very seldom resorted to. Before a marriage can be legally solemnized between a white and a coloured person, the former is required to make oath that he has coloured or negro blood in his veins. The difficulty to a white man taking this oath, lies not only in its absolute falsehood, but in the melancholy fact, that by acknowledging the existence of such a stain in his escutcheon, he voluntarily shuts himself out of the pale of communion with his countrymen for ever. Great, however, as is the natural repugnance to this step, it was once taken, and that not very long ago, by a young American, who was resident in New Orleans. A rich merchant and sugar planter, of, I believe, Jewish extraction, had an only child, a daughter, and moreover a

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MARRIAGE WITH THE COLOURED RACE.

Quadroon of great beauty and accomplishmentsto use the most received term, The young lady was the acknowledged heiress of her father's vast wealth, but he refused to bestow either his fortune or his pretty Quadroon on any but a white man, and that in lawful marriage. In spite of the mighty bribe held out, there was found but one man who was daring enough to demand the hand of the lady in marriage, and to be willing to take the oath which was necessary to make that marriage valid in law. With a view, in some sort, to satisfy his scruples of conscience, the suitor of the maiden, previous to his appearing before the authorities, pricked the finger of his fair fiancée, and inserted some of the blood which trickled from the wound into a gash which he had previously made in his own hand. After performing this delicate operation, he fearlessly, and with an open front, took a solemn oath, that within his own veins, negro blood was flowing, and was then allowed to claim his bride. But after such an avowal, America was no longer a country for him, so he lost no time in carrying off his rich and lovely bride to far-off (and, in this case, more liberal) Europe, for there wealth always obtains consideration, and shades of colour are not too closely investigated.

I, in common with other Europeans, who are not accustomed to consider nicely the different

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degrees of coloured descent, was often surprised at the infallible accuracy with which the Americans detect the negro origin of these unhappy people. I believe it is chiefly in the nails, and in the skin of the upper part of the forehead, that the signs exist, for bright brown hair, a fair complexion, and thin and delicate lips, count for nothing with them as proofs of white descent.

There is a sad story current in New Orleans, of three young quadroon girls, the daughters of a merchant here. This man (who was rich in this world's goods) had followed the almost universal custom, and sent his children to Paris for education; there they grew in beauty and grace, were instructed in all imaginable accomplishments, and were bred up in delicacy and refinement; added to all which advantages, they had mixed with good society, and had enjoyed the amusements suitable to their age and condition. Their father, after their education was completed, sent for them home, with the intention of having their freedom properly secured to them according to law. The execution of this righteous resolve, he, however, postponed from day to day, fancying, no doubt, as we are all so apt to do, that he had plenty of time before him, and that his daughters would be freed women long before the accident of his death would otherwise leave them both bondslaves and fatherless. Alas! the improvident man calculated too largely, not only

on the strength of his constitution, but on the amount of his wealth, for he died suddenly, and, what was still more deplorable in its consequences to his unfortunate family, he died insolvent. As a necessary consequence of his dying a bankrupt, his property (including in its catalogue his hapless daughters) was seized upon by his creditors, in order to defray as far as possible their claims upon his estate. Then it was that those poor young girls-beautiful, delicate, and talented, as I have described them, were exposed in the slave auction at New Orleans, for public sale? I repeat stories as I have heard them, and by no means vouch for their truth; but as I have frequently heard the above anecdote told without its truth being ever called in question, I think it fair to conclude that it is as true a story as it is a melancholy one.

The system of visiting which is pursued here is very foreign in its character, evening calls being made both by gentlemen and ladies, with only the necessary precaution of first sending in their cards. We have a good many pleasant acquaintances, several of whom are kind enough to visit us in this manner; but amongst the agreeable friends who have come to New Orleans for the winter, Henry Clay stands foremost in his claims to our admiration and regard. As he is a 'public character,' I think I am justified in departing from the rule I have laid down, of not mentioning the names of

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individuals, even when writing to you. But Henry Clay is too eminent as a statesman, and withal too remarkable a man in his private character, both for his high talents and his distinguished philanthropy, to be passed over in silence. There is about him

a remarkable air of dignity and high breeding; his countenance is full of benevolence and intellect, and his conversational powers are of the highest order. It is for the sake of his health that Mr. Clay is spending the winter here, for to the regret of every one who knows him, and of most of those who do not, the constitution of this distinguished man has given symptoms of breaking. however, no one can see a symptom, either in his conversation or in his spirits, which in society are always good; and indeed Mr. Clay often indulges in a vein of humour (the nonsense of clever men') which is, in my opinion, one of the most pleasant treats we ever enjoy.

Of this,

The churches at New Orleans are both very numerous and remarkably well filled. There is a Presbyterian church, which is attended principally by the Scotch merchants and their families, and several Episcopalian places of worship. At one of the latter we, with great difficulty, obtained sittings, for, from the extreme popularity of the preacher, his church is filled to overflowing. Dr. H—, who officiates, is a man distinguished all over America for his abilities, which may truly be called