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16
NEW ORLEANS ILLUSTRATED.
although several beautiful localities have been set apart from time to time as “ Public Squares for the pleasure of the people, and to beautify the city,” with the exception of fencing in, and the planting of a few trees, the majority of these places present very scanty improvements, no attempts whatever in the beautifying line, and are standing reproaches to *• .all whom it may concern.” Yet, as Nature has done so much that man has neglected to do, and as most of the Public Squares have beautiful surroundings, and many of them an interesting history, an inspection of them will web repay the visitor.
JACKSON SQUARE.
This beautiful pleasure ground which is bounded by Chartres, Decatur or Old Levee, St. Anne and St. Peter streets, is the oldest Public. Square in NewOrleans, and is interesting, as well on a< count of its appearance as for its historical surroundings. This square was formerly called the PLACE D’ARMS, but being selected as the site of the statue of General Jackson, the old veteran’s name was bestowed on it, while its former cognomen was transferred to another of our ancient parks.
The splendid rows of the Pontalba buildings, with their imposing fronts and broad verandas, overlook the, square from the North and South, the Cathedral and Court Houses 011 the West, while the mighty Father of NY.iters may be seen on the East. A massive paling of iron set in granite encloses this peculiar square, which is European in design, aud almost purely tropical in productions.
A bronze equestrian statue of General Jackson, the most conspicuous object in the square, stands in the centre, on ground slightly elevated, based on an enormous block of granite, and protected by a tasteful iron railing. The statue represents the stern old hero in the full dress uniform of his day, lifting his military hat in salute, his ponderous sword hanging from his belt and his left hand grasping the reins of his war steed. The horse is represented in the act of rearing, and stands balanced on his hind legs. It is a faithful and spirited copy from life, and relieds the highest credit on the artist who designed it, and the workers who carried out his intentions.
Diverging from the statue in all directions, are beautifully graded walks, bordered with the choicest flowers of the South, luxuriant vines and evergreens, which at all seasons of the year present a pleasing picture to the eye. Magnificent orange trees with their golden wealth of fruit in aut umn, stately magnolias, clustering bananas under their shade of gigantic leaves, birds of rare plumage, the notes of the mocking bird mingling with the merry voices of happy children, the tread of pedestrians, the rattle of cars aud carriages, the sonorous breathing of steamers and locomotives, and the warning echoes of the old cathedral clock, whose strokes have sounded in the ears of generations forever passed away, render this one of the most interesting places in the “ land of sun and flowers.”
The historical reminiscences of the u old square,” would of themselves make a large volume, while the tender romances, begun, matured or consummated under the favoring shade of its trees, would form more thrilling tales than were ever conceived in the brain of the most vivid writer of fiction. Languishing Spanish beauties, piquant French belles, sweet faced daughters lrom classic Italy or storied Gieece, the women of every clime have in this spot listened to the witching tale they love to hear. Soldiers have been drilled, arm.', stacked or distributed to the defenders of their a aiu ” firesides, in fact all the phases of human joy or woe, honor or disgrace, hope or fear, have been enacted and experienced in the historic Jackson Square.
PLACE D’ARMS.
The place which now bears this name, but better known as “ Congo Square,” is a large and pleasantly situated promenade ground, between Rampart, St. Claude, St. Peter and St. Anne streets, it was in “ old times ” called the *• Circus Public Square.”