the deceased hero. The spot where his remains now rest is yet unmarked by a stone. We are enabled to present the reader with a price current published during this year. No document could be offered which would give a more definite idea of the state of commerce at this period. It is as follows: Light Freight, 6c lb. Heavy Freight, 4cb. By the assessment of this year the value of lots in the town is computed at $3,131,463. About the 24th of November, Louisville boasted another Bank. This was the Commercial Bank of Louisville. Its officers were: Levi Tyler, President; Abijah Bayless, Cashier; J. C. Blair, Clerk. Its paper is said by Dr. McMurtrie, to have been in as good credit as that of the United States Bank. Its capital is computed by him at $1,000,000. More recent accounts however, do not speak so favorably of its affairs. On the 1st of July, still of this year, Mr. S. Penn commenced the publication of the Public Advertiser here; a paper which for editorial talent and skill, as well as for political influence, has been equalled by few and exceeded by none in the United States. In 1819, Dr. McMurtrie, of whom mention has been so often made in these pages, published his Sketches of Louisville. That part of his book which refers directly to the city is comprised in about one hundred pages. The whole book however contains about two hundred and fifty pages, 16mo; it was published by Mr. S. Penn, and is a very creditable specimen of the art of bookmaking. The greater part of the volume is filled with scientific researches, and in an appendix there is placed an account of the earthquakes by Jared Brooks, Esq. There is also a scientific catalogue of the plants found in the vicinity of the city, and a history of the geological and antiquarian remains of this part of the country. Of the value of this information in a scientific point of view, we are not prepared to speak; the "Sketches" present, doubtless a very correct view of Louisville, as it was in 1819. Notwithstanding this book has been so often drawn upon for isolated facts in the course of this history, it will not be considered unfair to offer the reader still another extract, showing a sort of daguerreotype view of the city as it then was; and this will be the more pardonable as the book itself is no longer "in print.” Dr. McMurtrie says: "There are at this time in Louisville six hundred and seventy dwelling houses, principally brick ones, some of which would suffer little by being compared with any of the most elegant private edifices of Philadelphia or New York. It was calculated pretty generally that from two hundred and fifty to three hundred brick buildings would have been erected during the last summer, but such was the scarcity of money, that not more than twelve to fourteen were completed; preparations, however, are making to proceed rapidly in the business in the ensuing season, the influx of strangers being so great, that many of them can scarcely find shelter. The population now amounts to 4500 souls; so rapid is the increase of this number that in all probability, it will be trebled in less than ten years. "Commercial cities of all newly settled countries, whose inhabitants are gathered from every corner of the earth, who have immigrated thither with but one single object in view, that of acquiring money, are stamped with no general character, except that of frugality, attention to business, and an inordinate attachment to money. Absorbed in this great interest of adding dollar upon dollar, no time is devoted to literature or the acquirement of those graceful nothings which, of no value in themselves, still constitute one great charm of polished society. Such is the character of the inhabitants of this place in general, ma ogni medaglio ha il suo reverso.' There is a circle, small 'tis true, but within whose magic round abounds every pleasure that wealth, regulated by taste, or urbanity can bestow. There the 'red heel' of Versailles may imagine himself in the emporium of fashion, and whilst leading beauty through the mazes of the dance, forget that he is in the wilds of America. The theater, public and private balls, a sober game of whist, or the more scientific one of billiards, with an occasional re-union of friends around the festive board, constitute the principal amusements; and it is with pleasure I am able to assert, without fear of contradiction, that gaming forms no part of them. Whatever may have been the case formerly, there is hardly at the present day, a vestige to be seen of this ridiculous. and disgraceful practice; and if it exists at all, it is only to be found in the secret dens of midnight swindlers, within whose walls once to enter is dishonor, infamy, and ruin." The prices of lots at this time were about $300 per foot for those occupying the best situations. The following list if compared with the similar one for 1815, published a few pages earlier, will give the reader a very correct idea of the ratio of progress here for four years. There were at this time in Louisville: 3 Banks, 3 Bookstores, 36 Wholesale & Retail Stores, 14 Wholesale & Com'n Stores, 3 Printing Offices, 1 Nail Factory, 28 Groceries, 3 Drugstores, 2 Confectioner's Shops, 6 Bakehouses. 2 Carriagemakers, 1 Gunsmith. 3 Chair Factories, 1 Potter, 150 Bricklayers, 1 Brass Foundry, 1 Steam Engine Factory, 2 Distilleries, 1 Sugar Refinery. We find by an advertisement in the Courier of February 12th, in this year, that J. J. Audubon, the worldrenowned ornithologist, was at that time endeavoring to procure a class in drawing, and was offering to paint portraits here, which his advertisement promises shall be "strong likenesses." This gentleman was for some time a resident of this city. His son was for many years employed as a clerk in the store of Mr. N. Berthoud at Shippingport. On the 23d of June, 1819, the President of the Uni-. ted States and suite, accompanied by Gen. Jackson and suite, arrived in Louisville, where they remained until the following Saturday. A public dinner and a ball was given to these distinguished persons, and general hilarity and good feeling distinguished the occasion. This chapter, as well as the history of this year will be concluded with a string of rhymes which, though not highly meritorious in themselves, still serve to show the feelings of the people in regard to the much-talked-of apathy of their rulers, and let us into the history of the times as fully as would the graver chroniclers. These versicles are said to be extracts from a letter. "You know I informed you when I landed here, This town was not handsome, and living darned dear, 'Tis whispered about, how true I shan't say, I'd say you were right--with hearts hard as a stone; When applied to for alms or asked for a loan. |