This more social system at New Orleans, I am inclined to attribute essentially to the French--or Creole--habits with which society is leavened, and into which, it appears to me, the Americans naturally and fortunately drop.

On the other hand, the rivalry which too often taints a money-making community has found its way here.
If A.gives a party which costs 200l., B.will try and get up one at 300l., and so on.

This false pride--foolish enough anywhere--is more striking in New Orleans, from the fact that the houses are not calculated for such displays, and when they are attempted, it involves unfurnishing bed-rooms and upsetting the whole establishment.

I should add they are comparatively rare, perhaps as rare as those parties which are sometimes given in London at the expense of six weeks' fasting, in order that the donor's name and the swells who attended the festive scene may go forth to the world in the fashionable column of the _Morning Post_.

Whenever they do occur, they are invariably attended with some such observations as the following:-- "What did Mrs.B.'s party cost last night ?" "Not less than 300l." "Well, I'm sure they have not the means to afford such extravagant expense; and I suppose the bed-rooms upstairs were all cleared out ?" "Oh, yes! three of them." "Well I know that house, and, fix it how you will, if they cleared out three bed-rooms, I'm sure they must have slept on the sofas or the tables.