LOUISIANA CREOLES. This appella tion belongs exclusively to persons of French i and Spanish descent born in Louisiana: not withstanding the prevalent error to the contrary according it to Louisiana-born children of any European blood. Though often misrepresented, the creoles of Louisiana, as a matter of fact, are intelligent, brave and generous, and are, by no means, inferior in the matter of educa tion; they are also in the enjoyment of the highest social privileges. The women of true creole lineage are world-famed for grace and beauty. The creoles have furnished Louisiana some of its ablest governors, its most distin guished military men, its eminent writers, its leading professional men, financiers and mer chants. In 1904 they held a number of the most exalted offices in the State, and were likewise fully represented in all branches of high and meritorious effort. Very many of the creoles now in Louisiana are descended from high and noble families in France and Spain, and they treasure the lofty traditions of their ancestry. The expression *creole negro* is of ten used, and its employment has perhaps con tributed to the false impression which some entertained that the Louisiana creole, truly such, must be, or is, of negro blood. The term un der immediate consideration simply means that the negro to whom it is applied, or his progeni tors, has been reared under a creole master. So far as the true creole familiesgre con cerned, they have been jealous of tlitir Cau casian lineage and careful to maintain the purity of their blood. The word *creole* is often used to designate the origin of certain products of the field and farm, such as creole chickens, eggs, butter, etc. The meaning of this is that the products thus named are strictly from creole portions of the State of Louisiana. A certain debased idiom of the French em ployed among neeroes, and, to some extent, among creole children and lower whites, is popularly called ((creole.* It has figured in
literature in the shape of short stories, proverbs, etc. The better element of creole adults speak and write the French language in its purity. The majority likewise have a correct and fluent use of the English language. An effective an swer to the aspersions, by some sought to be cast upon the character of the olden creoles, is the following citation from the Chevalier Guy Soniat du Fossat, a distinguished officer of the French army who was in New Orleans in 1751. In his 'Synopsis of the History of Loui siana, etc.,) he gives the following: are defined to be the children of Europeans born in the colony.' They, in gen eral, measure about 5 feet 6 inches in height; they are all well shaped, and of agreeable figure; they are lively, alert and agile, and, notwithstanding the great heat of this climate, are laborious. They are born with ambition, and an honest self-esteem. They are endowed with a natural disposition for all sciences, arts, and exercises that amuse society. They excel in•dancing, fencing, hunting and in horseman ship. Nature has favored them with a pene trating and active mind, and they are capable of being easily instructed. The lack of teachers renders their education somewhat incomplete, and it must be said, in all justice, that among the many qualities which they possess are polite ness, bravery' and benevolence. They are good fathers, good friends and good kinsmen.
*The women, besides having the qualities above enumerated, are agreeable in figure and seldom deformed. They make good mothers, and are devoted to their husbands and their children, and in their marital relations seldom are they unfaithfuL I must also add that the stranger arriving in this wild and savage coun try will be surprised to see in. this capital, as exists in all countries of Europe, brilliant as semblies where politeness, amiability and gayety reign supreme.*