398

LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI.

And by-and-bye we reached the "West End, a collection of hotels
of the usual light summer-resort pattern, with broad verandas all
around, and the waves of the wide and blue Lake Pontchartrain
lapping the thresholds. We had dinner on a ground-veranda over
the water—the chief dish the renowned fish called the pompano,
delicious as the less criminal forms of sin.

Thousands of people come by rail and carriage to West End and
to Spanish Fort every evening, and dine, listen to the bands, take
strolls in the open air under the electric lights, go sailing on the lake,
and entertain themselves in various and sundry other ways.

THE SHELL BOAD.
We had opportunities on other days and in other places to test
pompano. Notably, at an editorial dinner at one of the clubs in
the city, He was in his last possible perfection there, and justified
Ms fame. In his suite was a tall pyramid of scarlet cray-fish—large
ones; as large as one's thumb—delicate, palatable, appetising. Also
devilled whitebait; also shrimps of choice quality; and a platter of
small soft-shell crabs of a most superior breed. The other dishes were
-what one might get at Delmonieo's, or Buckingham 3?alace; those I