Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1856-10-16
FROM FLORIDA.

.
is now The most southern State in the
Union. The waves Of the Atlantic
sweep its eastern shores, and the Gulf
of. Mexico spreads out itsblue waters
upon the western. A smsH gulf of
the same name lies at the southern
extremity, and Georgia overlooks it
on the North. No country on the
globe possesses for US more natural
charms, nor awakens sh opger feelings
of interest. Gigantic rivers roll their
dark waters Through its forests, and
pearly streams of taper size meander
over its surface. Prairies are to be
seen here and there covered with green
grass waving like an emerald ocean,
and herds of deer and cattle grazing
upon it, inviting the sharp crack of
the sportsman's rifle, the shrill blast of
the hunters horn, and the loud cry
of his eager hounds. In some places,
the face Of the country is level, and
presents barren appearance; but in
others, it is beautifully diversified with
hills and dales. . Its lakes, though
small, are surprisingly beautiful, es-
pecially in the southern portion, where
they are hedged with dense groves of
Oranges. which retain their rich yell
low fruit from one year to another,
and fill the air with the fragrance of
their flowers during the Spring
months. AS you ramble through its
forests in the season Of the Spring,
you would almost imagine yourself
treading upon a green velvet carpet
decked with pearls and strewed with
flowers, so soft is the grass, its lakes
so clear, and flowers so numerous
No name could have been applied to
it more appropriately than the one it
bears-Florida: ''The Land Of Flow
-Eers." Flowers, from the most deli
cate rose that unfolds its bosom to
the morning zephyr, to the majestic
magnolia which spreads its huge
branches towards the heavens, and
opens the wide petals Of its milky
white flowers to receive its dews,
whilst its odor is waited far and near
on the breath of the wind, may be
found growing spontaneous through
its wilds. The eye Of the unobserv-
ing travellers struck with admiration
las he passes through 1.-THE breath
of song and poetry is stirred in the
breast of the classic student, and the
artist finds ready employment for hi:
pencil. On no spot of the globe has
nature adorned her works more beau.
tifully than in Florida. Poets may
swell the songs, and tourists crowd
their journals, with praises of Italian
scenery; but we will be content with
I those Of our native land, Florida
for none can surpass it, not even TIA.
lly, with its snow-cIad hills and verdani
dales. Nor can its skies, SO much
prated of for ages, exceed in lowell.
ness and grandeur those of Florida
The fragrant breath Of its dewy morn
ings is warmed by as bright solar rays
Jas ever shone upon the face of Italy
and pale Luna sheds her mellow beam:
nowhere more softly. Let the Italian
bard and tourist gaze upon a Florida
sky at the hour of midnight, wher
the last faint moonbeams have fadeG
in the distance, and it resembles
J calm blue sea with glittering on it,
} bosom, as when Cynthia floods it with
an ocean Of light, and anon modestly
retires behind csrtain Of clouds
which she delicatery fringes with va
RED hues, and then returns with fresl
lustre, and they will be ready to ex
claim, Oh, Italy! in Florida you have
a rival in scenery. The heart of The
historian is thrilled with varied emo
9 tons as he gazes upon the antique
D mounds|of Florida, which rise here
and there above its surface as monu
ments of race long since extinct
, and behold the proud battlements o
by-gone ages, now fallen and sinking
. to decay. The history Of Florida
like that of many other States, is one
of war, bloodshed and desolation. i
was once the habitation of numerous
I tribes of Indians, who roamed through
its forests in their native pride, sub
sisting on fruits and wild game, the
latter of which they secured by dex
r terity in the use of the bow and ar
: roy. Their huts We're built of the
bark of trees, and they lived thus f01
ages; but the pale-faced nation enter
ed their dominions, and where once
Q their war-fres blazed brightly, the
:, fires of civilization now glow. Theil