Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1857-09-16
Seasons and Scenery in Florida.


To one born and reared in northern. eli
mate, and accustomed to its rapid and mark
ed changes Of season, the seasons IN Florida
seem, in their Transition, to leave little inn
preston upon the face of nature. ~
When winter is with us, it is not in that
stern presence which characterizes his sway
in the realms lying nearer to, his Arctic
throne: instead of the rafting of frost COW
cred branches, and shrill piping of winds
through shivering trees, we have the rustling
lof foliage and the singing of birds. There
is also the massive verdure of forest vines, lit
3up by the star-like blossoms Of the yellow
jessaminc, and the red-bird fits from twig to
twig, like point Of flame in the deep shade.
The air, usually as genial as balm, only
owns the advent Of winter by the occasional
cool puff of a northerly gale; the mulberry
and the pride Of India," so glorious in
the summer attire, will, as the sunbeam's ar
dor flags, resign their gorgeous ornaments,
and seem silently to implore shelter for their
delicacy from the evergreen, pine, oak, orange
and magnolia, whose ample vestments per-
petually clothe the plains Of Florida with
verdure.
During the past winter, sat, with the
broad St. Johns flashing before me in the
sunlight, while, the poetic Hudson, which |
knew was solid ice-path among It's snow
wrapt hills, became present to my imagina-
ton, and the two scenes formed contrast in
which l found quiet enjoyment. Those bleak
highlands were softened of their ruggedness
by the halo of early memories of kindred,
and friends, and home, the inner picture was,
for deligbtfulness, the successful rival Of the
fair scenes really around me.
Belonging to that large class Of humanity,
the pulmonarily afflicted, l have long been
exiled from my native empire state by the
rigors of its climate; and at length, seeking
for genial abode and renewed health, have,
like Ponce de Leon Of old, come to the
t" Flowery Land" II
Among these kindly forest hooks, | find
hundred of Others counting refuge from re-
lentless winter: some who with dropping spirit
and enfeebled frame, at the summer solstice,
will turn their way towards the north, there,
with friends, to die on the bosom of affec-
ton; some doomed to struggle painfully
auoOHCl yNais lhu oSoih, bhu-hhO,
migrate; Others perchance, may leave their
bonds behind them here, and joyfully wend
homeward to their loved ones and dear fami-
liar scenes, with restored vigor-having found
the boon above price in this most bland
cline. But each returning spring finds here
many stranger graves to deck with grassy
pail and wild flowers.
But there are others here besides invalids.
Many dweler at the north has been en-
ticed hitler by the profits of the fine lum-
Der; and pleasure come, attracted by
the romance aud luxury associated with
land Of the myrtle and vine" where the
beauties Of spring and summer cease not,
and the killing touch Of cold is unknown,
while the shades of the orange and lime in
vite to the enjoyment of leisure and pleas
ure inefable. So some poor sweltering ma
tive of the tropics often longs to visit the
cool side of an iceberg. .'
The least discomfort in any position
prompts to change; and much Of the little
enjoyment of our life consists in the touring
hunts we make for it; but the memorable
mandate Of disease only expelled me from
my home and dear native hills. | find no
spot in which Joy smiles and sorrow does not
come; nor any where the real does not prove
that imagination has gilded, and distance
lent charms to the view.