Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-01-06

their detection. The emerald drop and diamond
bow were thrown away in Spitalfelds, and q
) pair of diamond earrings was flung into a field
near Whitechapel. The gold articles were IN
great part melted down, and altogether it is to
be feared that there is but little chance that La
dy Elesmere will recover any portion Of her
property We are not, however, at the end OF
the enquiry yet, for Witty and Saint, two Of
the chief actors in the robbery, are still 'swant-
ed" On the whole, it may well be questioned
if for many years past SO strange story has
been brought under the notice of London po-
lice magistrate as the fate of Lady Ellesmere's
jewels. 9 H I'1s
j For the Spectator.
A Trip to Florida....No. ~.
In my last, Messrs. Editors, spoke Of the cli-
mate Of this State; in the present number will
speak of the health. iassL p -
/ Florida abroad does not stand fair In point of
health. The last census shows, however, as /
am informed, that in proportion to her popula-
ton there are but two more healthy States in
the Union Now, when it is remembered that
many como here every year in the last stage of
gconsumption, and die because they come too
late, is it not highly probable that If the proper
deduction were made, her claim for health would
be the frst2 e
An intimate acquaintance informs me that
while he lived in Virginia he was subjected to
frequent and severe colds, but that during the
nearly two years he has resided in Florida, ne
has contracted cold but once, and then it was
very trifing. -
Scarlet fever is here unknown, and the terri
BILE bilious feyers so common ON the sea coast,
are said to be nearly unknown on the coast of
Il Tha 10 coid Of oil ha nj
lands also which are very extensive. In the
oak or hammock" lands, as such lands are here
called, aud in the neighborhood of swamps, bill
ious fevers are both common and severe. Far
more of the soldiers who from time to time have
been sent among the swamps after the Seminole
Indians have died of fever than have been killed
by Indian rifles. lc agY
Limestone water, which is so pure and healthy
with you, is said to be a great promoter of fever
and ague in Florida. 1t is to be remembered,
however, that neither limestone, nor limestone
water here are what they are in Va. The diff
ference is about as great as between sound and
unsound wood, and between a stream OF water
that had passed through pile of sound wood,
and another that had passed through pile that
was not sound. Indeed the name "limestone"
is not complete in the State without "rotten"
attached to it. Wherever there is free stone
water the country is said to be healthy; and
wherever the water is limestone, it is said to be
unhealthy. The proper remedy in the latter
case is to make cisterns, and thus get the purest
and most healthy water in the world. This, at
ter short usage is about as palatable as any
other. ~, ,ft ,.a.
After these general remarks it is proper l
should give facts.
Col. B. F. Whitner removed to Florida from
g o. 1
family consisted of himself, his wife, four chill
dren. and about thirty slaves. His first settle
ment was near Madison, where he resided two
years. He then removed to Lake Jackson near
Tallahassee in Leon county. His slaves in the
mean time had been increased to about sixty
At this hitter place he continued till 1851 when
his planting interests were transferred to an ad.
Joining county. Each Of these settlements was
OH very fertile hammock land, which is consider
ed unfayorable to health. Within the 81 years
be has resided in Florida, the births among his
servants have been 55, ten OF which were twins.
There have been IL deaths, three OF which were
from obesity or fatness-one is supposed to have
been from an iDjury-another was overlaid by
its mother, and three others died from the effects
| of measles. est Tegds
Mrs. Whitner was 40 years old at the time of
her removal, and in very feeble health. In her
case the change of climate was very favorable.
She lived after coming to Florida 18 years.
This is the only death in the white family.
John @. MCGEE, Esq, from South Carolina al
So has resided in Florida % years-lives four.
teen miles from Madison-average number of
servants about 65Ahas had but one case Of pneu-
monia-no death from bilious fever, nor any
case of bilious or typhoid fever for ten years.
! James Harrison, from South Carolina, lives 4
! miles from Madison-came to Florida in 1889
with about 90 seryants-has now about 30. a.
mopg these there has been no death, except one
l from old age and another from accident sJ
James Moseby, from North Carolina,-Prin-
cipal and Proprietor Of Madison Female Semin-
ary of which he has had charge for three years
average number of pupils about 50-never had
q pupil to be detained from school on account OF
sickness for week at any one time-has usual
ly had about 90 boarders-has had no case of
fever or of protracted sickness among them.
These facts, which might be extended inde-
fntey have been obtained directly from the
individuals to whom they refer, and are present
ed without any selection. They show conclu.
siyely that those who come to Florida do not
always find an early ve,still your readers must
not suppose this to be an "Eldorado." There is
more or less of disease over the whole State, but
the principal, so far as have learned, is fever
and ague, and that is Gerry common. 1t is said
to be generally so mild, however, that Physi-
clan IS rarely called in to prescribe for it. When
taken by young person, the remark is well
nigh universal, ut will only start him to grow
ing' Very frequently the chill passes off in 10
minutes. 1t does not appear to be more dread
ed here than colds are with you. From all
have learned new corners may look out for it.
Among the lower classes of the people there
L. L. L ,stl.
This is occasoned by their immoral and filthy
habits, together with pine smoke and the cli-'
mate. 1t is sometimes met with, though to o.
far less extent, among the higher classes--fe-
males especially. Then, it is owing to climate
and the darkness of their houses. If trees that
stand thick in the forests, stretch up their tops
to reach the light, while such as do not get a.
fair start are almost sure to die after ashort and
sickly growth if plants in room turn their
tops towards an open window and plants from
which light is excluded are pale and sickly, is
it not mystery that human beings should ex.
pect health by excluding what Is essented to
health in all living naturea Ifthe question were
asked, why are there so many and such large
windows in dwelling houses the proper answer
would be, "To be covered over with blinds and
curtains" This number has been read to two
prominent gentlemen, and pronounced correct.
i II. b.
! ORAToRY.-In looking over some old papers
day or two since We stumbled over speech
delivered by Henry Clay before the students of
the New York State and National Law School.
j Speaking of the art extemporaneous speaking,
he said g a. -
| VI owe my success in life to one single fact,
viz: that, at the age of twenty-seven, COM
menced and continued for years the process of
daily reading and speaking upon the contents of