Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1858-02-05
FLORIDA IN MIDWINTER


FLORIDA IN MIDNFINTER.
We copy the following p!easar1 sketch from
the New York Courier aud Enquirer. 1t j,
| taken from private letter written by a gen
'leman, who is at present sojourning near Tai
lahassee, Florlia. He says
81 was nmeh Interested in the negro celehra-
| ton oi Christmas. The town was filed with
these children OF iIam-some mounted hiph IN
carts, some on mules, aud Others on foot
magnificent auuties with towering tur5ans.
young damselS decked ia every variety Of fl
merry, aad little black iinps in neat white aprops
All with pockets we'll supplied WITH cash,
WhI2h in every way they we're fast RIDING
themselves of. The masters are exceeding lib
erai 10 The bestowal of Christmas gifts. One
gentleman distributed 200 anioue his SER
wants, another $1,000, ann 50 o,4. About two
thousand Of the negroes made a trip on the
cars down to 81. MARKS, twenty-three miles
distant, 10 be absent week The locomotive
bell and whistle, aud the rattle of the cars,
were all drowned IN the din OF negro nirii and
laughter
We were invited the other day down to ex-
Gosesnor q rs plantation to spend few
days IN huuting ducks. The invitation was ea-
gerly accepted, aud with dogs, guns, and all
the accoGtrenleuts necessary We seen set 0ui
Lhs tIde was tuli of interest ami novelty Our
wy was over aily, sandy road, between he'd
gcs of The wild rose, the leaves Yet green, and
here and there the swelling buds bursting forth
INTO tiny flowers Of taFe beauty. The wafer
OAKS aud the myrtle, tie maeEollas ana he
fern>, gave an appearance os perpetual spriug
to the scenery. la the low bottoms were groves
o. grand old oaks, stripped of their leaves, vet
with their limbs draped with festoons OF silyery
'toss, waving gently with every motion OF 1he
mir
Extensive cotton plantations were on either
side, with uegroes picking the last bath, their
black heads seen Jass above the surrounding
white-a curious nIinglng of cotton and wc,,l.
At distance were the quarters-auite
collection OF neat white houses. AS we an
preached, W. observed III uany cases. that they
formed long street, with rows OF treesiDaroni.
They were we'll adapted for comfort, and were
fitted up with considerable taste. And here,
may say: that in uu slave State is the black
laborer moIe comfortably situated than IN this
particular region. My own belief is that Tie
plantation slaves OF The Soutt are the hapniest
class ct lshorers the suRtshnes npou; but no.
where have | seen better fed, better cln.hed.
or better housed negroes, than in this im:aed-
ate vicinity.
After a ten ulles' ride We reached Lake
jackson, and never shall forget the view lis
shores afforded US. Stretching away fifteen
miles, hemmed n by Irregular shores, nlaid
with ndnberess islands, it presented strange
y beautiful aspect. pulled up my horse inst
as his feet touched the little waves, aud nazed
for full half houy. Within stones throw
were a countless number os ducks Of ever va
rle:y, from the huge branch 10 the tufted ctoss-
back. The WOODS resounded with the lnpa-
tent eluck of wild turkeys, while overhead, The
arched sky gave back the inccssant cry Of ten
thousand geese. Upon the sand bars, we could
distinguish the outlines of huge ulhgators,
calmly bldiGg their time, until some well fed
pig might stray that way.
mile across the little bay was the large
and beautiful residence of the ex-Governor. It
was situated upon high bluff, which at once
overlooked the lake aud two thousand acres of
the best cotton lands on the broad earih.-
While We yet gazed, the sun went down, aud
tae sky and lake reflected back it's glories in
soft and brilliant tints of every hue. Bur
lIngton, renowned. for its sunsets. never wit
messed such scene. We forded the BAY, and
by dark found ourselves at the door Of the
house, surrounded by whining pack Of hounds
that seemed to have awaited our coming.
After supper, 1 entered into conversation
with the ex-Governor; and never have | listen
ed to man with greater pleasure. He is a
fine representative of the old Wing party. His
language was terse, pitby, and most expressive
and witty or eloquent, be was full of sterling
sense. he denounced the Democratic party in
severest terms -characterizing the Southen de-
mocracy as the most arrogant, domineering,
ln!olerant party that ever cursed any country
ID any age-ready at any time 10 mngle in one
common ruin both country and Constitution, IL
their insane purposes could not be effected
vacilating hither and thther, restless as the
waves, without priuciple; or ally rule Of truth
or justice for guidance, and recklessly holding
on their way, threatening destruction to both
friend or foe that should attempt to reason
with or oppose them. This impressed Inc all
the more, when observed on the walls of the
room two large portraits OF General Jackson
and wife, taken expressly fer the Governor
while living with the General at the Hcrni-
tage."
The Germantown Telegraph nomnates Com