The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-08-04
THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH.

A correspondent of the New York
Courier and Enquirer gives the following
description of singular and beautiful
spring, in Florida, which tradition says is
the Identical "Fountain of Perpetual
Youth" whose tabled virtues so inaamed
the imsginations aud excited the longings
of the romantic Spaniards-the same
fountain for which De Soto sought, and in
the search for which he was led to the dis
covery Of stream so much more wonder
full and of waters which, if they did not
reiuyenate the man, have done much to
give new complexion to the world
We should think such "crystal waters"
a. are here described, might penetrate the
system and cleanse it OF the weakness Of
age; and can scarcely wonder at the wild
faith of the old Castilap. Who would
not like, in these hot days at least, one
plunge into the clear cold basin, to test
the virtues of the waters, even now?
"a few days since, l returned from a
visit to this famous fountain. can vourh
for its existence. suppose that the eff
cacy of its miraculous virtues has long
since vanished. But its beauties are so
extraordinary, and its whole nature so
anomalous, as to excite in the beholdcr nr
little admiration and wonder. "Wahalla"
springs, for so the Indians christened
them, are situated sixteen miles south
from Tallahassee. They form the sources
of the Wakulla river, which, flowing d.
-rectly south twenty miles, mingles with the
wsters of the great gulf. The springs,
covering an area of some two hundred
yards in circumference, are entirely en-
bosomed in dense forest OF oaks and
expresses, whose limbs are hung with ban
ners of gray moss, which give solemn,
sombre appearance to the surroundings.
! From the shore you remark at once the
!, singular clearness of the waters and the
! distinct colors of blue and green which
cover in patches its surface. BY means
Of a rough scow, and q stalwart negro al
the sweeps, our party was soon afioat.
, Not ripple curled the smooth surface.
Stretched at length upon the boards, we
gazed down into the limpid depths. BY
actual measurement, the bottom was two
hundred ahd eighty feet below us, yet we
could distinguish the minutest object there
with the utmost precision. A bit Of sill
yer in gentle undulations, slipped to the
bottom, appeared undiminished in size.
At times the white sands were decked with
dancing shadows--or when at rest, were
tesselated with hues of every variety ol
shade. Shells and fakes of mica radiated
like prisms
..In some places immense trees were
Feclining upon beds of moss, like giants
ht rest. There were elevations and de
lpressions, huge ranges Of coral-like rock
J.snd valleys stretching in peusive quiet
idess between" There were abrupt preci
faices and topling crags which overhuns
sbysses which no plummet had yet sound
Cd. Mosses and water plants covered
ether places like forests Of ferns. The.
Tsved their tops as II famed by gentl
hreeze. And there were vast troops o
fshes whose home life we could look il
uDou without breach of etiquette. The,
stened entirely unconcerEed, looking VI
st- ns with perfect indifference and moving
s;lsutly on into the mossy forest beneath
) Il dozen yards distant was an ugly look
ibg alligator who eyed us wistfully. o.
keearcr approach he gradually sank int
tS'ewater and disappeared from view in
BID of rushes While skirting along tb'
horders NC came over the bones of u mas