The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-03-18
lFoR THE INDEPENDENT pREss.1
Florida Correspondent.
(coScLuDED.)
TO AN OLD FRIEND.

TO AN OLD FRIEND
LAKE CITY, FLORIDA.
have just returned from the Silver
Springs in Marion Co., left ElIsvile, nv
beautiful, transitory home, near EllisviIle, on
Tuesday the 7th of January, with joviaI
crowd of the young and gay all the party
native OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES on visit with
frends-others for the improvement of
health, and few bachelors whose desire to
accumulate wealth, have sought and found
homes in this cotton growing country, where
l suppose they are fast becoming indepen-
dently rich. BY the way, there are more
bachelors in Florida, than you could enum-
crate but they will by and bye, make their
homes more cheerful, when they consider
they have sufficient means TO live comfor,a-
bly,. Tasteful grounds are already spread
out in view Of the passerby, and upon which
the happy possesscr loves to feast his eyes,
cherlshing hope that cro long, if his
glossy wavelcts should be mingled with
the sivery threads of age-his sparkling
eyes more dim, and his step less firm. The
young ladies will not object, to such trivial
detects as that while he has plenty of SER
wants, and an abundance of this worlds
goods that she may indulge in extravaganza
and live sumptuously upon his bounty.
But to come back to my Silver Spring
tour, we travelled the first day 25 miles as
The morning was cold, we did not start early.
We crossed the natural bridge-woud not
have dreamed we were crossing a river, had
we not been told, by some OF the party =,
who were familiar with the country. There
was no perceptible elevation of land, and
no difference of vegetation. The Santa
Fe, here, runs for several miles, subterranc-
ously. This river, divides Alachua and
Columbia Counties, in part At noon we
stopped at beautiful spot, near small
stream, to refresh our bodies with the deli
cacies, our kind friend, Mrs. Lites, had
thoughtfully provided US with. In the eve.
ming, we passed near deep cavern. We
al'ghted from our carriages-went and
looked down into its depths, while some of
us, not being satisfied with mere lookin q
down from the mouth of the cave, must
descend its ragged walls--roots affordin q
steps. proceed ed more than hundred
feet below the level surface above, when it
became too damp; far down the mossy
s'des' dripped unccasing drops of
water, and the air became too m uch con-
densed. Twas with difficulty, we ascended
the steep ACTIVITY, and were nearly ex-
hausted when we reached the level surface
above. We stopped that night at Mr..
hamsay's, and Jared sumpluously, from
his well spread table.
Wednesday morning we passed through
Payn's prairie, which is ten miles long, and
three wide, over which the tall golden
grass waves, as the light breezes sweep over
its smooth surface. Where we entered this
lovely prairie, twas bordered by the most
beautiful of oak groves, as green as mid
summer woodlands. Each tree was formed
as if it had been trimmed, by caolful
hand. with no limbs, for five or six feet, 80
that you might walk beneath their happy
boughs, which lap and mingle into each
other, forming grand web Of net work
On one side of the prairie, there was skirt
of woods whose bright and varied !l.;Ies
remind us ofsearly autumn, and far off in
the distance grove of leafIess trees repre-
sented stormy winter and though these
grand old oaks had been robbed Of their
summer vesture. they arc still not devoid of
beauty as their huge dark limbs are grace
fully draped in the long grey moss which
is very common in this country, and which
is said to be an indication of sickness,
where tits so abundant. We. travelled over
dreary portion of country, after we LEFT
the prairie, till we come to Miccanopy a
flourshing little village. The Tuscawila
lake lies just beyond the village, also a
small prairie and hammock all of which are
named in honor of Tuscawilla wife of the
Indian az chief, Miceanopy. We diped with
Judge Means and his brother=-two wealthy
bachelors who live near the villageAwho
gave US an excellent dinner, to which We
i did ample Justice. They wsis distant REL
ss'ves, as well as intimate friends 10 some Of
Y the g crowd. formerly from |sparlanbu,rree s.
O. WestayedtiRt evening as twas rain
ihg, then iHl went on ., few miles tSrthsr to
General Covasder's, under swhose.roof.w we
spent very pleasant night Miss Banch
tbe General = daughter, and Mics Edward.
her Governess delighted -as with iars deli
eioas music. It caaie z Whea 7sS lilessttex-
fse.a aug ,xas a vslsomsa cbaa,p,is acba,mp,ispg
surprise We stayed till: theamornius ~as
|ala0ss psss ish!s / bsssgafaI lsS4
dence, where We had beea3a hindLC ehsss.
siadsds 1853 SoustrF is not very tbickly