The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-05-12
LETTER FROM MAGNOLIA, MISS
special Correspondents. of tn. New Orleans Crescent

Special Correspondence Of Orleans Crsscentl
CENTRAL HOUSE, MAGNOLIA. Mss,
May 9td, 1865.
All distinguished travellers keep Journal Of
their experiences when thrown amongst " stran.
gers in a strange land" and all distinguished
Newspaper correspondents give their travels to
the public in such glowing colors that one Is
almost tempted to follow in their footsteps. There
have been letters innumerable from London, that
modern Babel; from Paris, that city of sights
then why not from Magnolia, that town Of the
beautiful flower whenceit derives its namel
Oh. friend CRESCENT, il you could but see the
view from my window to-day: the magnolia trees
with their dark. shiny leaves and large, white
blossoms, standing out in bold relief against the
sky with here and there giant oak, aud here and
there tiny white cottage, the sun shining over
all from blue and clOudless sky. There are no
sounds to break the charm but the song Of birds
innumerable. the tinkle of distant cow-bells and
the voises of little children down at the swing
the island.
Itis hard to imagine on a glorious day like this
that trouble or sorrow can ever come; the
heaviest heart must feel the influence, and rise
impercepubly TO brighter thoughts.
Magnolia is on the Jackson Railroad, in the State
of Mississippi five and a half hours travel from
New Orleans; all of which facts are probably well
known, but everyone does not know that the Gen.
tral House Is being kept this summer by General
Chas. +. Smedes, OF st. James Hotel memory.
All those who know the general can imagine the
genial host he makes. Nothing is too much
enjoyment of his guests. One feels at home in
stinctlvely In his big hotel, and If they not
satisfied it surely must be their own fault for
even now, before the season has fairly opened,
and with only two families in the house, the ma
chinery is in famous working order and regular as
q clock.
The table is excellent everything is well cooked
and served in good style. There are fine corps
of servants, who seem to know their proper work
and do il thoroughly.
Gen. Smedes deserves TO succeed this summer.
He has spared no pains TO make the place attract
i've to city people.
The health of the permanent residents is re-
marksble; they do not support physician; so
all ye delicate people come 10 Magnolia, and, in
haling its health giving breezes, grow strong and
well.
/ must not omit mention Of the island; il Is
quite prominent feature. The children think il .
Paradise on earth, and children Of larger growth
consider it charming resort. II is delightful TO
sit on a bench hanging over the river, pretending
TO read novel, but gazing anon over the top of
yOnr book into the lucid depths Of the Tangipahoa
(where the dear little fish have good time all
Gay } and anon at the swing filled with merry
children, (also having good time } and anon at
the be&utif1i rustic bridge spanning the stream,
where one invountary stops to gaze into the
water beneath. Yes, friend CRESCENT, this is
really charming place.
The walks and drives around the neighborhOod
are very pretty. IL is very hilly, and the river
winds in and out between the hills, making it
quite picturesque.
Gen. Smedes ia now making arrangement to
huDd a fine ten.pin alley and prepare croquet
ground. He already has fna billiard tables.
SO, friend Editor, II would be worth while TO
run up the road and pay the Central House visit
am sure you would leave with as pleasant i'm
pressions as your sdmiring friend,
NTNNEHAHA,