Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-05-19
Spirit Of 5effsrsan,
LRTTER FRoM FLORIDA..

I
a young lady now sojourning in the land of
the Evergreens. 1t is entirely needless that
we should ask for this letter careful read
ing, for the writer's brilliant descriptive
powers as shown and developed in the ex-
tracts presented, are sufficient to attract
attention without word from us. We
publish the letterwi pleasure, and are con-
fidcnt that our readers would gladly hail 9TH
crs from the same source IL
MoNT1CELLLo, Fla, May, 1868.
I find continued meeting with novelties
does not satisfy, keeps the mind in painful
gu oiee for something new; begets a, reck-
less, expectant spirit, that feels more disap-
pointnient at the sight of familiar things, than
surprise or wonder at beholding new. Thus,
Florida has become to me ''cutiosity shop"
where each object interests in proportion as it
differs from the known. a fne Opportunity
for gratifying this alert spirit presented itself
in a cordial and enticing inyitation from a
wealthy planter to spend some time in ex-
plorinS aud enjoying the novelties Of planta-
ton life. We accepted with pleasure. After
some delay, incident to all visits, where ladies
are allowed to select their time, we found our
selves on our way, literally rejoicing, luxu-
rating in all the comforts derived from easy
seats, good roads, fine horses, and fresh, warm
genial spring air. Our ride was a glorious
one, through stately pines fragrant magnolias,
which latter, by the way, has the most ex-
quisite bloom-a large, pure, white flower,
whose cup oyerlows with strong perfume,
very like that of GttrondEiS or Lemon Tcr-
Jena. Again, on either side, We were hemmed
in by impenetrable hammocks, afording a
safe retreat for bears, panthers, wild cats, &C.
strengthened by anything We saw or heard.
We had started late, and when daylight faded
we found the beauty of our ride much en-
hanced by the bright bath of clear moonlight,
that flooded our road. Flow the glossy south
ern foliage glimmered, guiyered and danced,
and how the dark spots flashed with myriads
of fre-ilies, till the very air sparkled nor did
we lack music, though less plaintive woald
have been preferred, than arose from the full
chorus of frogs, and repeated wall Of the
whippoorwill, which Mr.. M, our enter
tanning friend told us, had been translated by
his little daughter Eva, to g whip Eve well"
At length we saw blazing and flashing in the
distance, lights, which proved to be the pine
torches Illuminating the city of negro cabins
on the plantation. Arriving at the mansion,
we were cordially welcomed by Mrs. M
and her two daughters, Belle and Eva-such
pretty names, L thought, Belle, Eva, and
Alvin M. The next day was spent in
rambling, noting the tender, new green cots
ton plant; gathering wild flowers, which we
found in such prolusion, as to well warrant
Ponce De Leon in his eognomen of IdScu1
Fiori3a. The next day we attended pic
mic held at the head of the Wacissa river
l am afraid shall only give you shade Of
an idea of the enjoyment of the day, and the
beauty of the scenery there. After riding
some seven miles, we were halted by river
in the road-not rushing by-but really in
it-not proceeding from gushing, boiling
spring, but placid sheet of water, already
there-a deep river in ambush, so closely
covered with The large fiat leaves of the water
lilies, that you might step down to Davy
Jones without knowing you we're leaving
terra 1i1nn. The Wacissa is clear as the
water you hold in goblet; it does not rush
or roll, dashing, roaring and foaniing, as do
our rivers, but glides placidly, noiselessly,
not overawing you with a sense of power and
destruction but deceptive in its clearness,
gives no idea of its depth, and therefore, l,
who have always had nervous dread of
water, took boat ride of mile and half
without the least trepidation. True, we were
on the &c Stonewall," rowed by u sturdy fish
erman, who used his oars as arms, made nat
ural by habfe
Indeed, it did not seem so dreadful to go
down where all was so bright and clear
The mosaic floor of the fnny tribe, was in
laid with shells that reflected prismatio col
ors, and over all the golden sand glanced and
flashed in the sunlight like sprinkled dia-
monds. We could see vegetation as plainly
as on land-long grasses interlacing and form
ing a network OF threads of gold and silver.
The fish swan in full sight, away down so
deep, that some that did not appear longer
than my pen>holder, the fisherman said were
large trout. We passed over an almost un-
fathomable spring, and here we appeared to
be in funnel. shaped bowl, all dark beneath,
aud yet away down the sand sparkled in ebul-
litons like specs OF gold. In many places our
boat parted the lilies that covered the sur
face, their large fiat leaves yielding to the
sway of every ripple-never above, never be-
low-no matter what the depth of the water.
The lilies (white) seem tangible purity-nat-
ural growth of the limpid waters below
Some lily leaves we found to have the same
popularity of our silversleaied butter-cu
perfectly waterproof, and when immersed
rejecting silver light. These we folded in
cups, and drank the crystal drops as they were
converted into molten silver. Twas easy to
90 back to Indian days. when gaily painted
canoes foated happily, ladened with treasures
of bright feathers aud dazzling beads-jew-
els that We scorn and mock and yet 1 doubt
If in our substitutes of gold and precious
stones, we have not also replaced natures
wisdoui-ceasless happiness, and content IN
marred by envy--with labored knowledge,
misery and discomfort @.
Perhaps iu this clear spring, bathod the
dusky form of she who rescued the fair pris-
oner Odz at the risk of fathers love, and
brought down his wrath in cruelty that sac
rifced her lover Muscozo, and made enemies
of his tribe-a story that gives to the his
tory of Florida Pocahontas not less brave
than our own. We remained on this spring
for some time, and left reluctantly a scene