The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-12-13

dious-noticeable even IN the sounds Of
hovs Mt t,iay, I was struck with tne good
order that prevailed, for, during my
month Of residence, heard no oatn ano
| raw neither fighting nor dr1nkenness eNc,ep.
among United States soldiers. L heafd OF
no crime committed. a more orderly com
munity does not exist anywhere anu sH ~,
e s;nI,lsr. ms there Is here none Of that III
dnstTy which is supposed elsewhere to keep
man from mischief.
or course there is no business going on
| The men pretend to fish, chiefly at night,
and this gives them an excuse for lounglne
| about or sleeping during the DAY. 81;
| Augustine sicstas are very long Ones ~, !
have known them to last all day. The
women do all the work. They are here the
better part Of creation. They make OF The
palmetto and wild water-grasscs most lnge.
niousiy plated work-hats, bonnets, table
mats, napkin rings, toilet boxes, ana many
other things ornamental and useful. Lateiy
they have begun to manufacture laee, anu
from the specimens Of skill shown, tne lace,
work of st. Augustine will, in the opinion
of Judges. soon be widely known and much
sought after. .,o,
like these people they invariably treat
STRANGERS with courtesy. Often rs l nave
conc into house, led by an idler's curiosity,
10 ask questions in regard to anything that
struck inv fancy, and often rs j must nave
interrupted and annoyed them, was never
treated with rudeness by the inhabitants.
NV visit was never regarded as an intrusion,
my questions were always answered, anu
nv curiosity gratificd TO the best OF their
ability. Nor was this done as though anxious
10 get rid of one unwelcome, but with a
manner as if really pleased at being able TO
serve stranger.
There arc many houses in ruins, and
MANY others uninhabitcd. and falling to de-
cav. Their appearance adds to the pic
turesuueness Of the view when you look
over the city. Yet it is sad evidence Of
want of prosperity. Neglect and desolatlon
are written on the face of this once falr
town, and unless more active population
steps in, it must dWindle away, and its very
dust be blown into the sea.
MANY Spanish families went oil to CUBA
wber the United States flag was raised here
in 1920: many have gone since; thus houses
were left tenantless and fell into ruin. Titles
are uncertain and the tenure OF property
insecure: although this is common and
chronic complaint throughout all Florida.
The Young men of the place who have any
energy move off and 60 into business else
where, for here there is nothing to give en-
'ployment. st. Augustine was merely
military post under the Spaniards.. Now II
is merely health-station for invailds; ana
herein lies its true value and the scope OF
its future prosperity.
ITS inhabitants live to old age, and ltssoft
and balmy climate, its pleasant sea-breeze.ss,
with its abundant richness of fish and fruit,
have restored the health and heightened the
life of many an invalid.
It should become a great sanatorium or
healing-place-a Bethesda, though without
healing waters-for that class of diseases
called by the general name of consumption,
and which unfortunately prevails SO 'cXten-
siycly throughout our country.
There is much more to be seen ana SPOKEN
of in This quaint old town. The fort Of San
Marco itself, both in its construction and
its history, viii justify a full description.
There is an old-time and other world-gghmor
about the city of Melendez that eXcites IN
terest, and will require further talk with
your readers. d. L. L.