The Republican journal., 1871-04-20
Letter from Florida.
Correspondence OF the journal.

who joined us, We're the leading spirits of
the expedition. To one, who we dcsig-
mated as the ''life of the group" we We're
indebted for much amusement The first
point of interest is Pilatka, the largest
place above Jacksonville. 1t has q de
lightful climate, and is situated on u high
bluff above the river. 1t is the head
quarters for steamboats, from Charleston
and Savannah On our arrival we found
four large steamers, filled with passcn-
gers, mostly, like ourselves, pleasure
seekers; also two small boats, resem-
bling pictures of the ark, bound for the
Ocklawaha. Our boat here was soon fill
ed with mosquitoes. The walls were
black with them, and we were an
ticipating Il suffering night, when the
chamhermaid informed us they We're the
blind race, and did not bite, and that
they were often so numerous that they
We're taken on shoyels from the decks.
Plenty of early vegetables, peas, pota-
toes and beans we found, and inccssant
sunshine and profusons of flowers. An
orange grove opposite the town, contain
ing five hundred trees, is finely arranged
and 4 splendid sight. The frost this year
has injured the fruit, but not the trees
1t is twenty years since the orange crop
has suffered as much as this season.
On leaving Pilatka, we sail from lake
to river, and river to lake, for nearly two
days. At times we find it very crooked,
and winding into such sharp angles it
seems impossible for our small craft to be
turned. The banks of the river are cov-
cred with Il luxurious growth of tropical
vegetation, with often Il clearing, but
mostly q wilderness of oaks, magnolia in
full flower, bay, cyprus, and gum trees,
and again palmetto grove interviewer
with towering shrubs, and covered with
wild vines of honeysuckle, nasturton,
| and varieties of ivy
We enter first Lake George, 16 miles
long, and nearly as wide Here we find
Rembrant's Island, with 20OO acres cover
| ed with orange groves, fields of sugar
cane; and here, tor novelty, we see a
two story house lost almost in the wilder
ness. Next Lake Beresford, where inn
mense tlocks of white cranes and heron
circle the air, curlcws with their pure
white plumage, paroquets with brilliant
! hues, wild ducks, geese, snipc and wood
cock. The wild turkey is splendid bird, ,
but difficult to find after being killed. on
account of the treacherous nature of the
swamps. The air is filled in the morning
with the sweet songs of the birds, and at
night the hooting of owls furnishes music
for us. Some of the horned owls are very
curious.
Again we enter the narrow river.
where the cry from some of the party
takes you to the side of the boat for an al
ligator, but oftcner you see a decaycd log
with turtle perchcd upon it, and again
4 good shot for 4 rare bird proves to be q
buzzard. Alligators are getting shy of
| gunpowder and no wonder. for some
days there is such firing from the boat.,.
it seems like u 18th of July.
Lake Monroe is Il very handsome sheet
of water, and here we find Mellonvillc,
formerly the site of TT. Mellon, during the
Indian war. This is the place where the
Florida Improvement Company have To-
Gated, and taken thousands Of acres OF
land, commencing to plant oranges and
bananas, and an immense vineyard is be
ing laid out. Many are buying lands, and
feel that in few years they may sit under
their own vine and fig tree We visited
Senator Grimes's orange orchard, of some
$500 trees. Every tree is set out to form
regular squares, and about the same size
and height, and are filled with flowers, the
perfume almost overpowcring, and oranges
of all shades, from green to bright yellow
| Here we find lemon and fig trees The
frost did not inurc the fruit ii this place,
and the estimated value of the crop is
$4,000. One tree had $1,000 oranges,
and many of them thousand each.
Directly across the lake is Enterprise,
comprising some dozen houses, and Il
large hotel filled with nvaliis The air is
said to have healing in its drafts The
Green Spring here is beautiful, Us clear Is
crystal, one hundred feet deep, and sur
rounded by palmettos which are splendid
ly reflected in It's depth. The water has
a sulphurous taste, and is not pleasant.
The sulpher and salt springs are very
numerous through Florida, are tepid and
recommended for rheumatic persons to
bathe, and be healed therein
Lakes Harncy and Jessup, above here,
is rs far rs the stcamer can go. These
lakes are the head quarters for hunters and
fishers, and the woods abound in game.
Here are found plenty of deer and the
waters all well stocked with excellent fish,
nnoily oonght sllch rs haSs mullot, trout,
&c. Quite q trade is carried on at these
places on the river with the natives.
Flowers made of paroquet feathers, ali-
gators teeth, converted into charms and
whistles, palmetto seed necklaces and
fans; canes of the orange, guava and ma
tive woods. 1t was amusing to see the
dress of our friends On their return, deck
cd with these Florida curiositcs. As none
of the party were invalds we had fine
time, and shall long remember our sail TO
the upper St. Johns
Before leaving Florida | must speak of
Fernandina. Our brief visit satisfied us
that it is desolate place. At the north
of the St. Johns river, it has fine beach,
and one can have fine cool ride for miles.
There is Ladies' Seminary here, under
care of the Bishop of Florida, and it is
considered a fine place for the health OF
the students: but should feel it rather a
lonely spot for a young girl to be sent to
from northern home. But l must now
take my friends who feel interested to fol
low my course to Savannah. A. NJ.
,c %o1I T,,lr .cl