Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-03
Letter From Florida.

JACKSONVILLE FLA, January %.
Msus Ediiors.-One hour ago ! brought my
low rocking chair out upon the porch Of this my
temporary southern home, and abandoned my
self to the full enjoyment Of the balmy air, which
kisses my cheek as softly as ever did tho juno
breczcs, that come up through the valleys Of my
dear old Green Mountain home On my ear
fell the sweet music Of the mocking-birds, and
all around inc were trees in full leaf, gardens
with roses, jcssamines lilies, and other beau
tiful flowers in full bloom, and orange trees bur
doned with their weight Of fruit Before me lay
the broad st. Johns river, It's waters coored by
the golden rays Of the setting sun, while In the
west were piles on piles Of amber-colored clouds
lying lovingly against sky as soft as ever Italy
could boast
Enjoying all these blessings Of this genial cline,
/ fell to dreaming, and memory went back to old
Vermont, beloved ever, but feared because Of the
ley welcome It extends for half the year, and
longing 10 gather around me all those who, like
myself, feel that change Of climate mast b..
made, resolved to write to many Of them through
the columns OF your widely circulating paper.
/ know that all through Vermont are many suf-
fering from pulmonary complaints, who would
gladly spend the winter months in this land OF
flowers u the way 10 get here was not all new
and strange and the question Of expense so en-
trely a mystery for guide books do not find
their way into every home, and, too, they are
seldom entirely reliable. Knowing all these things
felt moved by the spirit Of sympathy with all
suffering humanity to write about these things so
interesting 10 sufferers who need to go to a
warmer cline
First comes the wardrobe aud here let me ad-
wise you not 10 burden yourself with baggage
A gentleman needs plenty Of clean linen, a heavy
suit which he can travel in a suit Of heavy and
one Of light fannes, and a suit Of light spring
clothing A lady needs but little more; a travel
ing suit that can be brushed up for street wear, a
wrapper, one or two good dresses, and flannel
and other Undertaking. a panso straw hat
and good shoes. OF course, gloves ribbons, hair
FILINGS ETC., are as indispensable here rs else
where Make your dresses short, for trains in
Jacksonville sand would become scayengcrs.
Now as 90 route New York is the first OBJ
jcou,c point, and from that place there is variety
efrouto- and over amy of them ticket 10 Jackson
vile and rh0p. good until the first day OF Juno,
can be had for hny dollars. In winter, think
nm all rail route preferable as heavy iogs and
storms are apt 10 prevail on the ocean aud Of the
three or four al rail routes. think all VIII decide
that best which Is by way Of Baltimore, Washing
ton, Richmond, Va, Wilmington, y. c., Column
bia S C., Augusta and savannah, Ga BY this
routo YOU will avoid an abomiuablo ferry In
Charleston, s. c., and many other very disagreea-
bic places Your return ticket could be by way
Of steamer 10 New York OF course, this does
not include sleeping cars nor meals. You will re-
quirc the former three nights which will cost you
six dollars, and the latter I advise you 70 bring
with YOU, as experience has taught me that fare
is hard aud prices high at southern railway
stations
Coming from Savannah by the afternoon train
You will reach here at 9.i5 the following morning
when you will be deaiened by the cries Of porters
proclaiming the merits Of their respective hotels
Take my advice steer clear Of hotels. leave your
baggage at the station aud get some little coored
boy 10 guide you to frst-cass boarding house,
where YOU can have just good fare, just as good
rooms, and home besides, for half the money
the hotels charge At all the good hotels the price
- per day, and a dollar extra II you have FIRE.
There are Of course, great number Of boarding
houses, as nearly every other house takes board
crs in the winter but al are not what would suit
you or l. We went at tirst to a hotel, the Grand
National. but We did not care to remain many
days at eight dollar per day, 30 we resolved our
selves into an investigating committee and started
ont but wc visited large number Of houses be-
fore we found one which seemed 10 combine the
qualities of cleanliness, airy rooms, good beds
and polite hostess but did find all these things
in Mrs Mattsir house, aud further the food is
prepared as we Northcners like it, which is
great de-ideatum, for often person with appe-
tite made fastidious by poor health finds Southern
cooking a great abomination. But have disooy-
cred the secret Of the clean house orderly kitchen
and good food Mrs Mattar was born and raised
not far from Burlington Vermont
Here we have large front room, with three
French windows, wen furnished, well taken care
Of, plenty OF servants attendance, and an abun-
dance Of good food for sl2. 20 per week, each.
She has smaller rooms for $40 The table is sup
piled with all the market affords and now we are
having green peas new beets, and other yegeta-
hles The house will accommodate about fifty
boariers, and is now about fun and all north
ern people pleasant, social and agreeable. am
not advertising houses, but know how gladly /
would have welcomed the information | now give
TO you
The town Is full Of people seeking health and
recreation, and believe an inyalids whose disease
is Of the throat or lungs, or who are debntated
generally, can be greatly benefited, il not cured,
il they viii come here in season. There is no use
in visiting this Southern climate after the Death
angel has already left his footprints, Tor neither
Ponce de Leon nor any Of his successors have
found the fountain Of youth.
Very respectfully,
Ahas A. NJ. CRANE