Litchfield enquirer., 1878-02-21
CORRESPONDENCE.
JACKSONVILLE, FLA, ]
 Feb. Eth, 1878.

corner Of the WOrld! l IeIt NeW 1oIh oii 'uo steamer ''City of Savannah, on Saturday, Feb 2d, at 4:30 p. m. AS the vessel was ly- ing at the dock undergoing the process of load ing and the passengers were lounging and wandering about in that aimless and dis consolate manner that seems to be the proper thing for such occasions, an enterprising news boy approached me with bundle of papers and begged me to buy an afternoon journal containing ''full and complete account of the great disaster :-the Metropolis had sunk and one hundred lives were lost !' Considering that we would probably pass Cape Hatteras within 36 hours, I did not believe that such reading would have any very exhilarating ten dency, and declined to purchase.
 No one came to "see me of, land thought, as we moved majestically down the noble stream (how's that ? that it was sad to leave ones native land, ''unwept unhonored, and unsung" (No extra charge forthe above sen timent) We had the usual motley collection of travellers the irascible old party with the gouty feet and red woolen comforter" ;" the pale and sickly woman with three noisy and obstreprous children; the inquisitive young man who was always in the way when the ropes were being hauled aboard; tho iron-stom- ached old codger who would eat hearty meal if the ship were balancing itself upon the main-mast and, last but not least the young ladies who came on deck when it was possible and who were so timid and fearful, and required so much assistance from those of the sterner sex who were able to be visible to the general public. There were the usual wise predictions with regard to the probable speed of the boat the direction of the trip, and the weather predictions and, of course, the usual assumption of great familiarity with nautical terms, frequent illusions to ''seven bells," 'dog watch" ''heaving the low" and much more humbug of that sort.
 Night came on apace (gide G. P. R. James) and one by one Gas we fairly left Sandy Hook behind us) the passengers found that there were many reasons why it was not perfectly convenient to remain upon deck. We had fresh roll for breakfast is desirable) I don't quite like that kind for supper. In fact do not fancy appearing in that role; so casually stepped down to my room and there I remain ed for many weary hours Let us draw veil here. I will not weary you or your read CTS with my description of the steamer. It is spick and span new boat and most elegantly fitted up it's gentlemanly officers, &c, &c., &c. You know how it all reads, and there is no use of writing the same old stuff over again. We walked the deck, watched for sails ate three meals per diem (when possible), played cards; but, 1 am happy to say, did not descend to the depth of private theatricals Hatteras proved vigorous and crazy spot. If point of the compass, one could have endured it but it blew from seven distinct and differ ent quarters at once, thereby imparting pleas ing motion of spiral sort to the vessel Many persons remarked, 70, my" and it seewed to be very earnest and sincere observation pro- ceeding from the inmost recesses of their na lures but we had no disaster, although one young lady awoke in the middle of the night and positively and fearfully asserted that the boat was leaking and going directly to the The apprehensions were quieted and we all managed to get to sleep again.
 On Tuesday evening we arrived at the mouth of the Savannah River, and commenc- ed crawling up to the city which is about twenty miles from the ocean. realized, for the first time, the gigantic absurdity of at- tempting to make seaport of an inland town. By using birch canoe and availing oneself of the tortuous Shepaug and Bantam rivers, Litchfield might be called a seaport. Savan- nah is pretty city and there are numberless little parks that give very charming appear ance to the town. The houses are usually all built with galleries, as they are called, and the sight of cameias, jassamines, and oranges growing in the open air in the middle of win ter (our winter) gives me very curious idea that all the ordinary laws of nature are rever- sed in this climate.
 At SD. m. we took the ''City of Bridgeton'' for Florida. Now it would perhaps be SUD- posed, at tho first glance, that this again would be an ocean trip-not at all. On the Atlantic coast, there is vast network of creeks, runs, bayous and rivers and skillful pilot can worm bis way through them without once getting out of smooth water. The distance is about 25O miles from Savannah to Jacksonville and for many miles our course was through creek l Git was nothing else) with barely six feet of water in the middle of the channel, while our boat was drawing full five; the little steamer | would plunge her nose into mud bank and then half dozen stalwart negroes would put out long poles and push off. Night came on with a heavy fog and the captain of our craft coolly ordered two stakes driven into themud. This was done, and the ''Bridgeton" was hitcted up like horse! We staid there sever- al hours. About midnight it chanced to our skipper that it would be good idea to ''move on," and accordingly we pulled up stakes Git erally) and of we started again. Meantime we had all 'turned in" Chats the correct phrase) and awake to find ourselves fastened to the Jacksonville pier. Imagine city about as large as Norwich, with the queerest mixture of northern and southern styles for houses
 northern ivy growing on the walls, and oranges on the trees close by no paved streets, and hardly a spear of grass in the whole town the dropping southern moss hanging from every possible tree and about seventy-fve hotels and
 boarding houses. There is any quantity of northern energy here, and the place is sure to grow in importance; it may, even now, be safely called the Chicago of the South. Just
 as Paris means France, so does Jacksonville
 mean Florida. It is the point on the St Johns
 river; and the harbor, which is certainly a
 lovely one, is one of the best on the line of the Southern coast. am very pleaTantly located
 here under the hospitable roof of Dr. Mitchell,
 a we'll known resident to whom much of the
 city's prosperity and importance is due. Both
 the Doctor and his charming wife are New
 England people and already feel thoroughly
 at home, thanks to their-courtesy and kindness.