The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-07-20
A LAWYERS RETREAT.
Correspondence Of the Democrat
FELICIANA ORANGE GROVE.
ut. Johns River, Florida.

CORRESPONDENCE OF J1e D6WOGEHt.I
FEhIc1ANA ORANGE GROVE.
st. Johns River, Florida. !
/ arrived at this delightful retreat several
days ago, and thinking that your readers
will be interested In hearing of the prac
deal operation Of one OF the most BEN
eicent Of the philanthropic schemes of
the day, am embroidered to give them the
result Of my observations. Some years ago
the bar of East Felieiana parish, in your
State, sympathizing deeply with the miseries
of the old and decayed members of the pro-
fesson, and moved moreover BY O prudent
regard for their own provision for the future,
agitated d scheme for the establishment Ut D.
retreat where their declining years might bs
spent far from the maddenng crowd. and
from the hot arena where every man wallis
with his head III cloud Of poisonous flies.
One of their number owning an orange grove
on the st. Johns river, generously donated It
to a corporation to be formed for this purpose.
Circulars were issued to the members of the
profession Offering life membership for $500.
which were literally responded to, and q
large amount was thus supplied, which has
been judieiously employed in building beauti-
full cottages, and laying out walks among the
majestic magnOlias and live oaks. which
nature had planted here In anticipation OF
this noble design. A large library has been
erected, filled with the musty tones which
lawyers delight to read, and with files Of an
tfquated journals, brimming with the topics
OF "auld lang syne" in which they are most
Interested. An assembly room Is provided,
where 81 regular intervals, they have their
moot courts, aud capaclous garden chairs are
placed under the spreading limbs Of Q grand
old oak, where they meet and discuss the
questions OF the olden days aud fight their
battles over again.
introduced to the veterans assembled in
solemn conclave. The noble st. Johns
stretched it's broad expanse at our feet. A
cool evening breeze gently played through
the mosses floating from every limb Of the
Druidical oak, which protected us with its
hospitable shade, the soft cooling OF the dove
calling Its mate was heard through the orange
groves glistening in the soft effulgence OF the
evening, and all nature In sympathy WAS
serene and staid to suit an old gentleman's
humor. The white sails OF the fishing yachts
belonging to the Retreat hoatad like seagulls
Ii the distance. and the delicate perfume OF
| Howers 'beat like balm on our eyebrows
] was received with that old-fashioned cor
dality characteristic of the genial profession,
but my arrival did not interrupt the discus
sion, which seemed to be very animated, but
did not embrace any topic connected with
their professional avoeation. Every man was
telling what the knew about farming" /
| aferward learned that every vegetable on
The place was producedb by stpendiary niggers
provided by the corporation, but 1t was de-
ightful to hear the vast fund Of abstract and
theoretical knowledge which was poured on
the subject. Agricultural authorities, from
the time OF Sinclair and Washington to
Meachi and Horace Greeley. were profusely
quoted. Old Judge a., who Fad been 4 school.
teacher in his younger days, was successful
~ interfering an apt quotation from the
Heorgics, and then relapsed into severe con-
templative state OF satisfaction that was de-
fUI ffY HaH IN 1Y,E.i5
lion the conversation drifted on to the
subiectof hunting and fishing One rubicllnd
old gentleman, whose feet were comfortably
encased in slippers, and who was quietly
sucking 9 briar-wood pipe, In lull Of the
conversation, began o very graphic and inter-
esting account OF the capture of q famous
salmon made by him years ago IN the classic
Tweed. AS his recollection tloated back to
glorious by-gone days of vacation and frolic.
his eyes dilated, his voice broadened from its
piping treble into a rich and melodious bass,
ana his form expanded as under the stimulus
o. 9. some generous wine. | was led to inquire
they derived much pleasure from
famous fisheries Of the st. Johns.
ho," ne replied. the fact Is that We never
goiishing.. An abundant supply is furnished
gs by the fishermen employed by the corpora
I,on We do all our fishing in imagination.
we have just as much fun. and we don't have
any trouble about it, When | was in active
practice, ! lpnged every summer to return to
The brook that flowed by my fathers old mill,
and where OF Saturdays | used to catch perch
and blue cat. At last made q big fee III that
celebrated case Of Ketchum VS.. IA'llens, Il be-
leve you We're on the other sideTst and / went
back to realize I'LL my imagined joys. ] went
out with all the apparatus had bought in
.ne city, and thought | was going
20 have good time. But oil things
mad changed The sky had an
otner hue, the brook did not splash against
me rocks with the old-time music, the trees
alsaleal to my boyish imagination.
Pete said to my old black playmate. Il
n saI find the same old brook that left here;
,els. ali changed for the worse; what 10 the
matter with it?"
III tell you what it Is. Mass Jim. You'se
thoaaa everything you left here cepting the
There was vast philosophy In that The
y9;taAthful imagination that tinged all nature
t thhstle On the buttertiy's wing, and gave to
Az Az. breeze the fragrance which floats from
.nlaDy the blest. All was gone. | folded up
n ny rods with sigh, and now we fish only IL
a.se.lospect. An elysium OF messy banks and
Killing waters and trout with all the colors
u u t .ne dying dolphin are conjured at one wave
ra.s me magic wand, and we desert barren
~ aailsles for that elysian ideal land where we
- ,ipGus all the summer afternoons.
n, Inc next day the jurisconsuIts Chats the
~ a. W tney give themselves) were assembled
~ we forum to discuss important business.
~ uu new Orleans papers had come 10, giving
h nn synopsis OF proposals before the Jonssl.
nv hai qaa Convention. By an organlc law OF
III Aetreat the veterans we're RfohlplLeu Ilog
SSlssacausslng any topics later than the 1hT =.
seott decision and the Robinson Reports. "