The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-01-25
VOL. XIV.-NO. 10.

] must not omit to say word about the
mocking -bird-surely the most beautiful
singer in the world. These are hung out
from the shop doors, filling the air al up
and down the morrow, long streets, with
their exquisite melody. The price Of these
birds, in the season, ranges from Eve to
fifty dollars, according to the value Of the
bird and the purse Of the buyer.
Socially, too much cannot be said 10 "a
vor Of st. Augustine. At the hotels the
easiest and most friendly relations seem 10
have subsisted between the guests. and
this has extended to the various boarding.
houses. To those of us who have had our
own hired home, the hospitality and kind
ness has been unbounded, aud where
among us there has been either sickness
or sorrow, we have received gentle kind.
liness--so gentle as to be almost tender
ness. ! shall say little Of the religious IN.
tercst, which has been the eliminating
point Of the winters enthusiasm. This
has already been spoken Of in the religious
papers by those better fitted than / am 10
report il. In itself, st. Augustine is an
eminently religious place, though sup
pose my statement viii be read with much
surprise by those who live there. I give
only my impression as stranger.
Now word about expenses. They are
as you please to make them. You can
come from New York here for S31.75 by
steamer, everything found, with seasickness
included, or you can come for S40.75 BY
rail; and find yourself. Most people bring
lunch baskets thus avoiding the necessity
Of buying the poor food at the exorbitant
prices found upon the road. By rail you
must be out four nights. You can bro.
cure sleeping births for 50 night. You
are generally transferred, the cost included
in your cost Of ticket. At the hotels--the
best ones here-the price per day is four
dollars; per week Sl5, with two in room.
For a small room one person may be ac-
commodated at that rate, but generally it
costs $50. There are small houses for 50
and 81 80 day; and there is way very
generally adopted Of taking room out,
and eating at the hotel. Rooms are from
50 tosl0per week; board from $40 to sl2.
At the private boarding houses, whose
number is legion, you board at the first
class for S15, two in room for s28, hardly
any price under this. There are cheaper
houses at less prices, as there are every.
where. Probably the Newport Of the
South does not, in these particulars, differ
very much from tkeNewport of the North.
hiring furnished houses can be done at d
reasonable rate, from $40 to 500 per
month. They are furnished comfortably,
not including table or bed-lineu, or china,
and servants can be obtained for $40 q
month. We have had an excellent wo-
man, whose cheerful, quiet, neat service
puts to the blush many whom we have
employed at the North. l forgot to saw
provisions are cheaper on the whole than
at the North. Meat: any cut, which is
queer enough, for lie. per pound. Fish,
l0c. for enough for dinner; Sc. for break.
fast Venison from 15 to 25c. pound.
Poultry 25c. and yeryp poor Eggs through
the season from 35 to 50c and groceries
very nearly as cheap as at the North.
Take it for all in all, il would be hard
to ind place more charming for winter
residence than st. Augustine. The eli.
mate is--excuse me, but n,usf--is sim
ply perfect. 1t comes literally with heal
ing on its wings to those who have bron,
chial or lung or asthmatic woes. would
most especially recommend il to those with
exhausted nervous system, with worn out
body or mind. There is rest and tonic,
balm and saving in every breath Of its sea.
laden, tropical air. There is new life, new
hope, new courage, waiting for one here,
the fountain Of immortal youth, Ponce Dc
Leon sought, and we wayfarers hathe 10,
with quiet thankfulness.