The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-06-05
Our @liu.
English View Of Florida.

Jcean ana the duif OF Mexico, and whose
outhern termination reaches almost 10 !
he tropics. Though having an area Of
iity-nlne thousand two hundred and sixty I
light square miles, its surface Is almost an
lndulating prairie throughout, its highest
point being scarcely more than three hun
ired feet above the level Of the sea. Il is
covered with dense forests Of palms, oak,
palmettos, pines and other trees, and with
tropical and semitropical fruits and how-
ers; tine rivers traverse It in every direction;
aud 1t Is dotted With hugo medicinal springs
and with the most beautiful lakes the mind
can conceive, some of them being perfect
ly enchanting in their loveliness. The
latter are sprinkled over with Islands that
are SO heavily clad with groves Of the
orange, lemon, citron, pomegranate, and
other kindred fruits, as to seem tropical
gardens; and they are rendered unusually
Interesting by the numberless birds of bril-.
liant plumage that fit through the trees,
the thousands Of swans, geese, ducks, |
fiamingoes, cranes and herons that make |
them their winter home, and the numer-
ous game animals that frequent them at
all times. The climate Of Florida il one
Of the finest in the world, for, though ten
degrees nearer the equator than Southern
Italy, the temperature is not any warmer,
and the air is far more dry, equable, aud
salubrious. The mean temperature from
November to April varies from ffty-two
to seyenty.three degrees; but the average
may be placed at sixty-one degrees. The
difference between the winter and summer
climate throughout the State is about
twenty degrees; but in some portions,
such as the south and south eastern, the
only appreciable difference 10 the temper
ature is in tie greater copiousness Of the
summer showers. This renders il an un.
rivalled resort for those suffering from
pulmonary complaints; for, according TO
the statistics Of 1870, fewer people died
of consumption there than any other
State in the Union, aud those who sue
cumbed To the disease were, in nearly all
cases, inyalids from other sections of the
country. Many persons suffering from
that dire complaint visit the State to get
cured; for not only is its climate genial,
but it Is supposed that the delicious tere.
binthine odors Of the pine forests purify
the atmosphere, aud give it soothing,
healing, and invigoraii0g quality.
Those who wish to escape the rigors of
a northern winter fee to il as early as De-
cember; and, as large numbers OF them are
in excellent health, and 60 south, like the
birds, only for the purpose Of following
the sun, they make the towns along the
banks of the st. Johns River scenes Of
buogant pleasure for four or Eve months,
and one may there see American social
life in all its freedom aud gayety. The
largest, most important, and the gaycst
city in the State is Jacksonville, which il
perched on bauk Of the st. Johns River
few miles from its mouth. This wealthy
metropolis, which boasts a population d
sixteen thousand, is surrounded BY de
lightful scenery, by dense and vast forests
in which the oak and cypress compel,
with the myrtle, palm and palmetto fol
supremacy, and by groves Of orange anG
lemon trees; while the streets seem lik,
sections Of hot house, so numerous ane
varied are the southern fruits, flowers ant
arboreal beauties that adorn them. Tn,
most prominent objects to the tourist ar,
the large number Of white saloon steam
boats that line the wharyes or course ut
and dowa the river, aud the splendid
hotels that occupy the principal thorough
fares, The latter in many cases are pala
tial structures, and are furnished with al
the lavish luxuriance that cliaraeterize
these institutions in the United States
Their bills Of fare may be understood from
the fact that | counted eighteen diferen
dishes for breakfast 10 one menu, and for
ty-two for dinner; and in all instance
these embraced from two to six pieces O
game, and from three to fve species O
hsh, while every variety of fruit grown il
the United States was marked on them
Yet these magnificent hostelries chargeS
only from ten shillings to pound per da,
for everything; and pianos, parlors, draw
ing.rooms, and other privileged appeudage
In England were open to all The cosmo
politan character of the people which on
meets in them; the ease, iniormality. an,
bonhomie Of American society in general
and the desire Of all to aid each other il
killing time pleasantly, make long tarr
at them a round Of pleasure; for hop
balls, concerts, and kindred amusement
are INDUCED in to a very large extenI
Enaai, should, therefore, not be know
during the evening; and during the da
there are so many opportunities for fishing
boating, yachting, riding and shooting
that the person who cannot hnd a mean
OF recreation must indeed be hard /
please. Life thers Is conbination Q
that TO be found in Nice, Naples, Brigh
ton, Scarborough and Saratoga during IN
season. hence one may readily under
stand that il is anything bat dull Board
ing houses seem TO be mnipresent, an
for their pretentions they are quite chear
the usual charges being from two to fou
pounds per week. The favorite drive i
the vicinity Of the city is that which lead
TO Monerief's Springs, four miles distanI
where there Is mineral spring who's
waters are said to cure malarial diseases
Bath-houses, a restaurant, bowling alley
dancing pavilion, aud the inevitable ac
compartments Of an American fashionabl
resort, a racecourse, may be found there
Leaving jacksonville by one Of the hand
some steamboats, that plies on the river,
run Of eighteen miles carries the tourist 4
Mandarin, which has local fame Of beinI
the winter residence Of the famous autho
rcss of "Uncle Toms Cabin, Mrs. Har
riet Beccher Stowe. This charming ham
let is almost buried 10 orange groves an,
moss-coyered oaks, 50 that one sees littl
Of it. A few miles south of this lie
Green Cove Springs, small town whicl
Is celebrated for It's medicinal waters, an,
whose hue has given the place its name
| This Is crowded during the winter BY in
valids and tsaaeaFs, who come to drink il
waters. The spring discharges three thou
sand gallons per minute, and forms a,
emerald lake, which Is embowered 10 |
grove Of gigantic water oaks, that ar.
almost literally covered with long fesloon
Of moss and mistletoe. The water ha
temperature of seyenty-eight degree
Fahrenheit; and as it contains sulphate,
Of magnesia and lime, ehloridea of sodium