Morning journal and courier., 1880-03-26

Okf the C0ast of FI0rid8-WatchinSt the
 Antics Os a StylOgrEphic Pen--Ehe
 Gasn5OAing POrpOise--The SSa Gusls
 RIIsscd--Fcrnandina- PlagGes
 --En the Mouth of the St. JOhn's---
 The Sweets of Plantation Life at St.
 NIcholas---UnfOr&Otte Old AcquatH-
 taWces--On the way to Nassau.
 SoREw STEAMER WESTERN TEXAS,
 March 12th, 'S0.)
 To tke Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
 Having had no communication with the si- lent man at tho wheel who holds in his hands our lives upon the sea, we do not know pre- cisely where we are, while we 'sfoat like bub- bles onward" In general terms I can say, however, that cur steamers prov still per sisteutly points to the South, and we are skirting the eastern shore of the Peninsula of Florida, in what Is called sthe Florida Gulf. !" A long sand beach gives to the blue sea fringe of snowy whiteness. Beyond this and between 1t and the sky, Southern Florida IS sandwitched. A low, nsrrow, mountainous belt of green is all that we gee of the wet, wooded and howery land, with it's luscious fruits, beautiful birds and loathsome reptiles. As we approach the latitude of St. Augustine our course bends 50 far to the east that ''the shining shore'' is with more difficulty dis cernad. We almost envy the few long-sighted passengers who seem to see and profess to describe the landmarks which our less gifted eyes fail to discern and we think of the holy sssrs who peer into the invisible world and challenge our doubting faith with stories of spirit realms. A delicate blush, like golden sunset sky, curtains for us with rosy light the vanished land. Floating In and above this radiant air, as far as we can see along the western hem of the bending sky, are soft pearly clouds, most beautifully confgured and colored, in which, if We mistake not, fit the happy and viewless spirits of the air. Around us the sea rolls in gentle ripples Low, soothing sounds come to us as our beautiful ship cleaves the slum- boring waters. The wind-god bzeathes softly upon us from the south. So profound is the calm reposs, all the mighty forces of nature, that at times in these attitudes make them selves felt and feared in the hurricane, seem to have been chloroformed to insure for us a safe and pleasant voyage. None of our pas engsrs are sick. A musing, dreamy spirit rests upon all. Most of the passengers are upon the main deck, sitting upon folding chairs under the awnings. Many muse in silence. Those who converse speak in low tones. Not the slight est excitement is manifested. The repose is profound the rest is perfect. The pulses throb gently, and the gentlest ripples mask the tides of varied thought In indolent re- pose, lulled by the softsst sounds, slightly rocked by the gentle undulations of the slum- bering sea, we pass the happy hours The thermometer registers 80o in the shade, but the heat is far from being oppressive. Your correspondent takes out his stylographic pen, places it upon the white paper, and watches it while it runs.
 The porpoises whose eambols have hereto fore given pleasing variety to our quiet en- ioyments no longer race with our steamer or leap out of the water to challenge our admira- tion, and extort involuntary and loud applause Near the close of day they come to the sur face leaving the deeper and cooler waters as the sun approaches his setting, and like dog before a flying horse they race with our ship. Directly ahead of and close to it's sharp iron prov, with unmistakable evidences of pride and joy, they lead the way, and seem to chal- lenge us to overtake them if we can. It is exceedingly interesting and somewhat exciting to observe them at such times. They ire quently leap bodily out of the water and seem to indulge in a competitive race with each other while testing their locomotive powers with those of the strange man-made monster that has invaded their watery realm. The sport is continued for many Q mile, but like the great golden god of day. they retire to depths we cannot gee, and to realms VIC have no capacity to fully explore.
 was told by an eyewitness in Florida of sanguinary fights between the porpoises and the sharks My lady informant on one occa- sion saw three or four of the former merci- lessIy attack one of the latter at the mouth of the St. Johns, and the contest was continued