Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-03-15

Correspondence Atlanta Constitution.
Florida has q live duke and a still liver
duchess. About 80 miles above Rock ledge. on
Indian river, is situated the famous Dummet
orange grove. The simple country people liv-
ing about there were somewhat mvstifed, but
not whit abashed a short time ago by hearing
that an Italian duke had bought the grove and
was coming to Florida to take up his residence.
In due time he came-the duke Of Castelluccia
and his American duchess. He is hurley sold
ierly fellow, good-loOking and easy-mannered.
but very much afraid that somebody will
swindie the duke or hurt the duchess He
came to New York short time ago and mar
ried a Brooklyn lady of great wealth. 1t is said
that she bought his title, but this is not true.
He inherited his title and her money simply
enabled him to properly support it. He livesin
fine style in New York, and has one Of the finest
places in Florida. 1t was sold to Mr.. Schuyler
of New Jersey. a few years ago, for $4,000.
pay pretty income on this sum. and the duke
is not fixing it up with the lavishness that might
be expected from an Italian nObeman, The
duchess is large, fair-looking lady. very fond
of the duke. and, altogether, expect they are
as happy as common people. He s a great
| sailor, and had fine yacht built but disagreed
with the builder and refused to take it. The
| neighbors do not like the distinguished pair
claiming that they are stingy and proud; but I
suspect their greatest crime consists in being
noble folks.
The finest country residence in Florida is that
of French count, Frederick de Barry. This
gentleman is best known to the public as the
American agent for Mumm's champagne, from
which he derives princely revenue.
The Count de Barry became interested. i'm
Florida about 10 years ago. He had daughter
of Is years of age that he thought was dying Of
consumption, and he sought a softer cline that
her last days might be made more peaceful. To
his surprise she rapidly recovered her health,
Ia ha il, hn
Prussian army.
Count de Barry bought two places near Enter
prise. One of them he determined to make his
home He built house that cost over $50 900
under the first contract. 1t is supplied with
wine cellars, billiard-rooms. gas, water. and is
furnished in the richest style. Back of the
house is beautiful artificial lake. and the
grounds are handsomely decorated with foun-
talns. avenues and flowers. The main feature
however, is the grove. 1t is simply ideal. Five
are set out with the utmost precision and fer
tilted into perfection. The grove is kept as
neat as parlor. and each tree is carefully clip
ped and attended. THERE'S not piece of stick,
and scarcely leaf to be found anywhere on the
ground and this grove stretches over nearly
100 acres. competent traveller who had spent
five years on the Mediterranean told me it was
the finest grove he had ever seen. The house
and grounds cost over $3.50 600, and make a
magnificent country seat. Nearly so people are
employed about the place cooks. grOOmS.
sailors. gardeners, pOrters, etc. The count dis
penses here princey hospitality. He is about
20 years old, and is fond of sampling the wines
he deals in. His son. a cool and shrewd man of
35, has charge of the enormous BUSINESS in New
York. This embraces. beside the wine and
water trade, an immense cigar factory in New
York and another at Key West.
Besides all this the count has done great
deal for the development OF Florida. He now
owns the five finest steamboats, Oh the st. Johns,
making daily trips from Jacksonville to Sanford.
The De Barry, built last year at cost of S75. 900.
is the best boat ever put on the river. The
count is strong believer in Florida and spends
his winters here. He has fins0Dats, good wines,
balDy airs sunshine and friends, a fine grove
and good cook in his winter home, and what
more can a man of 20 want that this earth can
furnish.
Mr. AstOr the New York millionaire. has been
an enthusiast on Florida for years, but has in
vested very little money in orange groves. He
has spent about $500, 900 in city improvements
in Jacksonville, and has bought controlling
interest in the queer little railroad that runs
from Tocoi to St. Augustine He has purchased
two land grants at small figures. and they are
not worth any more than he paid. The town of
AstOr that bears his name. is simply ware
house and depot. named for him because he gave
the railroad company the land on which it is To-
Gated. Mr.. Aston is in Florida this winter but
comes without his yacht. and only for short
time. a few years ago he used to spend most
of his winters here and was lavish with his
money. He has now given it up almost en-
tirefv