The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1885-12-17

os.s-v..s.-. A.e.< sAs rssyas.



"a nor,hing" in the weather. Plenty Of sun
shine, but decided leaning towards wIntry con.
ditions find II thoroughly pleasant, however, J
and II every day from now until April should
prove Is bad as the worst have expesienced
since cunning here in September, I would esteem
ii vast improvement on any winter showing
We can make up In our section. leaving out Of
the matter the real cold, and considering only
the dampness and sioppiness. OF course what
we term cold weather Is quite unknown here.
and am little curious TO see. - the season
draws on q pace, il . real n0stv day can be work
ed up out Of the available elements here.
am satis6ed acted wisely in coming South
50 early ~ did. Rest and recreation 10 what
needed. Their full enjoyment at time when
could live out Of doors has effec,uxlly done It's
~ork, and have laid In stock of vigor, and
on a supply of flesh that would keep my old
boues warm, even were laundering around.iu
the Land mud,of the mill yard This winter.
But please excuse me from any such thing.
Since this Southern treatment Is 50 undoubtedly
beneficial, intend 10 test it to the fullest
may walk 10 on you some fine smorninglin. May
next, and mount that long legged spinning
stool In the back Office, but in the meantime my
friend Cobb can furnish me nag much more 10
my fancy. l promise you that NO buzz and
whirr OF machiney shall greet my truant ears for
Constantly since my sojourn here have been
the recipient OF much kind attention and cOur-
teous entertainment at the hands Of some OF the
clever people both of town aud country.
am afraid We must admit that these easy 60
ing Southerners are more generally hOspitabe
than the same class of people in our section Of
world.
shan't admit and don't believe that they are
better hearted or more generous nAtured, but
somehow or other they seem more given 10 cordial
fellowship, arising presume from the greater lei
sure both Of mind aud body that attends the daily
habits of their lives
1t seems scarcely fair TO apply the charge of
idleness to the customary conduct of Southern
men hereabouts, certainly not 10 the sense 10
which we speak Of q mans being idle among US ;
yet IL is utterly amazing to me, that in a COM
munity OF the size and character OF Tallahassee,
so many persons, and those especially who rep
resent the best informed among the citizens,
should apparently have 50 little to do, or per-
haps more properly speaking, have always so
much time at their disposal for conversation or
other polite interchange of courtesies.
There are plenty of active business men here
among the merchants, craftsmen and professional
people, but none seem ever 10 become 80 intent
or occupied with their work as to have no time
to chat and be polite.
The system of tenantry that obtains 80 gener-
ally, making Of almost every landowner q land
lord, rather than an active working farmer, is in
very great measure responsible for the number
OF persons who enjoy such uninterrupted lei
sure.
In my rides about the country have adopted
sort of self Introductory manner of meeting the
farmers, often riding for the first time into a
farm home, accosting the proprietor, occupying
sometimes hours OF his time in easy converse,
and have never yet found one Of tine clever men
too much engaged with work 10 show any disin
clinatiOn to be interrupted
But very frequently on their own motion, they
will suspend occupation, mount their horse and
accompany me over plantation for half day,
out OF pure polteness and disposition to i'm
press one favoraby with the country.
The poky, easy going habits Of the people
here, both among the farmers and few of the
land owning towns folk, at first seemed 10 me
extremely odd, but becoming accustomed TO ii,
and more clearly approaching the causes, be
gan rather TO admire il. Much leisure has made
OF Them reflective people, given to philosophz-
ing, and has borne its fruits in culture of taste
and manners peculiarly charming and quite out
OF the question with the tired, overworked peo-
pie that make up the masses else here in other
than agricultural pursuits.
Very much the same taisser faire enters into
the realm OF housewifery. The supervision and
direction OF negro servants, rather than active
manipulation OF her own, becomes the province
OF The mistress, however modest may be her
husbands circumstances in life. Servants, such
AS they are, seem abundant and cheap, and
many households support a number Of these
questionable helpers that would make a western
woman wonder This is perhaps one of the Sc
crets Of the universal custom of hot suppers pre-
vaing in the South, so sedulOusly avoided by
the Northern house-keeper. who fortifies herself
behind the imperishable cookie. Whatever
causes may be al the bottom oft, can bear wit
ness la the fact that people here, Of all conditions
OF life, are always prepared TO entertain you de-
lightfully, drop in on them when you will. State
occasions with ceremony and display seem OBJ
noxious TO the social genius of the people.
To he stranger in Tallahassee is difficult of
accomplishment within day or two after ones
arrival.
very marked degree of general intel
ligence is observable among both men and wo-
men. l presume all capital towns become more
cosmopolitan than places of like size more Sc
cludedly situated The presence OF the State de-
pariments lends to society, in the persons Of the
incumbents and their families. choice spirits
from other parts Of the State, while the sessions
of the Supreme Court and Legislature induce the
presence here OF broad and liberal minds, who
in the inlerchanges of social life leave their i'm
press.
The city supports very creditable public H.
brary, fairly well supplied with standard works,
together with current periodicals, and / find
well filled shelves of choice bUOks in almost ev
cry household that have visited. Literary So
ceies as well as social clubs of other chara cters
exist among the young people, and tend very
much TO preserve healthiul lone and becoming
dignity in social matters. The thoroughly de-
corous behavior of all classes of persons on the
streets OF Tallahassee is q matter OF very great
surprise. Bar rooms or drinking saloons are
numerous, and most prominently located along
the business avenues, yet during residence Of
nearly two months, have never seen an intOxi.
Gated person ON the streets, or known of the
slightest diss'rdcrly conduct occurring nOtwith-
standing that on Saturdays several thousand ne
grOes from the country are usually in town en-
gagged 10 shopping aud marketing their produce
The Methodist congregation have a very sub
stantial brick meeing-h tasieiully furnished
and equipped with organ, are numerically
strong, and are fortunate just now in having IN
exceptionally intelligent gentleman AS their
preacher.
The Presbyterians also have in their house OF
worship very excellent building, of typical
Presbyterian structure 1t occupies very prom
inent position in the town, and is supported by
q small but earnest congregation.
There is also Baptist congregation who have
a large, well constructed house OF worship.
The Catholics have no church edifice, but
there Is a very elegant Chapel, with resident
Priest, and the number of parishoners is increas-
ing.
The Epscopalians are building what promises
TO be quite an imposing Church when COM
pleed. Ii is already occupied for regular ser
vices.
Tallahassee is specially we'll provided With
private clearinghouse of the most excellent
character They are not of the order OF greasy
lunch and lodging places that country villages
ordinarily support, but are the commodious aud
elegantly appointed old homes of people who
have been accustomed tn the refinen,f.uta and