The Portland daily press., 1885-03-07
HE WENT t. A TEXAS SKATING Rim
Letter From South Caro,ir,
Columbia as Health Esesorl-Portaud
Peoples Beautiful Cfty-Edmeasio,.I
Progression in the Palmetto Stale.
Correspondence of the Press,

COLUMBIA, S. O., March 2, 1885,
IL is not presumed that residence of FIVE
wef KS IN this pleasant city has prepared me
TO speak oracularly, either of its climatic pe-
culiarlties, or social characteristics. may.
however, without presumption give the dailv
readers OF the PRESS, among whom have
SO many friends, the benefit of some impress
sions received of the place and its people.
Forced as was to leave my home in mid
winter for the recovery of my health, and d.
recled by my physician to the capital OF the
Palmetto State, my first concern was abon,
its Climate. Northern people who have new
or visited the South have certain general
notions rtspe ctirg its climate which are
seldom fully realized. 1t is not the land of
perpetual sunshine and ever blooming flow
ers. Winter feigns here as well as else
where, though she Yields far milder scep-
tire. l was disappointed in not finding
warmer weather. hoped to find winter
fires extinguished. and the windows open to
the sunshine. Instead f this discovered
that generous wood pile is as essential to
household comfort here as in New England,
For week at time the mercury has stub
bornly refused to rise above 400 in February.
But all assure us that this February has
been an entirely exceptional month, as far
as weather is concerned, and that the pres
ent winter has had no parallel in its severity
for many years past. Last year at this time
the peach trees were in blossom; now, not
bud started. But do not infer from this that
we are disappointed in Columbia as health
resort in winter. Far frori it'll While our
Portland friends have been holding on to
their ears to keep them from freezing, with
the mercury hoveripg about zero, we have
sported in the pleasant sunshine and balmy
air of many Junc-like days. The mercury has
had its range 1T is true, from $50 10 100, but
still the prevailing temperature has permit
ted Us 70 walk the beautiful streets of
Colupoia, almost every day with comfort.
The air possesses an indescribable softness
sdd dryness. There is nothing like our
piercing east winds or the frosty breath O
our northern blasts. Invalids with weak
lungs, or bronchial affections who hardly
dare venture forth on an average winters
day in Maine, are surprised at the amount
OF exercise they can take without discom-
fort or weakness in this delightful climate
Of course it rains here sometimes, and DAYS
together, but few hours of sunshine are
sufficient to dry up the mud and harden the
sidewalks. Indeed, mud is a commodity sell
dom seen in this city. Rvbbers never wear
out, and concrete 81 dewalks are a superflu-
GUS invention. The soil is remarkably por-
Gus being composed of white sand and red |
clay which soon drinks up all surface water.
For this same reason the drainage of Column |
bia is excellent.
There are many people from the north and |
west spending the winter in this city, for |
their health. Among them Portland is well |
represented, Capt. Charles Merrill and his |
wife, Mrs. NJ. Fl. Williams and her two I
daughters A lice and Mary, with your cor
and his wife, all of Portland, are |
The guests Of DR.. A. L. Gaubert, also a |
Portland gentleman, and for several years
phys ician in Mechanic Falls, Me. DR.. G.. |
has resided in this city one year. and has
established himself in his profession, giving 1
special attention to diseases of the eye and |
ear. He came here after vainy seeking |
through the West and the South, locality |
where be could regain bis health and pursue |
his calling He is himself the best evidence |
Of this salubrious climate. Mrs. Bragdon of |
Portland, sister of Mrs. Dr. Bolles of Salem,
Ma S., is also spending the winter in this
city. daily meet other northern people,
walking these streets, and they all bear
similar testimony to the beneficial effects of
his Columbian air. Thesituation of the city |
IS very favorable to health. 1t is elevated /
TWO HUNDRED feet above the bed of the Con-
garee river, and less than one mile distant
rom that stream, from which its water
supply is obtained, when the abundant
springs IN the city's park fail to be Sufficient
Ihe city is also entirely surrounded by |
tense forests OF pine. from which the atmos-
ohere receives its health giving ozone. A
prominent clergyman of the Presbyterian
church, told me the other that Columbia is
superior even to the more noted Aiken of
ibis state as an attractive and desirable
Others who have visited both
places express the same opinion.
The peculiar beauty of Columbia will |
hardly be seen at tue first glance. 1t city
hat grows and improves upon acquaintance.
Il contains about 1900 Inhabitants. and |
las The general appearance of an overgrown
village, Its broad and we'll shaded streets
are straight as an arroH. Some of them
three rows of stately trees the
bird row dividing the avenue in the middle,
making a broad driveway on either side. The
sidewalks are ample and very comfortable 10
pedestrians. Most of the dwellings have
spacious grounds, filed with shrubs and
trees. Among the latter is often seen the
beautiful Magnolia, which is now putting
forth its BUDS. Some of the more imposing
private residents occupy each an entire
square of the city--CoIumbia is laid out in
regular squares of four acres each. The
most famous mansion of the city is known
as the Preston Place. 1t was the home of