The Portland daily press., 1885-12-19

throngs of strangers from all parts OF the
world: Scotchmen bound to the new colo
MES in the interior, gangs OF Italian labor
ers. Canadian and English sportsmen, inva-
lids from the North and West, pleasure seek
ers. SPECTATORS and contractors; here, too,
are sporting men and gamblers from New
York and Chicago elbowing Maine farmers
who have come South to look after their
orange grove investments; and today rec
ognise the features of well-known "banco"
man, the first arrival; he was faultlessly
attired and had the same unmistakable air
of gentleman which attaches to all of his
craft. On every hand is seen something
novel and interesting to New Englander
and some evidence that the great tide of win
ter through Florida has begun.
This city is the centre of trade and travel.
If the invalid or tourist is bound up the river
or to the west coast, he stops here few days
at least for rest or recreation; the investor
finds here the headquarters of all the large
land companies; here are the officers OF the
leading railroads; the transportation compa-
MES employ great army of men in handling
pine lumber destined for Northern markets;
and here daily for the next two months will
be packed and shipped thousands of boxes OF
oranges, the product of groves in every part
of the State. 1t is city of immense hotels.
There must be twenty-five or thirty public
houses, all more or less pretentious, but
fully half of them great caravanseries, the
winter homes of Northern pleasure-seekers,
who turn jacksonville for the nonce into
Newport or Saratoga. Last week the "Carle-
ton" aud the "St James" threw open their
doors. From the broad verandas OF the
latter picturesque scene greets the eye.
Opposite is the Park, its shell walks shaded
by orange and banana trees and bordered
with hxuriant tropical plants Here and
there fountains send up showers of spray,
which are turned into rainbows in the warm
sunlight. Black nurse maids, with snowy
white caps propel hither and thither'elegant
baby turnouts, and, finding no colored police
men, bestow irresistible grins upon each
passing Eli or Caesar Flower vendors and
newsboys skirt the walks on the hotel side
and, in company with the ever present
"gamin," indulge in "scrambles' for the
nickels and pennies thrown by the guests
from the verandas; and amid it all the band
comes Oub anu UcSluo phO hAVAAAA-S S0AAN~~"
In the evening electric lights lend an added
beauty to the scene.
The seasons social gaieties were inaugur-
ated last Monday with 'Mikado" hop In
the parlors of the "Duval;" each lady was
presented with Japanese fan bearing an
appropriate souvenir inscription. no Ko
and Yum Yum were there, and the music OF
the bewitching opera made the dancing I'M
usually attractive. After Christmas, when
the "Windsor' opens and the Everett,
with its immense extension, is ready Tor
guests the grand balls and receptions will be-
gin. Then everybody must make Pilgrim
age to the ancient city of ST. Augustine or
view the picturesque scenery Of the st. Johns
bv night, when the electric lights on the bows
of the steamers attract the alligators to the
banks and throw weird beauty over the
rank, tropical foliage.
cannot close without some allusion to
the Jacksonville Club. 1t is one OF the In
situations of the city; its membership In
cludes only men of business or social stand
ing. who courteously extend the hospltaltles
Of the club to their friends in town. The
spacious house on Adams street is one OF the
most attractive in Jacksonville, and being
centrally located is convenient place at
which to ''drop i'm hence its parlors are
nightly scene of lively chat and quiet en-
iovnent. PAPYRUs
vounp lady asked John Ruskin's Opin-