National Republican., 1886-03-20
DE FUN1AK SPRINGS, FLA.
An Interesting Sketch OF the Home of
the Chautauqua-A Rapidly Growing
Settlement.

the Chautauqua-A Rapidly Growing
Settlement.
DE FUNIAK, SPRINGS, FLA, March o.
After charming ride Of forty hours over
the Piedmont Air Line and It's connections,
enjoying TO the fullest extent the luxury OF
It's cozy cars, smooth road bed, aud the
magnificent scenery through which we were
swiftly carried, we reached this now quito
famous winter resort.
Midway between New Orleans and jack
sonville, on the ridge Of land running east
and west for q distance OF GO or 40 miles,
and about 75 miles northeast OF Pensacola
in depths Of the pine forests, is the beauti-
full site OF the Florida Chautauqua. The
grand old pines are here tall and straight.
The winter sun makes brilliant their long
green leaves; the balmy odor exhaled from
every tree fills the air with healing, health
giving influence. And the tree tops night
and day are walked to music by the ever
passing breeze. De Funiak Springs are
located In Walton county, western Florida,
midway between Tallahassee and Pensa-
cola, on the p. and A. Il. II. The soil OF this
locality is open, sandy, porous loan, so
rain as IL may, mud is an unknown guam
tity. The altitude OF the location, 275
feet above the Gulf Of Mexico, which is
distant but 20 miles as the bee 1ies, Its free
dom from malaria, the purity Of Its water,
and the rolling character Of It's ground,
together with the abundant shade furnished
by the pine, live oak, magnolia, and other
Florida forest trees, make 1t most desira-
BILE place for winter encampment. The
grounds OF the assembly associations sur
round a mammoth spring, just one mile In
circumference, and as near perfect circle
as can well be. The water is pure and cold,
and Of an average depth Of go feet; from
edge Of basin distant about 250 feet. The
gentle slope between the crest Of the hill
and the margin Of the spring has been laid
out In beautiful park, with o wide drive
and promenade surrounding It. Within this
park all the public buildings of the assem-
bly, as well as the churches Of the village
are located. The Tabernacle has q seating
capacity of $500, while the acoustic prop
critics OF the building are excellent. II is
and oratory touch the mind and intellect,
and where sermons from eminent divines
bring the soul nearer its creator. The as
sembly provides for recreation-the recrea-
tion Of constant change and variety-lec-
lures and professions, concerts, camp fires,
and class work; the freedom Of the forest
and the eagerness and earnestness Of the
SCHOOL, the recreation which results from
breaking into the routine OF life. The spe-
| cial departments Of the assembly are In the
hands Of teachers who are thoroughly COM
| petent to do the work to which they are
| assigned, and patrons may be sure OF salts.
faction. The Florida Chautauqua, with It's
schools and other enterprises, is not AT
affair Of day; 1t is to be permanent, and
to exercise its influence upon the portion o.
the country where It is located, and also OF
the country at large. There is room TO
thousands. Many busy hands have been a
work, and more than hundred cottages
have been erected within the past slS
and the smoke from three factories can bt
seen from the grounds, while stores are sc
numerous that supplies Of all kinds can bt
procured in any needed quantity. Soon d.
Funiak Springs will be the livellest town IL
Florida, and music, song, and laughter will
echo throughout Its pines for many years Il
| come. l.. def. |.