The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1886-01-14
CORRESPONDENCE.


~ Oar florida taTwopVsdeNdf
riersda Ola asA Nov.
Enron JounAL:
Florida 10 no new country in the sense
81 discovery: in this light 1t is one OF the
Oldest Of our Union. The whites made
some OF their frat entrances and occups-
tons Of this country. in What il nov the
state OF Florida But for many years com
nothing Was done towards its
general settlement and improvement
People who entered the state made but .
partial exploration Of its territory. con-
fined mostly TO the vicinity Of the ocean
and gull shores. and in the ascent and de-
scent OF its principal rivers. The more
interior and elevated districts Of the state
we're quite unsought for or. ignored, and
thus, for q bali century or more, but
little was accomplished towards the gen.
erai settlement and improvement OF the
domain OF the territory and state. 10 one
sense, there are two Floridas, the High
lands and the Lovlands; the one well
dry and healthy, well watered BY
streams and lakes Of pure water, the other,
more or less damp. low and msrshy. and
unhealthy. In former times most OF the
explorations in this country, in It's interior
part, were along the banks OF the rivers,
by tourists and visitors, aud in this way
uniavorable impressions we're made Is 10
the desireableness Of the country for set
Element and agricultural purposes. But
10 quite recent times, the locomotive and
railroad have penetrated the interior and
more elevated regions Of the state, and in.
stead OF swamps, marshes, lagoons and
everglades, the supposed actual or 81
abode Of crocodiles, slligators or venemoui
snakes and reptiles. there have been
opened up the more elevated lands, poss-
essing exceedingly attractive features,
freedom from all maiarisl influences and
perfectly pure and agreeable atmosphere
and . climate and temperature as lovely
and desirable as the most delicate and
health seeking invalid could desire. 30
as l before said, there are two Floridss
the one unattractiye to large degree, thu
other wonderfully attractive and beautiful
the former is old Florida, the latter new
Florida. In this better and more attrac-
tive portion Of the state is situated Winter
Park, our present place Of abode. And Al
much as have already written regarding
the sttractiveness Of our surroundings,
cannot we'll avoid further reference to it
The air seems wondrously pure, and th'
atmosphere clear. The nights are partic.
ularly attractive. by star and moonlight
seemingly excelling those Of the north
Very many speak Of this, so l am not ex
elusive 10 this opinion. The beautifu
lakes in our immediate vicinity are Otter
the resort OF parties Of people, both ole
and young, in day or night, for the pur-
pose OF row or sail upon the water. TIT
evening sails are most enjoyable | assure
YOU. Tho lakss ass beautiful nj them.
selves, so smooth and placid. The sur
rounding scenery is delightful to behold
the tall pines upon the edge or shores Q
the lakes, with the moss suspended iron
every twig and branch, the fruitful orang
trees aud the beautiful magnolia trees
making the scene more delightful to tn
eye and senses than any work OF art
Nature as an artist far.excell the hand 0
man, however def and practiced. Lovel.
little cottages repose upon the banks Q
the lakes, which at night, with thei
bright and glimmering lights, render til
scene still more lovely and picturesque
Winter Park is most beautifully situated
quite surrounded by lakes. From the to-
of the hotel and college buildings, ther
are within sight seven OF these mos
charming bodies Of water These lake
are winding or tortuous IN form, VII
narrow channels connecting or leadin
from one to another just wide enoug
for our boat 10 pass through, and in lengt
some hundreds Of feet. These narro'
passages afford tho novices at boating . fin
opportunity to learn to paddle their ow
canoe" The branches OF the trees, upo
either shore Of these passageways WI
touch you, as you move between then
The residents, many Of them, are the owl
ere OF boats, and the ladies OF the familis
without the aid Of their gentlemen frieno
or protectors. are often upon the lakes
their boats. seemingly to their great EMO.
ment, as well as to the promotion OF healt
and strength. Many Of the "calls' upo
friends and neighbors by the ladies 81
made in these boats, ss almost every famil
have their abode on or near the lake shore
The cottage, which we are ct the preser
time occupying, is most pleasantly situ
ated on Lake OsceolA This 10 the Ban
Of one Of the great chiefs Of the Semino
tribe Of Indians. He il was who gave OF
government, some FIFTY years ago, muc
trouble in . war wsged BY bis tribe wit
the whites in Florida, and known in u
history Of our oountry1as the 'Semino
War" This war vas Of some years DUR
ton. The Seminoles, fierce and wariii
Indian race, we're not disposed to yield y
their lands to the encroschments Of u
whites wishous'a struggle, and it prove
"Iife and death struggl' too. They 81
held these lands ~ their own Tor geper'
tons, and these we're the best lsnds 10 q
state. They fought for their homes =
"their hunting grounds. and had no dl'
position TO hand them over 10 the Whit
for cultivation and use. But - usual
the history OF this race. the lndisns We
Obliged TO succumb; and their "hunt'r
grounds" and homes we're taken from the
and they. Is tribal organization were
moved 10 the west Of the Mississ'pr
thaty ATM