Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1888-04-27

wall. This is now sometimes used as a
ID IL room, and more romantic spot could
not be chosen-there on the top of the old
Fort, overlooking the beautiful bay-th e
starry heavens the only roof, and the only
light that of full Southern moon. Below
are the dungeons on whose dank walls the
Indians in their imprisonment traced iu-
Vulnerable hieroglyphics. or scenes of
bloody battles. The "Old Sea Wall" is
also point of interest, it extends from the
fort to the barracks, and is built of stone
1t is perfectly level on top, and two abreast
can walk with ease on it. 1t is one of the
principal promenades, and commands fine
view of bay and sea. Last year when the
old Spanish Cathedral was burnt. st. Au-
gustine suffered great loss, as, it was one
of the prettiest and most ancient buildings
in the place. But the constant flow of
travellers to st. Augustine this season is
not, think, due SO much to the antique
quaintness Of the town, as to the more
modern and far-famed So 500, 900 Hotel.
"THE PONCE DE LEON"
as everyone knows, is Thought to be
the handsomest hotel in The world.
I am afraid to attempt to de-
scribe the building, its courts, its fur
nishings, and the pleasure grounds and
halls belonging to, and surrounding it.
Ornamental fountains, flower stands pal
mettoes. ferns, &C., meet you at every turn;
everything is complete with the exception
of the Hanging Gardens, which will be in a
short time. There are servants stationed
all over the hotel, whose business it is solely
to take care that no one handles or disturbs
anything. The bell men dress in a navy
blue uniform with brass buttons, AID are
al u,o VIC rao6v fo chow vicitorc ovar tho botal
They evidently think the Ponce" is the
only hotel in the world, and until you have
been there you have seen no hing worth
seeing, and that you will believe anything
they may choose to tell you in connection
with the great hotel, no matter how Won
derful it may be. A bright mulatto boy
was sho wing our pa rty around and as
everything had been duly admired and
commented upon, he seemed to be in very
good humor, and, I suppose, thought to
give us an unprecedented treat, SO he con-
Quoted US to an elevator. When I asked
where he was going to take us, he grinned
very broadly and good naturally, as with a
flourish, he touched the bell and announe-
ed, Pm jess gwine to give you a little
ride, Miss" I have no doubt he thought it
was rare treat to all of our party. The
servants all pronounce--can't shan't, bath
and calm, with broad G-and have the
cost of all the great paintings and the diff
ferent articles Of furniture and the names
of the artists, on their tongues end. The
doorkeepers, all dress in the style of George
Washington, with knee-pants and big
buckles on their shoes. The walters are all
white, and for dinner, which is served at 6
O'Clock, they all wear the regular full dress
suit. Dainty table linen, and handsome sill
yer and delicately painted china is used on
the tables, and everything wears an air of
elegance and splendor unsurpassed any,
where.
THE PINK SUITE.
Of course some of the apartments
are handsomer than others, but I will try
and describe one of the handsomest suites,
known as the ''pink chamber" 1t is on the
first floor, and consist of boudoir aud
sleeping apartment, which open on one side
on the beautiful inner court; on the other
side is a lovely view of the orange groves,
which are on the western side OF the hote'.
There is bathroom adjoining. The rooms
are furnished luxuriously.
The prevailing color of furniture, car
pets, curtains, &c, is delicate shade
of pink. Handsome Administer carpets,
soft as down, cover the fl ,ors, and cabi
exquisite brie-a-brtc and china, and the
thing about the fire place is of the hand
soonest. lncandescent electric lights,
which shine from prismatlc candelabra
light the rooms, and rare aud beautiful
paintings hang on the walls of the bou-
doir.
The whole of the lower hotel
floor comprising parlors. reading
rooms. writing rooms. and libraries
is all thrown open, there beng no
doors, only archways and heavy. handsome
curtains to mark the division. To walk
through these rooms when the thousand
electric lights are glowing. illuminating
and bringing out in strong contrast all the
beautiful coiorings of the ornaments and
furnishings one might lose themselves II
few moments. and without any effort
imagine that some fairy had waved her
magic wand aud that you were wandering
amidst palaces of ''realms unknown"
The Alcazar is the building adjoining
the Ponce de Leon, and belonging to it 1t
is not complete yet, but will be open dur
ing the summer when the great hotel is
closed. 1t is very handsome structure.
the lower rooms being used as shaving
saloons and all kinds of stores for the &C.
commodation of the hotel guests. TIE
upper rooms are used as sleeping apart
ments when the Ponce is crowded
THE CASA MONICA
is another beautiful otel, almost opposite
the Ponce de Leon, but having no connection
with it whatever. and if one would first visit
it before seeing the Ponce, they would give
it its dues 1t is built of handsome stone.
! and is of Spanish architecture. Some of
the rooms represent prison cells, with their
narrow and iron-barred windows, only, of
course, they are large and handsomely fur
nished. 1t has two large towers, a round
and a square one; from one the Spanish
flag waves and from the other the Ameri-
can. Outside of all the windows are little
balconies, called ''kneeling balconies" SO
called because they were first made SO that
the loyal might kneel in them when the
king passed. The windows now are filed
with flowers and give the immense build
ing the appearance of being adorned with
multitude of small flower gardens on every
side. Some one in speaking of the Casa
Monica during the Presidents visit said
sit was superb illustration of Seville
en- Jste." st. Augustine, like most of her
sister cities, has innumerable fine hotels
the San Marco. the Magnolia, and the
Florida House, being among the incest in
the city. Altogether the Ancient City,
is most attractive and interesting place.
M.