Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-02-11

WASHINGTON, d. c., Feb. 10, 1888.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb 10, 1888.
Correspondence Of THE EVENING STAR
two weeks trip to Florida Is pleasant winter
experience. We (my wife and selD left Washing
ton on the 23rd Of January by the vestbule train.
Perhaps 1t may not be Inappropriate to describe
briefly the luxury OF this mode OF travelling. The
train consists OF six cars-three for passengers,
dining-car, smoking-car and baggage-car. The APP
pointments are all elegant, making 1t seem more
like fine hotel in motion than train OF cars,
brilliantly lighted by electric lights and warmed
by steam. The smoking-car is elegantly fitted up
with cushioned arm-chairs, contains a library,
writing tables &c. The train is supplied with
everything necessary for comfort and ease, and
there Is no necessity to leave II during the entire
trip to Jacksonville. contrary to the usual Gus
tom OF tourists who taIry for awhile at Jackson
vile. We, arriving promptly on time, crossed the
ferry, and taking the st. Augustine train arrived
Ia the ancient city IN one and half hours from
the former place, and went Immediately to the
magnificent hotel, Pence de Leon. Judging from
tle exterior view should think it Moorish in
design although 1t may h Spanish, as have seen
similar architectur, in uba. Built OF concrete,
composed OF Coquina ami Portland cement, and
elaborately ornamented with moulded terra
Gotta andwith its tiled roofs, towers and nnaretS,
trees, shrubs and flowers, the effect is very i'm
posing; walk around the enclosure they say is
one mile
INTERIOR OF A FINE HOTEL
Entering by q covered way we assembled to the
main floor and to the rotunda with elaborate
carved columns and floors inlaid with rare tiles.
The grand parlOr about 100 feet In length, Is d.
versified with arches and pillars which aud greatly
here In the frescoing, furnishings and oil paint
fngS. superb onyx tables vases and other works
OF art are tastefully distributed about the vast
room. The dining-rOom is probably the nnest In
the world. 1t Is Il wing connected by an arcade
TO the main building oval In shape and lighted on
all sides as well as from the dome The room Is
m 1nd1v ffva tnryo
columns, and here was noted the clean-shaved
faces Of the German walters, evidently none al
lowed 10 wear moustache or whiskers except the
head waiter and his two assistants, which custom
might well be copied by other establishments.
Three things were noticeable in this hotel-the
entire absence OF mirrors and clocks, except in
wash rooms, and cut flowers although beautiful
vases were waiting TO hold them, and We were In
the land OF flowers.
city will mention sail to North Beach, with its
CoQuina formation, and Anastacia Island, with its
unique hOrSe-cars, the museum, &C. We noted
many nne buildings In process or erection which
shows st. Augustine will grow more and more In
favor as a winter resort with its soft ball?y air
and refreshing sea breeze. The Old cathedral,
burned last season. Is being rebuilt on "a larger
scale, with its unique front and old Spanish bells
stu preserved. Or course the Old San Marco Fort
Is always OF special interest TO strangers.
ON TO PALATKA.
After a sojOurn here OF three days we passed on
to Palatka and the Putnam Hotel, where the
genial host Barron, the proprietor OF four of the
principal hotels In the White Mountains, meets
all guests with o welcome at the door. We were
struck with the air OF comfort on entering.
bright wood fire was burning in the fireplace,
easy chairs ready for tired Travellers and the walls
looked bright and CHEEKY, with decorations OF au-
tumn leaves, ferns aud evergreenS from the White
Mountain region, put up with taste in parlOrs,
halls and dintDg-rOOm.
AS we had years before enjoyed two trips up the
Ocklawaha, we "nntented ourselves with q visit to
MIR. Harris fine orange grove across the st. Johns,
and then sought for new and unexpored fields to
US taking the railroad recently opened 70 Daytona
on the Halifax River This region, like the Indian
River, Is noted for 1t fine oranges Daytona is
pleasantly situated on the banks OF the Halifax
River, shallow and sluggish stream, about three
fOurths OF mile wide, and only separated from
the ocean by narrow peninsula Crossing this
you come to one OF the f1nest beaches have ever
seen, hard and smooth you can drive over 1t for
30 miles. Al Ormond, few miles above is a new
hotel, with all modern conveniences, located on
the peninsula, where one can enjoy the view OF
Old ocean, with the surf rolling In on one side and
the river on the other. A steamer runs from here
at uncertain intervals down the river, connecting
with Indian River by means OF q canal and so ~
T1tusville and Rock Ledge.
A BIG FISH STORY.
Some Canadian capitalists have recently pur-
chased the charter OF a company for opening In
land water communication from st. Augustine
some 800 miles south, which when completed will
afford cheap transportation for produce ana open
a region rich with tropical fruits which has been
but little known. From here we went by rail 10
Enterprise and on the rear OF the train found the
elegant private car OF Mrs. Pullman with her large
party and servants travelling through Florida for
pleasure. The Brock House at Enterprise is pleas
antiy located In the midst OF orange groves the
east shore OF Lake George and Is the headquarters
for hunting and fishing IN this region. Here we
met ex-Alderman Herman, Of New York, who has
been coming many winters for a long stay and TO
enjoy fishing. He keeps record OF his catches.
Last season he caught with the hook about 81 ton
OF bass About Is miles from here Is the elegant
place OF Mr.. Frederic DE Barry, an acquaintance OF
many years standing, and who extended to us a
royal welcome and generous hospitality. Mr..
De Barry commenced improvements here eighteen
years ago and now has undoubtedly the finest
orange groves In the state. His place is
miles square. commanding fine view
from the palatial mansion, where It is his
great pleasure to entertain his friends with
unbOunded hospitality. Hon. Simon Cameron is
frequently his guest and Jay Gould has Dathed In
his luxurious pool OF sulphur water. He has
shipped 900 boxes OF oranges this year. and says
but for the rrosts IT would have been 5000.
BOMEwAKD BOUND.
After two days tarry here we turned our faces
homeward, stopping en- route at Green Cove
Springs to enjoy the sulphur bathing and the COM
forts OF the Clarendon Hotel, then on to Jackson
vile, where We remained one day to do up the
Sub-Tropical Exposition, which Is certainly fine
exhibit and Most crediJable TO Florida. Indeed IL
a building. Here we md growing in full Ir1lt
pineappleS, cOcoanuts, guaya, orange and lemon
trees, anu the various counties send In large dis
play Of oranges mangarines, grape fruit, &C. The
including cotton and sugar-cane. A space has
been allotted for the industries OF the cOOred peo-
pie, which Is well flied and does them great
credit, both In products OF the soil and haldi-
work. w.
Crosses, Stars, and Carriers.
The February Century contains Ernst Won Hesse-
ryh