The Florida agriculturist., 1889-12-25

ley beneath. This was obviously done
for defensive purposes, probably against
the Saracens who were very trouble some
here in past centuries. The streets were
so narrow that / touched the houses
easily on both sides standing in middle,
and they are Just like rabbit warrens,
arched all over for strength, and the
house doors lead right out on the streets.
We wanted some lunch, so | got hold of
an Italian bricklayer, one of five inhabi-
tants we saw during the hO1r we were
there, the rest being no doubt busy in
the vineyards, who took us up to his top
story, up four flights of steep stone steps,
pitch dark, and ushered us out into a
| rough open toggia, Overhanging the val
| lev, hundreds of feet sheer below. and
commanding glorious view of the
| Mediterranean and che mountains all
around. Here he made us welcome to
bread and native wine. They never have
meat, milk or anything of that sort from
months end to months end. Here,
with their church and their padre and
! their native wine, and last bnt not least,
their garlick, they live as happy as
kings. EDWARD HURRY"
| *.*
The people of DeLand and in fact all
others who have been here know tEat
there is no better place to live in the
South, still, it does us good to occasion
ally have outside opinion, the opinion of
| those who do not live here and who have
no especial interest in the town. Mr..
I. L. Stockton, business manager of the
| Times y nion, was in town on business
last week, and in letter says:
"This being my first visit to the cap
ital of Volusia, you can imagine my de-
light. Even at night the development
of this new town can be seen and appre-
ciated with startling effect. 1t seems to
be the fashion nowadays to follow the
example of the Indian-not to be sur
prised at anything, but sometimes an
impulsive nature "gets off his base" and
then the truth comes out. The first i'm
preston person obtains of this city
amongst the orange groves is pleasant
short stay will always be bright in the
mind of your imam on the wing"
DeLand is the adopted hcme of many
good people from many sections of this
great country, and taking them all to-
gether, they are invincible, and the word
= = -:A-v> =. .tL al r lIa xicon
the impress of merit is mOOted, the en-
terprising and plucky citizens pull to-
gether for the veal of the community.
What blessing it would be to this
State if all would join hands and make
mighty effort to work as a unit in build
ing up this commonwealth of ours,
which is so susceptible to brilliant re-
suits, which can be realized, even if we
only half try. But unfortunately there
are some people of position and influence
who insist upon sitting down hard upon
the coat-tail of progress, which sad fact
is sometimes dispiriting to the progress
sive men of the country. Dame nature
is faithful old mother, but the laggards
should remember that God helps those
who help themselves. Laziress and
want of public spirit cannot be charged
to the pc 1ple of this town. They have
won-a large population, magnificent
college, fine hotels and business houses,
electric lights, ice factory and other
modern improvements - all of these
things testify to the success Of the lead
ers in making town. DeLand is beau
tifully situated in the hills--the air 70
pure and sweet that it cannot be other
wise than ahealth- giving resort. Twelve
years ago the man for whom this place
was named conceived the idea of max
ing it what it is to-day; the task has
been well done, and in accomplishing il
he has lasting monument to his energy
and business fore sight. The surround
ing country for miles is rolling and.
being studded with orange groves and
cosy homes renders it exceedingly inter-
: esting.