The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1889-04-25
Letter From DR.. wild.

Letter From DR.. Wild.
WasHis0roS, ID. c.. April -, 1889.
Dear Joinaak'
We have accom- plished the longest
stretch Of our norihward journey, and
write you al this date from the shadow oil
our national Capitol, Our stay in Floriis
was exceedingly pleasant and closed under
the best Of auspices. Words Of mine can
not do justice to the beauty OF the wea,her
1t was warm, with cloudless sky and
bslmy atmosphere. This continued till
Sabbath morning the l4th, when we were
treated to real semi tropical thunder
| storm. 1t lasted nearly all day, aud the
rain fell Us only southern clouds know
how to pour it down, the amount OF water
being nearly two and one.half inches.
One Of the most delightful experiences
OF our whole trip was the steamboat ride
down tho 81. Johns river. two hundred
miles, from Sanford to Jacksonville. The
upper part OF the river is very narrow and
crook, d; and the windiugs of the boa: with
the thick vegetation along the banks, gave
perpetually new interest to the view.
We were on the watch for alligstors, which
are growing more scarce and shy every
year. and our vigilance was rewarded by =
few glimpses Of the huge reptiles as they
rolled from their summing places into the
water ON the approach Of the boat.
OF course We could net leave Florida
without visiting st. Augustine. From the
geography which We studied 10 our child.
hood We learned that this was one Of the
oldest settlements made by Europeans on
the American coast. II has never been
large place, and probably has q greater
population now than it ever had before,
owing to its increased popularity as win
ter resort. II Is queer combination Of the
ancient and tie modern, the crude and
the refined. The old town has narrow
streets Zone Of them only seven feet wide)
and quaint houses suggesting scenes OF
one, two, and three centuries ago. The
new town contains several fne hotels
among which is the Ponce de Leon, said
10 be the largest in tho world aud occupy,
ing five acres Of ground. Some Of the
streets are paved with asphalt. Several Of
the streets 10 Jacksonville arc paved with
wooden blocks. But some Of the city
streets, as we'll as most Of the country
roads, lie in the midst Of the deep light
sand without which l suppose Florids
would not be Florida.
have been asked sometimes to express
an opinion as to the com parstive advanta-
ges OF different parts Of our country as
places OF residence. This is hard thing
to do. Every place has it's advantages and
its disadvantages, and the making OF
general comparison involves many diff cul-
ties l am pleased with the climate OF
Florida. At this season OF the year IL is
delightful, and judging from what have
heard | should not fear TO spend the en-
tire summer there. There are breezes from
the sea which temper the heat ani give m
equablenese to the climate that is not us
ually expected Of country 10 such lati-
tude.
II is one pecnliarity OF the Flords Of the
present that few people seem to go there
to stay. There are many visitors, but few |
permanent residents. Many OF the bust
ness men who are attracted by prospects
Of immediate financial success have no in
teution OF remaining there. Cemeterie'
are few and little used. A large portion |
OF the people we meet are only tourists or
sojourners. Hence ii is land
OF hotels and boarding houses rather than
Of homes. l believe the possibilities OF
Florida are very great, and l expect the
next generation or two will accomplish
much towards overcoming the difficulties
which lie 10 the way Of Its permanent get
Element.
II words OF niue could help 10 extending
The praise OF the Windsor Hotel at Jack
sonvile. would gladly write them, for II
is certainly one Of the most orderly, rest
Iul. homelike hotels ever saw. And
rejoice for more than one reason 10 the
OF full season st the Equinox
House during the coming summer
4. p. W.