The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-15
DOWN SOUTH IN DIXIE.
RECENT OCCURRENCES IN THE LAyD
OF FLOWERS.
A Beautiful River-How the st. Johns Looks
TO One Gazing From the yiaduct-Pen Pic
lures Of its Changing GIories as Seen at
Morning, Noon, and Night.


Morning. Noon. and Night.
Awriter in the Times-Union Of Jackson
vile thus describes a view Of St. Johns
river from the viaduct:
IF thou woulds't see Montrose Alright.
90 view it by the pale moonlight" and that
is also the time to visit the viaduct. One can
then fully realize its symmetry and its grace
fIl grandeur.
1t swings across the wide space a giant cob
web. light as lace, and yet as strong as a
giants thews. II towers above the tops of
houses aud of trees and vet curves inward 10
the ground below. 1t is a monument to the
ssgacity and far-reaching wisdom of the men
who conceived the project and carried il out;
II viii be their memory when all other
memories have been covered with the sar-
castle dust Of forgetfulncss; il will mark their
dreams Of love wealth and home. and en-
dure when their clay has rotted into other
| clay and not a trace Of their other life re-
mains.
But Oh. the river. the beautiful river. this
! jewel set i'm n garland OF orange blossoms. the
| beautiful St. Johns sweeping majestic 10 the
sea, now sleeping like baby in It's cradle Of
| green and gold. now dashed into white-capped
u
their lances in rest and gallop over it, turbu-
lent surface coling the wreaths Of victory,
daShing into green caverns radiant with light.
or darkened with the sullen muTmur Of the
night.
To see the river in all its sublimity, the
viaduct offers the best colgn Of vantage.
and morning. noon and night one will be
entranccd with its loyline,s It's shifting
changes are so varied they never tire from
it, placid quiet 10 its wild uproar there j.
always something new something 10 soothe
human passion. something 10 excite purer
thought. The music never ceases. from the
low monotone Of waters breaking upon the
shore 10 the wilder rythm when the winds
ere ont for frOic, IL sings. and singing gives
II way. It's mission Is in constant fufillmeut.
never forgotten. done sometimes amid clamor-
Ous protest. but always done, and though all
IT Is the same incompatible river. our own
lordly 81. Johns.
In the morning when the shadows gray and
ghOsty fee with song and laughter family UNI
dcistood. and the bright banners of the sun
are advanced upon the eastern rampaIts, the
river has glory all is own The mists lift
and disappear, the waves gisten with Grim
son and gold, shining splendOr stretches out
from shore 10 shore the waters tremble in
their own ecstacy on the strange life that
thrills IN every movement. tho air is full Of
melody and a glamour born Of our divine
daintily over the shimmcring surfare every
pulse teens with glory and the night Is passed.
Stand upon the yladuct ~ noon and look
around on every side. was there ever more
beautiful scene, "A more enhancing panorama
On one side is the war and hustle Of active
work. the tall masts Of shipping tower up 10
the sky. trees OF trade blOssOmlng under the
many skies of commerce.
Some have folded their white wings ike
tired birds and rest al the wharyes that afford
food and shelter. Others bound over the
waves like startled deer and here and there a
graceful yacht idly rocks at anchor. its PROV
still wet with the spray of foreign seas.
Steam tugs dart here and there, stately steam
ships loom up against tho docks. palace homes
where cosmopolitan life loves 10 dwell.
On the other side the shore is lined with
great trees that nod IN the sunshine, and
grassy banks triumphant with natures
sweetest kiss. and through n darker verduro
you can catch a glimpse of the organge. filling
it. golden cup with the nectar Florida holds
always in store. cleaning in its glossy depths
ms the apples Of Hesperides CLEANED, but with
no danger in their cleaning.
The day wanes and the sea-gulls sweep
along the rivers mlrrored face in graceful
curves, their bright eyes watching every wave.
their white wings tinged with brown, never
at rest Now they sweep in higher circles
until they reach the clouds, and then cling so
close to the surface their feathers are damp
with it's having as they search for food from
the great mother that never tires OF feeding
them. Occasionally sportive fish leap out OF
the water. eager for the dying sunbeams all
around. 10th to let the glory escape them even
for a day.
Tho beautiful veil Of the night is slowly de-
scending. It's beauty adds new charm to the
SKY and river and all the scenery round about,
the great trees become sentres keeping sleep
less guard. the stars come ont the night is
here. In the far of heavens that vet now seem
50 near the moon rides like some glorious ship
in celestial ocean sailing the river Is q mass Of
silver hecked with shining bars where the
stars make pathways Of their own the waves
low music speaks If romance and Of love. and
half coy and half proud the lovely st. Johns
goes sweeping on 10 where the sea impatient
waits.