Smyrna times., 1892-08-31
For the Smyrna Times.
CASTLE AND ARRAGON.
ST. AUGUSTINE Fra Ano 1000

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Inlet the approaches to ancient Sa
Augustine loom up bathed in the so
hght OF aniearly breaking day. To tn
lett Anastasia Island like great Sc
monster lies stretched upon the bort
zon, rising and undulating almost wit
the pulsation of the ocean. Th
warmth of the new born day is TEN
pered with gentle sea breeze ripplin,
across the clear waters. The ol,
Coquina built fort now almost in ruin.
stands guard at the entrance of tn,
habitat of sea news and bats.
Fishermen move about the expaps,
here and there, lazily shaking GU
their sails for an early start to the of
shore fishing grounds. Little Napths
launches ride easily to anchor on tn,
light small then polished brazen stack,
telling of but little toll for them in the
day just begun. Yachts in all the
the paraphernalia of men of war with
streaming bunting and light rig. are
lying in repOse near the quay as il
afraid to disturb the slumbers of the
tired out owner in his gorgeous saloon
below who perhaps has just come in
from a night ashore.
Away off to the eastward band of
gold outlines the horizon. Slowly the
Arbiter of day climbs to view. and
casting a sheen of brilliant light across
the sea, bathes in its effulgence old
San Augustine. The effect is indies.
cribably grand. Other bays there are
ike the magnificent harbor of Rio
Janerio crowned with lofty peaks mon
arch among whom is the Sugar Loaf
rising in majestic grandeur above its
fellows. On the lovely Bay of NapIes
resting at the feet of Vesuvius a gem
whose brilliantly jewelled hand law
reposing upon the blue waters of the
Mediterrean tapping and lapsing in
many sparkling ray the white beach
OF famed Naples. But this of San Aug
ustine is flood of glory at early morn
ing long after the River is crowded
with pleasure seekers. As the steamer
rounds too at the dock the transition
from FlOrida's winter resort to some
Granadan villa from which the Emirs
of the Moorish Kingdom sailed forth
to sack Andalusian villages and carry
of the maids of fair CASTLE to Eastern
harems is easily obtained.
First, the splendid proportions of
the great hotels Ponce De Leon and
Cordova attract at once.
The COrdova with its windows
square turrets and narrow arches com.
mencIng from the low Chilean Patio
and rising to the lofty flag crowned
turreted battlements, tier upon tier in
every Imaginable salient point until
the massive dome pencils itself sharply
upon the blue sky.
The Ponce De Leon, Spanish domed
and with slOping tiled roofs in the
architecture of Seville. or Valencia
embowered in pIazas from which
spring sparkling fountains surrounded
with fragrant orange blossoms and
palms and Towering shrubs.
Between these two suburb hotels |
leads the Almeda, its asphalt pave
nent covered with prancing steeds
and liveried equipages. The stone |
side walks peOpled with brilliantly |
dressed men and women in the elab-
crate toilets of Paris aud New York;
heighten this with the soft strains of
music repeating Verd's love songs
make it more musical still by the light
laughter of people who live but for
pleasure; tighten this again with
lovely American women; arch this
Almedian promenade with a bright
blue sky; light it again with a tropic
sun; temple the glare of day by gen.
tie breeze from the sea that scarcely
moves and rustles the foliage of the
vegetation-and you have as raptur-
Gus a picture, out da7zling Naples.
The soft southern air and dreamy mel
odles bring contemplation to tired
workers in finance aud oil. Under
this charming glow of wealth and
beauty deals are made exchanging
rich phosphate lands in the heart of
Florida for richer shekels. Love
matches begun on the board walks of
Cape May and Long Branch are here
10 have more beautiful surroundings
10 enhance the meaningless phrases.
Across the Alcazar the bay is dotted
with life and white sails, along the
lightly built Palmetto piers are crowds
of white-sleeved bare armed boatmen.
Mingling among these are the ever
ready negroes with the expectants
quarter shining in their faces for the
slightest service, and nowhere on the
continent while winter blasts are
weeping through the north, can more
orgetfulness of the rigors and misery
'f an American winter be realized than
n old San Augustine,
JAMES B. SCOTT.