The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1893-01-04

the afternoon, could not accept. The at
ternoon was beautiful one, 10 which ne
took our departure from Leesburg. The
hostess and her family escorted US to
the depot and remained with as until our
train came, when we, with deep regret,
babe these good people an afrectionale
farewell and resumed, once more, our
ever onward and always southwark jour
ney. The country changes here, along
this route. The surface becomes more
rolling and billy. The soil looks darker,
and If anything, richer, and the scenery
is very picturesque and pleasing to the
Northern traveller. We next came to
beautiful lake, which lay like a mirror
among the pine,crowned hills, blue as the
over-arching sky in which the leecy
clouds were sailing far away. Along its
bank ran narrow path, where two fig
ures were walking and too busily en-
gagged in earnest conversation to notice
our train as 1t passed them by. The route
all along here is beautiful God in his in
finite wisdom has placed US here in
world full of beauties, and on every hand
we see the fruits OF his loving kindness
This Southern life gives us many Joys
1t impresses the mild with all It's glory
and grandeur, aud bears our thoughts up
ward on the wings of light, to the eternal
throne. II on earth we have such tokens
OF a Fathers love, what must be the glories
of heaven What pity and compassion
should we have towards those who be-
hold nothing but evil in all this glorious
universe. We should go forth and listen
to the voice Of nature, look around and
about US, on every side, for we are all
welcome to the beauties of nature. Such
beautiful flowers are along our route.
Yes, Florida might well be termed the
Gland of Flowers" as flowers of the
sweetest fragrance, and every hue and
color, greet the eye, as well as a great
number of tropical plants, in all varieties.
We next come to the little station of
Brooksville, at $40 P. NJ. Here we were
met with the stage coach, little rattle
trap sort OF an affair, and soon after
alighted at Rice's Hotel, where We were
received in most friendly and hospitable
manner, by good Mrs. Rice, (hostess.)
| In little while we were shown into very
pleasant rooms, where we bathed 10 some
clear sparkling cold water, and felt great
ly refreshed. After good warm and ex
cellently prepared supper, we went out on
the veranda for awhile, and then hearing
of the Baptist Convention being held there
in Brooksville, we donued our hats and
wendell our way towards the church,
which by-the-way, was just across the
way from our boarding house. So two
hours after our arrival here 10 Brooks
vile, found us In the church, attending
the convention. 1t was very interesting
and had we been less tired we should have
enjoyed 1t much more. We try to take
in everything as we go along on our
travels.
The next day being Sunday, and very
rainy one at that, we decided 10 remain
in doors and watch the rain as it came
down, to tell us what rainy day was in
the Sunny South. The next morning,
which was very warm, bright, suushipy
day, we spent in strolling about the town,
Brooksville is one OF the most prettily 10
Gated towns or settlements we have seer
in Florida, except Leesburg. II is in fac
the most Florida-appearing place i'm
aginable, with excellent rich soils, anC
first-olass hard country roads, 10 all di
rections. Even the houses somehow de
not look Florida-like. This is one of thu
most desirable sections OF the State. AL
though not at all tropical in appearance, vel
all the products Of tropical as well as Of
the Northern climate, grow here. Here
also we found grass, good sod, that
seemed so refreshing 10 walk upon. =
Standing on the broad level top of a high
hill, in the midst of many hills, we took a
view OF the little town. We saw hard
wood forests, broad fields, abandoned
mostly, plenty of game, numerous brooks,
&c. Brooksville is the county seat oil
fernando county, and contains the Court
Honse, large wooden building, a good
structure, but provokingly plain in de-
sign, few groceries, saloon and mum,
Der of dwellings, nearly all small cottages,
generally surrounded by small gardens,
orange groves, &c. The town is very
prosperous-looking one and might well be
termed the gem OF South Florida. The
town also boasts Of an academy, which
building is very prettily located on the
top Of small knoll. The churches are
all we'll built, fair sized structures, and
quite credit to the community. They
are now building a new Methodist Church
there, which will be quite an addition to
the place. But the houses here are rather
scattered, and the inhabitants are not very
numerous. Few of the dwellings are pre-
tentious, but they have a very comforta'
BILE home-like appearance, all standing In
ample grounds and nearly all having
abundance OF tropical fruits, plants, my
RAIDS Of flowers, shrubs, vines, &c. -
Brooksville is the highest point in Soutl
Florida. We are In that portion Of thu
State called the "Orange Belt" and tn
thermometer rarely falls below 800 o
rises above 90.
In Florida, the Winter is the dry sea
son, and the rains are very infrequenl
and sunshine and fine weather the rule
The rainy season commences about th
first of July and lasts until September
and at that time the heavens will, on th
most unpropitious occasions, open an
drop moisture as unpeasantly upon th
just as on the unjust. AS l see more {