The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-08-17

winter resort whose great hotels. i'll lux
ury and magniticencc, have no equals i'll
the world and whose private residences
are distinguished for elegance and com
fort. The Ponce de Leon, the Alcazar
ana the Cordoya are palatial structures
richly appointed and luxurious hotels. |
owned by ii. NJ. Flagler, Of New York. |
In style of architecture the Ponce de |
Leon and the Alcazar follow the Spanish |
Renaissance. This was the glorious era
OF Spain's history. 1t was the memora-
bic age when the Moors had been eX-
PEELED from Granada and all Spain was
united under Ferdinand and Isabella
when Spanish explorers were conquering |
America and the Spanish treasury was !
overlooking with the wealth of the In !
dies. How has Il mighty nation fallen.
The Cordova is of Il earlier age in styIcl
of architecture. The suggestion for its
heavy walls and battementcd towers
were found in the strong castles and
town defcnscs of Spain. Its strength
suggests the famous remains of thcl
Moorish dominion in Spain and its bal
comics speak Of Seville.
The Memorial Presbyterian \ church,
erected in 1899 by II. NJ. Flagler. in mo-
mory Of his daughter. is elaborate inI
structure. in style of the NcnetianI
Renaissance and in wealth of interior
decoration SURPRISES any other buildingI
in st. Augustine. The handsomcst resi-
dcnCc in the city is the winter home of
Mr.. Flaglcr. on the square adjoining this
church and near the Ponce de Leon. 1T
is Colonial in style of architecture. Villa
/orayda is another modern building
worthy of note because of the architcc-
tural design and elaborate manner I'M
which the oriental building has been
adapted To the latitude Of Florida. The
architecture throughout is Moorish and
suggestive of Algicrs and Tangicr
The older buildings are made Of CO.
quina, Il native shell rock found on
st. Anastasia Island. The newer ones
are constructed Of a composition of sand,
cement and shells. A wall is built byI
moulding successive layers of concrete.
rs each layer hardcns a new one isl
poured on top of it. The wall is thus
cast instead Of being built when com
plctcd it is one solid stonc-a monolith
without joint or seam.
st. Ioseph's cathedral is another spec
linen of ancient architecture the visitor
is expected to see. 1t was completed
in 1871. burned in 1887 and Immediately
rebuilt and enlarged. One Of the origin
al bells bears the inscription: "Sanctc|
Joseph Ora Pro NobiS u. 1852" 1t has
been claimed that this bell is the oldest
on the continent This edilicc faces al
bit of pleasing grcensward. in the centre
Of the town, known as the Plaza. ItsI
full name is Plaza de la Constitution, sol
called from Il monument erected thcrel
ny the Spaniards in 1913. in common
Grafton of the formation of n new and
liberal constitution by the Spanish
COrtes. A second monument in thcI
Plaza was erected in 1872 by the ladies
memorial association of st. Augustine,
in memory of those who gave their lives
in the service of the Confederate States.
On the east end Of the Plaza is AMI
open structure commonly pointed ont asi
the cold slave market" and is alleged
to have been of Spanish origin. In real
ity. though. the Spaniards never had
anything to do with it and no slave wasI
ever sold there. The structure was erect
ed in 1910 and was used for the prosaic
purpose of meat and vegetable mar
kct. 1t was not until after the war that
curiosity seekers began to imagine it,
was used for the sale of slaves.
All these stories and legends and many
more the North Carolina soldiers have
learned and delight to relate to You asI
they point out the places above men
toned They never tire Of going amongI
the old ruins and asking questions of the
natives.
Can life anywhere clse--soldicr orl
civilian-hc like life in the Ancient City?l
Nature knows no balmier cline; has
painted no more beautiful picture. Surf
and beach are transplcndcnt with SOFT
tropical shades and delicate tints of
sky. The atmosphere is aglow with
color; the sea quivers with beauty. It'll
is evening. You not only behold the
slories Of the west. you are actually
standing in and part Of the effulgence
of the dying day.
Fortunate are those whose lot is east
ON this charmed shore. | bid it adicu
with regret and wish for the Tar Heel
troops here Il long stay in the Ancient
city.
FRED l.. MERRITT.