The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-28

Ii has been my very great privilege for ths mast two weeks to enjoy the many and varied measures afforded visitors to the popular resorts of Jacksonville, St. Au- eustine. Palm Beach. Miami and Cuba.
 Realizing the import of that homeiy adage, All work and no play makes Jack q dull boy" and a most delightful oppor- tunity having presented itself that or joining genial happy party to these places. I put care behind me- and gave myself up to pleasure for season.
 Leaving my home Saturday, February 3, via Central of Georgia railway, night travel brought us to Jacksonville. Oniy s few hours could be spent here. So ride out to the celebrated ostrich farm, a visit to these stately birds with the bit of travel procured by the trip was our experience here.
 A two hours ride found us In St. Au- eustine the oldest permanent settlement of Europeans in the United States. This is one of the most attractive little cities In the United States, her fame having spread over the civilized world and in ad- dtion to those who come to renew thelr lease on life. flock the wealth and fashion of the great cities. Pleasure seekers ind an ideal playground. the business man finds a place for relaxation and the pro teges of fashion find congeniaI company = and environment, while all drink from the fountain of youth, feeling assured after one draught that the dread old enemy, old age, cannot come near. It was here that we enjoyed the grandeur of the re- nowned, famous hotel, the Ponce de Leon, for a day and night. The historic sym bclism of its decoration is to be observed at the very gateway of the court. A bi oad stairway of marble and Mexican onyx leads to a landing from which IS entered the dining hall. In delightful an taue letters, set in mosaic in the floor oi the landing, is the aptly chosen welcome: "Who ere has travelled life's dull round,
 Where ere his stages may have been, May sigh to think he still has found
 The warmest welcome at the inn.
 After another nights travel the garden spot of the world, Palm Beach, was reached The two famous hotels here the Royal Ponciana and The Breakers are names so identified with winter socia affairs that they have become household swords throughout the world. It is nc wonder the crowds go where to see anc be seen provides no mean entertainment in itself, and where, in addition, one car follow almost every phase of outdoor sport on land and sea, and under ideal ell matic conditions. Directly In front ol these two famous hotels overlooking Lake Worth is the famous grove of cocoanu palms.
 From Palm Beach, which all the part, seemed loath to leave, being bewitchec by the charm of the place, we arrived al the Royal Palm, Miami. While unusua cold and uncomfortable rain met us here the ardor of the whole party was no dampened, a friend accompanied us on { drive, the tropical beauties of which am ply repaid us for our discomfort of rair and cold A mile or two from the city W. were shown groves of grapefruit, oranges kumquats and allowed to get out ant pick a quantity. Luxurious bends o beautiful blooming geraniums, begonia. and helotropes, bordered by beautiful maiden hair ferns and fuschias, furnished a sight which brought forth from us lout exclamatons in praise of their resplenden beauty. Large open fires were burning il
 
 return, while handsomely gowned womel and handsome men sat around them. lis tening to the strains of music furnished by an exquisite band.
 At this juncture of our journey came wonderful sight. Surely this lover sea railroad should well and most worthily b' acclaimed the eighth wonder of the world About 10 o'clock next morning we found ourselves riding along road in the mids of the Gulf of Mexico. Florida plays tn, most conspicuous part in the greates achievement that is likely to occur in thi country during the year 1912. This is tn, completion of a railroad to Key West. it terminus, a distance of 106 miles, by Henr, w. Flagler. No single individual has eve done for a state what his mammoth mint has conceived and carried out in this on, masterpiece. If all other achievement were named the completion of this will b' a monumental event, not only to him ant Florida, but to the United States. It vir tually links the great cities of the United States with Cuba and the Panama canal