Year: 1859

settled up IN Marion. On this portion Of it
saw only one or two dwellings, after leaving
the Generals till within short distance Of
the Spring; there is small collection of
houses-three small stores but no accom-
modation in the place. We arrived at the
Spring about two o'clock, partook of our
lnnch-left our carriages in grove near
oy' and walked down to the spring to take
view and to great boat in which we
might sail out upon its bright bosom. 1t
springs up in low.nat portion of country,
with no towering hills to look proudly
down upon its silent splendor. We were
perfectly delighted with the view from the
banks and anxious to 60 out upon the
glltter'ng waters that moved maiestically
on; butwe found no boat here, and were
about to give up in despair, when we were
tod there was boat at the lower landing ::
we were soon off in search of it and when
we reached the point we were disappoin,-
ell more than ever. This boat had lust
been taken down the stream we, however.
concluded to go and see this magnificent
river once more before we left the shores.
ana wh'lo we stood gazing with
longing eyes up and down the smooth,
no'seless stream, stranger said he heard
barge coming and that We could then get
" boat. In little while barge boat bur-
dened with freight for tho supply
OF the surrounding country, hove in
sight and to our unbounded iov
we were furnished with a small skiff
and were not long in getting aboard the rraiI
vessel and up the stream we glided, owe.
the bright sivery bosom of this magni6-
cent body of water. Twas n lovely after
noon, calm and clear, and tho glorious king
OF day could not have been more prodigaI
OF his radiant beams, upon the tender
blades OF green grass that gracefully moved
on the deep bottom, were reflected the
splendant hues of the bright rainbow. Along
the middle of this broad stream when its
crystal water flowed more swiftly, were
spots of snowy white sand over which were
spread sparkling substances. glitterinp in
the sunshine most spendidly, and beauti


tul shells, and the large fish were sporting
IN the crystal waves far down beneath orr
miniature boat that scarcely rippled the pla-
cid stiffness. To me the whole scene was
like glorious dream. I have often had
fancics Of dazzling splendor but this far
exceeds all my dreams. A spring sixty feet
deep, and twenty yards broad, deepening
and widening as it wanders on, and whose
water is so clear, so transparent that YOU
may see the bottom. as if it was only few
inches in depth. I stood upon the green
banks casting farewell look at this grand,
magnificent and beautiful scene, then, turn


ed to leave itwith reluctance. There was
nothing on our way home worthy of notice
except the orange grove, about twenty
miles above the Silver Spring, and it did
not near compete with my expectations
nothing but tangled mass of orange trees.
whose beauty was marrcd by the cattle,
reaching and pulling down their long limbs
SO as to obtain the beautiful golden fruit.
nearly all of which was gone, ere we visi-
ted its spacious grounds. Other trees and
vines, rudeIy mingle with the orange. On
ono side Of the grove lies beautiful large
sheet OF still water, which bears the name
OF Orangeslake on the other side is a small
prairie known by the name of orange prairie.
Cabbage Palmettoes raise high their noble
heads, 10 overlook the other trees and shrub.
berry that bounds the plains. We lodged the
first night at a Mr.. Souters and shared his
hospitality ;they are an excellent family
the next at Miccanopy, and the last at New
nansville where we attended circus, which
proved to be very poor affair. The next
evening we were kindly received into our
transient homes with welcoming smile.


SUE.