ST. AUGUSTINE AS A PLACE OF RESORT FOR INVALIDS.
ADVANTAGES OF CLIMATE.
This city enjoys many advantages in respect to climate, which are
peculiar. The same may be true of the climate of the Florida peninsula
in general. An intelligent correspondent of the Army and Navy Chronicle,
in an interesting article, thus writes of the climate of Florida:
“Florida, from its position, lying just north of the Tropic of Cancer,
and being nearly surrounded by water, would be judged to possess one of
the blandest and most equable climates in the world. And such, in fact,
for several months in the year, is found to be the case.
“In the interior and upper portions, the variations in the annual
temperature are considerable--80 and 90 degrees. The diurnal variations
are considerable. On the sea-coast and in the lower part of the
territory, where regular trade-winds prevail, the temperature is so much
less variable, that the islands about capes Florida and Sable are in
this respect unexcelled perhaps by any other region of the globe.”
Dr. Forry,[16] U. S. A., thus writes of the climate of this
region:--“Among the various systems of climate presented in the United
States, that of the peninsula of Florida is wholly peculiar. Possessing
an insular temperature, not less equable and salubrious in winter than
that afforded by the south of Europe, it will be seen that invalids
requiring a mild winter residence, have gone to foreign lands in search
of what might have been found at home. Florida therefore merits the
attention of physicians at the north; for here the pulmonary invalid may
exchange for the inclement seasons of the north, or the deteriorated
atmosphere of a room to which he may be confined, the mild, equable
temperature, the soft, balmy breezes of an evergreen land.”
“For many years,” says Dr. Wardeman, “afflicted with phthisis, and
compelled to pass the last seven winters in the West Indies and the
southern parts of Florida, we have been necessarily placed in
communication with numerous invalids similarly affected, many of whom
were under our professional care; and from personal experience and the
observation of others, we have had ample opportunities for comparing the
effects of different climates on the disease. Premising that we have
passed five winters in Cuba, one at Key West, and one at Enterprise,
East Florida. Florida has the advantage over Italy, in having no
mountain ranges covered during winter with snows; the cold blasts from
the Apennines and the Jura mountains, rendering a large portion of Italy
and southern France unfit for invalids unable to bear a sudden and great
increase of temperature.”
Dr. Bernard Byrne thus writes of the climate of Florida (see the
National Intelligencer of May 18th, 1843): “Taking it the year round,
the climate of East Florida is much more agreeable than any other in the
United States, or even than that of Italy. In the southern portion of
the peninsula frost is never (rarely) felt; even so far north as the
Suwanee River, there are generally but three or four nights in a whole
winter that ice as thick as a quarter of a dollar is formed. The winter
weather is delightful in East Florida, beyond description. It very much
resembles that season which in the Middle States is termed “Indian
Summer;” except that in Florida the sky is perfectly clear, and the
atmosphere more dry and elastic.”
We now will consider the climate of St. Augustine in particular. There
is circulated a sentiment prejudicial to the virtue of the climate of
St. Augustine, as a resort for invalids in search of health. This may be
all very natural, when the interest north of this city, served by the
traveling public, is considered; but it is not just. Experience usually
contradicts this sentiment. It is encountered under various exaggerated
forms of statement, all along the southern inland route. In the face of
declarations designed to forestall opinion against the place, however,
many have persevered, and found experience the wisest counselor.
Says a correspondent to the Florida Herald, 1848: “I have occasionally
been in the interior. In every instance, however, I have found the
climate of this city preferable on the whole. The same is true of every
place I have visited south, if I except the climate of south or tropical
Florida, which I believe to be without a parallel.”
These remarks on the nature of the climate, exhibiting its advantages,
are founded on the experience and observation of individuals who have
thoroughly tested its virtues, and who were capable of forming and of
expressing an intelligent opinion--many of these writers being called,
in the course of professional duty, to analyze and study the nature and
effects of climate.
Let me suggest certain peculiarities, which impart to the climate of St.
Augustine peculiar advantages over any interior or more northern
locality, and which are properties peculiarly favorable to a restoration
of impaired health.
During the winter months, the extremes of temperature, though the
transitions are somewhat more sudden, are nevertheless not so great here
as in the interior. This peculiarity follows a law of climate, which,
both north and south, causes it to be _warmer in the neighborhood of the
sea in winter_, than in regions remote therefrom. It is also cooler in
summer.
The east winds here are far different from the east winds at the north.
Though somewhat raw and gusty, they are nevertheless shorn of their
intensity, and greatly modified, in their passage across and along the
Gulf stream. They thus lose very much of their asperity, and would
hardly be recognized by a New Englander, being usually unattended with
rain. In summer, the air is neither so hot nor as sultry as it is
inland, where respiration is attended with a suffocating sensation. The
atmosphere of the sea-coast is not so highly rarefied. The process of
evaporation, which is perpetually going on, tends to equalize
temperature, and so to adapt the atmosphere to the action of the
respiratory organs, that one breathes freely and easily. By the same
process, the intensity of the heat is greatly abated. The afternoons and
evenings are invariably cool and refreshing.
The atmosphere exhilarates. On one’s energies and spirits, it acts as a
stimulus, so that one does not suffer from lassitude here, as is usual
at the north. The nights are refreshing in the hottest season. This
remark is true, I believe, only of the atmosphere in the neighborhood of
the sea, amid the coast climate. Indeed, the whole body of the
atmosphere on the coast is more pure and healthful than in the interior;
and is believed also to be medicinal in its effects. The various
chemical ingredients of the atmosphere on the coast, are powerful
disinfecting agents, which are perpetually elaborated, from the
prodigious evaporation and other chemical combinations of the mineral
waters of the sea, whose grand elements are _soda_ and _chlorine_. These
impart to the atmosphere healing power and medicinal virtue. The sea and
the sun are laboratories of healthful energy and influence, which are
projected into this atmosphere from natural resources, and which are
taken into the system by the ordinary process of respiration. For _these
reasons_, invalids have often experienced as great, if not greater
benefit, from a summer residence here, than from a winter sojourn.
Disease, taken in its incipient stages, may be eradicated, under the
influence of the climate alone, aided by the “_vis medicatrix naturæ_.”
Air and exercise are the chief medicines required.
CLASS OF DISEASES REACHED AND FAVORABLY AFFECTED BY THIS CLIMATE.
In relation to this interesting point of inquiry, the opinions and
reasoning of Dr. Samuel Forry (in the Journal of Medical Science, in the
year 1841) are full and explicit. _Bronchitis._--“The advantage of a
winter residence in a more southern latitude, as respects this disease,
becomes at once apparent.
“If the invalid can avoid the transition of the seasons, that
meteorological condition of the atmosphere which stands first among the
causes that induce catarrhal lesions, he will do much towards
controlling the malady.
“As regards the change of climate, it will be observed that in the
advantages enumerated, reference is made only to _chronic bronchitis_.
“The climate of Florida has been found beneficial in cases of incipient
pulmonary consumption, and those threatened with disease from hereditary
or acquired indisposition. It is in _chronic bronchial_ affections more
particularly that it speedily manifests its salutary tendency.
“But there are other forms of disease, in which such a climate as that
of East Florida is not unfrequently of decided advantage. To this class
belongs _asthma_.
“In chronic disorders of the digestive organs, where no inflammation
exists, or structural changes have supervened in viscera important to
life, but the indication is merely to remove disease of a functional
character, a winter’s residence promises great benefit; but exercise in
the open air, aided by a _proper regimen_, are indispensable adjuncts.
“In many of those obscure affections called nervous, unconnected with
inflammation, exercise and traveling in this climate, are frequently
powerful and efficient remedies.
“_Chronic rheumatism_, though apparently much less under the influence
of meteorological causes than pulmonic affections, will be often
benefited by a winter residence in Florida. As these cases often resist
the best directed efforts of medicines, it is the only remedy which the
northern physician can recommend with a reasonable prospect of success.
“When there exists a general delicacy of the constitution in
_childhood_, often the rubeola, or scarlatina manifesting itself by
symptoms indicative of a scrofulous disposition, a winter residence in a
warm climate frequently produces the most salutary effects.
“Another form of disease remains to be alluded to, in which change of
climate promises healing power, viz.: _premature decay_ of the
_constitution_, characterized by general evidence of deteriorated
health, whilst some tissue or organ important to life commonly manifests
symptoms of abnormal action. This remarkable change occurs without any
obvious cause, and is not unappropriately termed in common parlance, ‘a
breaking up of the constitution.’ In treating of the climate of Florida,
the primary object held in view, is to direct attention to its fitness
as a winter residence for northern invalids.
“A comparison with the most favored situation on the continent of Europe
and the islands held in the highest estimation for mildness and
equability of climate, affords results in no way disparaging. A
comparison of the mean temperature of winter and summer, that of the
coldest and warmest months and seasons, furnishes results generally in
favor of the Peninsula of Florida.
“On the coast of Florida, the average number of fair days, is about 250;
while in the Northern States, the average number of fair days per annum,
is about 120. Though climate is one of the most powerful remedial
agents, and one, too, which in many cases will admit no substitute, yet
much permanent advantage will not result, either from traveling or
change of climate, unless the invalid adheres strictly to such regimen
as his case may require.
“The attention of many persons suffering with pulmonary diseases having
been directed to the southern section of the United States, as a
temporary residence for the benefit of their health, and there being
much diversity of sentiment as to the location most proper for attaining
this desirable end, I propose to offer to the public some facts derived
from personal observation. Having in the early part of last year been
the subject of an attack, that threatened a rapid termination in
consumption, the unanimous opinions of several of my medical friends
concurred with my own judgment, to induce me to avoid the vicissitudes
of the approaching winter in our varying climate; and I felt compelled
to make an effort, which to every appearance was to decide the event of
my disease.
“St. Augustine in East Florida, was the place to which my views had been
directed, and I arrived there soon after the commencement of the present
year. A few days’ residence convinced me of the efficacy of the climate
in promoting my own health; and from the observations I was continually
enabled to make, in reference to the invalids who had resorted there,
from motives similar to my own, I became assured of the excellent
effects of the climate: and am fully satisfied, that although prudence
would have dictated a removal two months earlier in the season, the
present great improvement of my health is to be attributed almost wholly
to having substituted for the variations of our own latitude, the
mildness of that favored region. St. Augustine is the most southern
location[17] _on our_ extensive seaboard to which a valetudinarian can
resort, with any prospect of obtaining the attentions and comforts
requisite for the improvement of health.
“The climate of St. Augustine, seems peculiarly adapted to the
improvement of patients with consumptive chronic affections of the
lungs, asthma, spitting of blood, rheumatism, and dyspepsia. It is a
fact worthy of remark, that though it is universally acknowledged the
advanced stages of pulmonary consumption are often beyond the power of
medical skill to produce restoration, yet most of those who resort to a
change of climate for cure, reject the advantages to be derived from the
removal, until the disease shall have made such extensive ravages as to
render hopeless every prospect of renovation.
“Many cases of this nature I had an opportunity of observing during the
last winter; and, in some instances, the patients seemed to have
hastened from their homes whilst the last glimmerings of life only
remained.
“The benefit of the climate of St. Augustine will be particularly
evident in the incipient stages of those affections, for the cure of
which it has been celebrated; and those invalids who contemplate a
removal thither, ought not to allow the commencement of winter to
surprise them whilst preparing for departure.
“The glowing, and even exaggerated reports of this climate, that have
been given by some persons of lively imagination, have occasioned
disappointment to a few whose expectations had been greatly excited.
Nevertheless, I am persuaded, generally, a residence there during the
winter season will contribute much to the advantage of every stage of
pulmonary affections.” _Extracts from a Circular published in
Philadelphia, 1830, by James Cox, M. D._
TEMPERATURE.
TABLES OF THE COMPARATIVE AND ABSOLUTE TEMPERATURE OF THIS CITY.
TABLE I.
_Exhibiting a Comparison between the Mean Temperature of the most
favorite Resorts for Health in other Countries and that of St.
Augustine--Fahrenheit’s Thermometer._
MEAN DIFFERENCE OF THE | MEAN ANNUAL RANGE.
SUCCESSIVE MONTHS. |
|
deg. | deg.
Pisa, 5.75 |Naples, 64
Nice, 4.74 |Nice, 60
Rome, 4.39 |Rome, 62
Penzance, Eng., 3.5 |Penzance, 49
Madeira, 2.41 |Madeira, --
St. Augustine, Flor., 3.55 |St. Augustine, 59
TABLE II.
_Exhibition of the Mean Temperature of each Month at St. Augustine, East
Florida--Years 1825, 1828, 1830._
deg.
January, 62.15
February, 64.97
March, 66.53
April, 68.68
May, 76.44
June, 81.12
July, 82.36
August, 82.68
September, 77.55
October, 73.61
November, 67.47
December, 61.31
TABLE III.
_Exhibition of the Mean Annual Monthly Range for the same Years._
Annual range, 59°.
deg.
January, 35
February, 30
March, 25
April, 31
May, 20
June, 17
July, 14
August, 12
September, 14
October, 22
November, 22
December, 36
TABLE IV.
TROPICAL FLORIDA.
_Northern Limits of the Tropical Fruit-growing Region--Fort Pierce,
Indian River Inlet._[18]
ABSTRACT FOR ONE YEAR.
From Meteorological Reports on file in the Surgeon General’s Office.
June 16th, 1848.
|Hot-|Cold-
|test|est | WINDS. |
MONTHS THERMOMETER |day.|day.| |
----------------+----+----+---------------------------------------+
1840 High-|Low-|Mean |Mean|Mean| N. |N.W.|N.E.| E. |S.E.| S. |S.W.| W. |
est°|est°| | T. | T. |d’ys|d’ys|d’ys|d’ys|d’ys|d’ys|d’ys|d’ys|
==============+====+=====+====+====+====+====+====+====+====+====+====+====+
April, 86 | 68 |74.07| 78 | 69 | 8 | - | 3 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 2 | 1 |
May, 90 | 65 |76.43| 82 | 70 | 5 | - | 3 | 7 | 8 | 2 | 6 | - |
June, 90 | 70 |78.61| 82 | 74 | 2 | - | 7 | 2 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
July, 88 | 72 |79.61| 81+| 76+| - | - | 1 | 13 | 6½| 2 | - | 8½|
August, 88 | 72 |78.95| 83 | 75+| - | - | 1½| 5½| 13½| 6 | 1 | 3½|
September, 90 | 72 |78.65| 82 | 75+| - | - | 13½| 9½| 6 | ½ | ½ | - |
October, 80 | 62 |75.88| 78 | 64 | ½ | 3½ | 8 | 9½| 3 | 3½| 1 | 2 |
November, 73 | 44 |64.40| 70 | 51+| 2 | 7 | 8 | 2 | 9½| 1½| - | - |
December, 72 | 46 |61.51| 68 | 48 | - | 4 | 15½| 1½| 6½| 2 | - | ½ |
January, 84 | 38 |66.13| 76 | 47+| ½ | 3½ | 3 | 6 | 14½| - | - | 3½|
February, 82 | 32 |63.18| 76 | 41+| 3½| 3 | 4½| 4½| 13 | 1 | - | 1½|
March, 80 | 48 |67.19| 74+| 54+| 4 | 4 | 4½| 9 | 5½| ½ | 1 | 2½|
| WEATHER. | Rain.
MONTHS | |
+----------------------+-------
1840 |Fair|Cl’dy|Rain.|Sn’w.|
|d’ys|d’ys.|d’ys.|d’ys.|Inches.
==============+====+=====+=====+=====+=======
April, | 25 | 1 | 4 | - |No instrument
May, | 26 | - | 5 | - |to measure rain.
June, | 25 | - | 5 | - |
July, | 26 | 5 | - | - |
August, | 20½| 10½ | - | - |
September, | 19½| 10½ | - | - |
October, | 24½| 6½ | - | - |
November, | 18 | 12 | - | - |
December, | 15 | 16 | - | - |
January, | 24½| 6½ | - | - |
February, | 25½| 2½ | - | - |
March, | 26 | 5 | - | - |
[Illustration: MAGNOLIA HOUSE, ST. AUGUSTINE E.F.]
ADVANTAGES OF ACCOMMODATION.
The accommodations for invalids, in this city, are comparable with any
that can be furnished in this region, and will be ample.
There are four public houses, two of which, in regard to style,
convenience, and comfort, will compare well with any like
establishments.
The “Magnolia House,” erected by B. E. Carr, is a spacious and
attractive resort. Its style of architecture is neat; its grounds are
laid out with taste; its location is eligible. Its host was trained in
one of the best establishments of the city of New-York, and of course
understands well how both to _satisfy_ and _please_ those who make his
house the home of their sojourn. The Magnolia House, though recently
opened for public accommodation, it has been found necessary
considerably to enlarge. This work its enterprising proprietor is now
engaged upon. It will be also modified so as to suit the convenience and
meet the wants of the public, by affording many comforts and
conveniences not generally attached to a hotel. Seventeen additional
rooms, with a new and spacious dining hall, are to be added, which in
many respects will make it one of the most desirable places of sojourn
for families and travelers in this city, as well as for invalids.
The “Planters’ Hotel” is a spacious and convenient public house, well
adapted to the accommodation of the public. This large establishment is
to be opened the ensuing fall, under the supervision of its present
proprietor, Mr. Loring. The “Florida House,” on the side opposite, is a
large, well-kept establishment, belonging to Mr. Cole; the “City Hotel,”
under Mr. Bridier, is also open.
There are several neat private residences, where strangers and
sojourners can be accommodated, at reasonable prices. The boarding
establishment of Mrs. Reid is an attractive establishment, capable of
accommodating many persons, both families and single.
The residence of Mrs. Dr. Anderson is conspicuous on the avenue leading
over the bridge near the St. Sebastian River. It is built of the native
coquina rock, and was embosomed in a grove of young orange trees, of
which the decaying stumps and sickly shoots are all that remain,
together with the hedge of Spanish bayonet, which inclosed it. These
suffice to designate “Markland,” though shorn of its glory--which is
partially supplied by a grove of olive trees now in bearing.
“Yallaha” is the neat cottage residence of P. B. Dunnas. It is the
Indian word for orange. Yallaha is situated on the river St. Sebastian,
and is distinguished for the beauty and healthfulness of its position,
and also for the delicious strawberries which enrich its blushing
gardens in the month of March.
It was in orange times the site of a beautiful and extensive grove of
trees, variegated with green foliage and golden fruit and fragrant
blossoms.
It is the purpose of the proprietor to erect on his grounds commodious
boarding establishments.
RECREATION AND AMUSEMENT.
This city contains a small circle of intelligent and cultivated society.
It is not as yet deformed with the arts and moral conveniences of more
fashionable circles, in the higher walks of life. It needs not the
blandishments--it dreads not the encroachments which, if tolerated in
higher circles, would dissipate the fictitious colors that glow to
deceive around fashionable intercourse. Its very simplicity is at once
its greatest charm and surest defence against impertinent intrusion. The
city affords comfortable, if not elegant homes, to the invalid
sojourner, both in public houses and private families, through which he
will have a more or less direct connection with the avenues to the
Anglo-American society. Excellent medical aid can here be commanded,
from resident members of the profession; and the institutions of
religion can be enjoyed under the several forms of the Episcopal,
Presbyterian, Methodist, and Roman Catholic churches. The invalid will
here find a home in his sojourn, where he will meet with some of the
advantages which distinguish the more cultivated circles of northern
society.
The sportsman, with his line and gun, can satisfy his largest desires in
the way of game and angling. The boatman has a spacious harbor and the
broad Atlantic open to him for health and pleasure, though it must be
confessed that _good boats_ are in great demand without a supply.
The active, agile “_Indian Pony_,” is a luxury to those who seek health
in horsemanship. In the neighborhood, on the estate of Capt. Hanham, of
the ordnance department, are springs, which are alleged to contain
mineral waters; and to which invalids sometimes ride in a conveyance the
proprietor has had fitted up, and runs for that purpose.
And then pleasure excursions over the beach are frequent. A boatman with
his crew are secured the day beforehand, a party having been made up for
such an expedition.
The boatman and crew are usually negroes. The party having provided
themselves with a lunch, apparatus for making coffee, knives and forks,
and other necessary and useful articles for an oyster pic-nic, embark in
the morning. They wend their way across the harbor, debark, and arrange
matters so as that the scattered fragments of the expedition shall be
gathered at the proper time and place, to partake of the refreshments,
and then disperse,--some for the light-house, and others for the
quarry--while the boat’s crew are left to collect oysters, and gather
fuel for the roast on the beach.
When the repast has been finished, the party return, loaded with
specimens of rocks and natural history, fatigued, indeed, but gratified
and benefited. This excursion is both pleasant and useful; and should
the resort to this watering place for health increase as it has been
doing, there doubtless will be afforded greater facilities for more
extended and healthful water excursions: such expeditions, whether for
shell or fish, in this climate being healthful and pleasant. Ordinarily,
exposure does not induce colds, and may be taken without risk.
The moonlight walks, are truly delightful beyond description. Those who
reside at the north, and have never beheld, can have no adequate
conception of a moonlight scene on the coast of Florida. A recent writer
thus speaks of it: “The nocturnal aspect of the heavens differs from a
northern one, in the same manner that two paintings may differ, the
warmth and richness of the one contrasting with the coldness and poverty
of the other.” It is no unusual thing for ladies to appear abroad on the
public promenade, in their light, loose, flowing dresses, without shawl
or bonnet, with denuded neck and arms, till near midnight, and not
suffer the least risk or inconvenience. Nature, in silence, majesty, and
beauty, invites her children to enjoy her moonlight luxuries. She fans
them with soft and fragrant breezes. She allures them into the open air,
and charms them with the gorgeous magnificence of the nocturnal scene,
in which every object, earth, sea, and sky, are made to glow in rich and
pure effulgence. Who can restrain himself from the enjoyment of health
and exercise, amid such attractions? and that, too, without peril from
evening dews and tainted atmosphere?
The maiden and her lover, the matron and her spouse, the youth and
children, alike participate in the enjoyment of these natural luxuries;
and make the welkin ring at midnight often, with the merry peal of joy
and life, or with the notes of music, accompanied with the soft
mellifluous strains of the guitar and viol.
There are various customs, relics of Popish superstition and Spanish
practice, yet prevalent in the city.
CARNIVAL.
Carnival is here observed, though not with its ancient excess of folly.
This is a religious festival, observed in Roman Catholic countries, as a
season of feasting, by which another religious festival called Lent is
introduced. It is usually celebrated “by feasts, operas, balls,
concerts, &c.” In this city it is celebrated by masquerade dances by
night, idle and frivolous street sport, in processions of vagrant men
and boys, disguised in masks and grotesque array by daylight.
A most ridiculous burlesque is exhibited in honor of St. Peter, the
fisherman of Galilee, by which his professional skill in the use of the
net is attempted to be illustrated. This is the closing farce of the
feast of carnival. The description of this, as it passed under the eye
of the author at the very last carnival, may suffice to give a stranger
some idea of its folly.
As I passed along one of the narrow streets of the city, my attention
was arrested by the various exclamations and boisterous cries of a
motley crowd of black and white, who thronged the street, occasionally
surging to the right hand and left.
I was at first at a loss to account for it. On a nearer approach, I
perceived two half-grown men heading a rabble of boys and others, with
the face masked and concealed, and the person attired in a coarse,
shabby fisher’s dress. Over the shoulder of each was flung a common
Spanish net. Whenever a boy black or white came within range of a cast,
the net was suddenly spread, and thrown over the lad’s head so as to
inclose his person. There was seldom more than one throw of the net; and
if it were not successful, it was seldom repeated on the same
individual. Thus the streets were beset till the farce--the solemn
farce--in illustration of the call of Peter to become a “fisher of men”
was ended.
SHERIVAREE.
On an evening after the celebration of the nuptials of an inhabitant of
the city, who has been before married, and thus emerges from a state of
widowhood, the welkin is made to ring with a most discordant concert of
voices, horns, tin pans, and other boisterous sounds. It is an
excessively annoying exhibition, to say nothing of its ill-manners, and
gross violation of the peace and good order of society. The whole city
is usually disturbed by such riot and confusion, as in any orderly
community would consign the perpetrators to a guardhouse, or prison,
till they had taken some practical lessons in decency. This is what is
here termed Sherivaree. The residence of the newly married pair is beset
by the rabble in some cases, till it is bought off with money, or
whisky.
There are some other customs and practices growing out of the foreign
extraction of the city, and connected with religious festivals, and
which are the relics of the past, that are now passing rapidly away.
FACILITIES OF COMMUNICATION.
There are two routes, by which invalid strangers from the north may
reach this city.
The one is direct by sea, from either Charleston or New-York; the other
is by the inland steam and stage route. The former is occasional; the
latter is always available, though there is some prospect that a direct
communication will be opened, and sustained between this city and
Charleston ere long.
The voyage from New-York, by sailing or steam-packet, through to
Charleston or Savannah, is the most reliable and expeditious. Twice a
week, steamboats connect between Savannah and the St. John’s River, at
Picolata. The distance from Picolata to St. Augustine, is over land, and
about eighteen miles. This distance is overcome by stage-coach, and a
new and convenient omnibus the present proprietor of the line, Mr.
Bridier, has just had completed for that route. Passengers are met by
these conveyances, and usually reach St. Augustine by 4 o’clock P. M.,
and often about noon. There is an inland steam connection between
Charleston, S. C., and Savannah, Ga., with which the Florida boats
connect twice in a week.
The most expeditious and economical route to Florida is that by which
the traveler takes passage direct from New-York to Savannah, where he
will be received by the steamer, with his baggage, and brought into
Florida and landed within eighteen miles of St. Augustine; the distance
to which, from Savannah, is 218 miles.
The passage from Savannah, especially over the waters of the noble river
of the St. John’s, is pleasant and instructive. The lover of nature--the
curious stranger--may each be gratified. In passing along this route,
the traveler will get a “bird’s-eye view” of a considerable portion of
the southern country, on the seaboard. The plantations--marshes--and
peculiar varieties of trees, among which the noted cabbage-tree will be
conspicuous--creeks--inlets--and the various specimens of natural
history--the alligator--and peculiar species of water-fowl met with--and
the various contrasts between northern and southern habits, as presented
in agricultural life--will be novelties, more or less interesting and
instructive to the curious traveler. Many prejudices will be
dissipated--many errors will be corrected--many contrasts will be
presented.
FINIS.
* * * * *
FOOTNOTES:
[1] TRANSLATION.--“Don Ferdinand the Sixth being King of
Spain, and the Field Marshal, Don Alonzo Fernandos de Herida being
Governor and Captain General of this place, St. Augustine of Florida
and its province, this fortress was finished in the year 1756. The
works were directed by the Capt. Engineer, Don Pedro de Brazas y
Garay.”--_See Williams’s Hist. Flor._
[2] Sprague’s Hist. War in Florida.
[3] Bauer.
[4] Johnson’s Life of General Green.
[5] As there are some slight variations among historians in respect
to the order of the events in the destruction and overthrow of the
colony on the St. John’s and of this massacre, I have inclined to the
numerical preponderance of historical proof, inclining to Bancroft,
reconciling the several particulars.
[6] Williams.
[7] Bancroft’s Hist. U. S. A.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Family Library.
[10] Cohen.
[11] Stephen’s Hist. Geo., art. in Southern Quarterly; April No. 1848.
[12] Spanish accounts say less than this.
[13] It is more than probable that the American government connived
at, if it did not encourage, these transactions.--EDITOR.
[14] It is well known that the Spanish governor of West Florida
attempted to withhold from the United States the public papers,
and that Governor Jackson was under the necessity of resorting to
compulsory measures to obtain them.
The same disposition was exhibited by the governor of the East.
Captain Hanham had been appointed sheriff of East Florida, and was
dispatched for St. Augustine, and required to be there in seventeen
days. He arrived within the given time, and applied to Governor
Coppinger for the public records. The governor declined, and gave him
to understand that he should resist his authority. Understanding that
a vessel lay in the offing ready to receive the papers and convey them
to Cuba, Hanham forced his way into the governor’s room. There he
found the papers nearly all packed in eleven strong boxes. He seized
them all, and delivered them over into the hands of the collector
of the United States. It was afterwards found that the papers thus
rescued were of the greatest importance to the United States.
These summary proceedings created an excitement at the time, which
however soon passed away.
[15] This was told the author as coming from the lips of the man who
was the subject of this anecdote, who still lives.
[16] Author of a standard work on climate, and of the highest
professional authority.
[17] There are now points in South Florida in a tropical climate,
where preparations are being made for the accommodation of invalid
strangers. The banks of the Indian River, St. Lucia Sound, and the
Miami, possess advantages over any other place in this country.
[18] The region of fruit of tropical growth is clearly defined by the
appearance and change in the vegetable kingdom, especially by the
mangrove tree.
The eye will detect the line of demarcation, as one sails along Indian
River northward. The Table No. IV. indicates the temperature of the
climate where this region begins.
End of Project Gutenberg's Sketches of St. Augustine, by R. K. Sewall