Page:The Homes of the New World- Vol. III.djvu/305

Rh invigorating sea-breezes. St. Augustin lies somewhat to the south of New Orleans, but has a far more salubrious climate.

It was not until the year 1819 that Florida passed from the dominion of the Spaniards to that of the United States, and it became united to these, as an independent state, in the year 1845, but is said not yet to contain a greater population than about 80,000 whites. The Indians and the insalubrity of the swampy soil have retarded, and still retard, the cultivation of the country. But in the northwestern portion of the State the land lies higher, and is more cultivated, and has two increasing cities; the political capital, is Taleehassee; with beautiful plantations, villas, gardens, and, as I have been informed, pleasant domestic and social life amid that lovely summer warm scenery. And where the Anglo-American comes, there always come at the same time happy domestic life, friendly, social intercourse, and every comfort of life.

All these we enjoy also in this kind home, although joy is not properly at home here. The eldest daughter of the family, a beautiful, young, newly married lady in the bloom of her life and her maternal joy, died lately .in giving birth to her second child, and the grief of this weighs heavily on the mind of her mother. A splendid little grandson, very like his grandmother, and full of life, cannot console her; and her husband and the other children participate in her sorrow. The whole family has an expression of so much good-heartedness and gentleness, that one sees plain enough that the slaves cannot suffer. But the drought is fearful; the maize plants on this plantation are withered in the sand, of which this plantation has more than its ordinary share; and the harvest of this year wears a mournful appearance. It is now more than four months since I have seen a cloudy day. Even in this beautiful Florida, life is heavy and dry as regards the poor children of earth.