24 ISLES or SUMMEE. 



vegetation, where nature seemed to be reveling in a j^erfect wil- 

 derness of beauty, and nothing was wanting, unless perhaj)S an 

 occasional rocky bluff and mountain peak to give more variety 

 and sublimity to the scene. The clear sky and balmy air were 

 in i^erfect accord with the beautiful panorama that opened con- 

 stantly before us as we glided over the quiet water. Towards 

 the lower end of this charming route, near the close of day, the 

 Avhole blue dome of heaven, with all its rich adornment of sun- 

 set clouds gorgeously illumined, Avas more perfectly reflected in 

 the still clear water than the author ever saw it before — save 

 once only on the river St. John's, in the British jarovince of New 

 Brunswick. That surpassed anything of the sort he had ever 

 seen or conceived, and this, on the whole, excelled that, for soon 

 the side-wheels of the boat caused great circling eddies- of skies, 

 frescoed and wonderfully and indescribably colored, to follow 

 the steamer, until gradually, as the daylight vanished, this re- 

 markable phenomenon passed away — remaining, however, indel- 

 ibly pictured iipon the memory. 



As we ueared Fernandina, we passed the Great and Little 

 Cumberland islands. The largest is said to be from twenty-five 

 to thn-ty miles long, and two to three miles wide. It abounds 

 with game, including hundreds of deer, while fish are very 

 abundant in the surrounding Avaters. 



In full view from Cumberland Sound, which separates it from 

 Fernandina, still stand the roofless and wmdowless walls of Avhat 

 was once one of the most splendid residences of the Southern 

 States and perhaps of the New World. Deserted by its owner 

 during the war, some miscreant's torch made it a ruin. 



This island has a history, and romance and poetry will un- 

 doubtedly hereafter draw from it inspiration. It will live in 

 dcatliless song and enduring story. It lies between tlie cu. 

 and healthy waters like an island of the blessed, and the soft 



