tSE FLORIDA GULF. S4l 



professed to describe the landmarks which our less gifted eyea 

 failed to discern; and we thought of the holy seers who peer 

 into the invisible world, and cliallenge our doubting faith with 

 stories of spirit realms. A delicate blush, like that which lin- 

 gers where the sun has set, curtained with rosy light the vanished 

 land. Floating i]i and above this radiant air, as far as we could 

 see along the western hem of the bending sky, Avere soft pearly 

 clouds, most beautifully configured and colored, in Avhicli seemed 

 to flit the happy and viewless spirits of the air. Around us the 

 sea rolled in gentle ripples. Low, soothing sounds came to us 

 as our beautiful ship cleaved the slumbering waters. The wind 

 god breathed softly upon us from the south. So profound was 

 the calm repose, all the mighty forces of nature, that at times in 

 these latitudes make themselves felt and feared in the hurricane, 

 seemed to have been chloroformed to insure for us a safe and 

 pleasant voyage. None of our passengers were sick. A musing,, 

 dreamy spirit rested upon all. Most of the passengers were dur- 

 ing the day upon the main deck, sitting upon folding-chairs un- 

 der the awnings. Many mused in silence. Those who conversed 

 spoke in low tones. Not the slightest excitement was manifested. 

 The repose Avas profound; the rest was perfect. The pulses 

 throbbed gently, and tlie gentlest ripples masked the tides of 

 varied thought. In indolent repose, lulled by the softest sounds, 

 slightly rocked by the gentle undulations of the slumbering sea, 

 Ave passed the happy hours. The thermometer registered 80° in 

 the shade, but the heat Avas far from being oppressive. The au- 

 thor took out his stylographic pen, placed it upon the Avhite 

 paper, and Avatched it while it ran. 



The porpoises, whose gambols had given a pleasing variety to 

 our quiet enjoyments, no longer raced with our steamer or leaped 

 t)ut of the water to challenge our admiration, and extort invol- 

 untary and loud applause. But near the close of day they came 



