852 ISLES OF SUMMER. 



US to and from the Isles of Summer were so far homogeneous, 

 that none had occasion to complain that the hilarity and good 

 fellowship of a few were carried so far into the night as to en- 

 croach upon hours generally devoted to sleep. 



Sailing in the path of an ocean current which furnished our 

 ship with a part of its motive power, and aided by a wind that, 

 while it warmed, wafted us on our way, wc Avero not long in 

 reaching the Florida coast. The trip was also materially short- 

 ened because health and happiness winged the flying hours. 



About four weeks after our last arrival in Florida, we proceeded 

 by rail from Jacksonville to Fernandina, and intercepted the 

 steamship City of Austin, Capt. Stevens, of the C. 11. Mallory 

 & Co.'s New York and Nassau line, which, on its way to New 

 York, had stopped there for passengers and freight. Wc found 

 it a good ship, well officered, manned and equipped, though the 

 closing of the Eoyal Victoria Hotel caused it to be crowded with 

 passengers, but as during the voyage the weather was pleasant, 

 little inconvenience was experienced from that cause, the cases of 

 sea sickness being very few in number and mild in type. The pas- 

 sengers spent the days upon deck, and many of the evenings also, 

 notwithstanding the heavy dews. The profound mystery which 

 seems ever to brood over the ocean and penetrate its profound 

 depths, is greatly intensified at night. We were much impressed 

 with it as our gallant ship tore and leaped into the dark, leaving 

 behind a brilliant but troubled path of foam and fire. Around 

 it the phosphorescent light gleamed in the waves and sparkled 

 in the spray. A halo of white and luminous foam girdled the 

 ship, which, with its long and brilliant train, made it seem, 

 prehaps, to the marine monsters miles below under its keel, like 

 a strange comet of the sea. 



While sitting in the evening upon one of the camp stools with 

 which the deck of the Austin Avas supplied. Captain Stevens oc- 



