24 ISLES OF SUMMER. 
vegétation, where nature seemed to be reveling in a perfect wil- 
derness of beauty, and nothing was wanting, unless perhaps an 
occasional. rocky bluff and mountain peak to give more variety 
and sublimity to the scenc. The clear sky and balmy air wero 
in perfect 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 — 
whole blue dome of heaven, with all its rich adornment of sun- 
set clouds gorgeously illumined, was more perfectly reflected in 
the still clear water than the author ever saw it before—sare 
once only on the river St. John’s, in the British province 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, indels 
ibly pictured upon the memory. 
As we neared Fernandina, we passed the Great and Little 
Cumberland islands. The largest is said to be from twenty-five 
to thirty miles long, and two to three miles wide. It abounds 
with game, including hundreds of deer, while fish are very 
abundant in the surrounding waters. 
In full view from Cumberland Sound, which separates it from 
Fernandina, still stand the roofless and windowless walls of what 
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 
deathless song and enduring story. It lies between the calm 
and healthy waters like an island of the blessed, and the soft. 
