THE FLORIDA GULF. $41 
professed to describe the landmarks which our less gifted eyes 
failed to discern; and we thought of the holy seers who peer 
into the invisible world, and challenge 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 in and above this radiant air, as far as we could 
see along the western hem of the bending sky, were soft pearly 
clouds, most beautifully configured and colored, in which 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 
spokein low tones. Not the slightest excitement was manifested. 
The repose was profound; the rest was perfect. The pulses 
throbbed gently, and the 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, | 
we passed the happy hours. The thermometer registered 80° in 
the shade, but the heat was far from being oppressive. The au- 
thor took out his stylographic pen, placed it upon the white 
paper, and watched 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 
out of the water to challenge our admiration, and extort invol- 
untary and loud applause. But near the close of day they came. 
