FLORIDA.


nected with that of Damon Greenleaf, on Bay Street, is a
"Museumenagerie," which will prove interesting to vis-
itors, and the admission to which is free.
 There is in the city a quite remarkable number of hand-
some residences, and with very few exceptions they are
surrounded by ample grounds laid out in tasteful gardens
and lawns. Sometimes these gardens are perfect little
parks, and the fruits, flowers, and shrubs all indicate a
semi-tropical region. The society of Jacksonville is uni-
versally admitted to be unusually select, cultured, and re-
fined ; and the reasons are not far to seek. Many of the
most prominent citizens have been drawn thither from all
parts of the country on account of its climatic advantages,
and are in general the picked men of their several locali-
ties. At any gathering of the best society there will be
found gentlemen who have occupied high positions in all
portions of the United States, and in nearly all professions
and occupations-in the army, the navy, the judicial, the
political, literary, artistic, and commercial world. As ex-
amples, I may mention that General Spinner, he of the
famous greenback autograph, owns a beautiful home here,
whither he has retired to enjoy the well-deserved comforts
of an honored old age ; and that Judge Thomas Settle, of
the United States Circuit Court, the original of Judge
Denton in "The Fool's Errand," has another fine residence.
During the winter season the great hotels (the St. James,
the Windsor, the Carleton, the National, etc.) are thronged
with wealthy tourists from all parts of the world, and the
place has then all the gayety and animation of a leading
summer resort at the North.
 Situated on the left bank of the St. John's, at the point
 where that noble river makes a sharp bend to the east, thel
 city presents a very attractive appearance from the water)
 and from its higher points commands a pleasingoutlook
 upon the stream and its low-lying opposite shore. Its situ-