68 LETTERS FROM FLORIDA.

the surrounding country around Lake Santa F6, Samp-


son, and Kingsley, is high land, or


"bluffs "-fertile,


not foggy and damp, and very salubrious and delight-
ful. Having dreamed over these pleasant descriptions,
I was quite eager to see with my own eyes, and test the


truth of what I had heard.


" the best-laid schemes


mice and men gang


aft agley


" and


on reaching


Baldwin, the morning trains had just been discontinued
for the season, and by this change I should be subject


to many delays and inconveniences.


So that pleasure


must


be laid


aside for another winter


and, before


speaking


of Rollestown,


permit a few words which


should have been added to the last letter.
 Letters requesting more minute particulars about


Florida are received daily


and I am therefore more


than


ever anxious to


give no false impressions,


would avoid


sient visits, publish


the injury done by those who, on tran-


"overwrought, visionary letters.


In their enthusiasm they are tempted to paint only the


brightest


picture,


overlooking the


real,


practical, stubborn facts in the case,


which those who


come every winter, or have become residents, see and
fully understand.
 I have endeavored not to err in that direction, and


honestly do not think I have.


It is not


Florida as


she now is, but what I truly believe she can be made,


that I have endeavored to show


and, with her natu-


ral advantages of soil and climate, this change can be
effected much more readily than in most new lands.


course, I take it for granted


good sense will teach them


that the readers'


that the work which must