Nowhere can the capitalist find so large a scope for his speculations, and nowhere can the poor man find a better market for the labour of his hand or the fruits of his brain; with industry and prudence he may be assured of present comfort and future prosperity--limitless prosperity, provided also that he be energetic and wise.
The development of Florida has generally been carried on by the northern people. Everywhere throughout the entire state they are planning fresh improvements: draining swampy lands, fertilising the soil, and experimentalising with strange crops, building railways, cities, mills, and churches--in fact, endeavouring to cultivate, and turn to good account the most neglected and wildest regions; and everywhere their endeavours are crowned with success, for on every side you find evidence of northern capital and northern enterprise. No one who thinks of settling and establishing a permanent residence in this “flowery land,” can do better than consult Barbour’s _Florida_, from which he can extract all he desires to know.
Mr. Barbour has visited all parts, and penetrated the remotest recesses of the state, and has made himself thoroughly acquainted with the resources of every special district, and has boiled his varied experiences down, and reproduced them in the aforenamed volume. He gives no advice, makes no attempt to influence settlers in their choice of a location; he merely states facts, gives a descriptive account of each district--its capabilities, its climate, its soil, and gives a list of such cereals, fruits, flowers, and vegetables, etc. as have been, or may be, most successfully cultivated in each place; thus imparting most valuable information to those who most need it, never misleading the inquiring mind or twisting the imagination awry.
I have no time to consider the subject of Florida so particularly as I desire to do; I can only generalise, as a rule, and visit such special places as are easy of access, and are, or are likely to become, places of popular resort, either for the invalid or pleasure-seeker; my object is to enjoy the season, and see what there is for other people to enjoy.
Some transient visitors who have eyes yet no eyes, sensibilities without sense, give a brief but sweeping opinion of Florida, and say--