From The Sunny South

Thomakvii.i.k, u.orgift, Marcli 1 1K80. Editor Coxwier .--Home again. After rcturning to the United Staten we went up the St. John's river, stopping at Green Cove SpriDgs, St. Augustine, Palatka, and Sandford, passing many places of note. At Glen Cove Springs is located the large Sulphur springs which discharge abuat 3,000 gallons of water per minuto. St. Augustine is the quaintest and perhaps the most thoroughly old fashioned place in this country; its population is about three thousand ; it is only separated from the ocean by Anastasia Island, which partly obscured the view. "The aspect of St. Augustine" says Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe, " is quaintand strange, in harmony with its romantic history. It has no pretentionsto architectural riohness or beauty, and yet it is inipressive from its unlikeness to anything else in America. It is as if some little old, dead-alive Spanish town, with its fort andgateway, and Moorish bell towers, had broken loose, floated over here, and got stranded on a Band bank." One of the most interesting features of the town is the old Fort of San Marco, now Fort Marión. It was one hundred ycars in building, and wascompleted in 1756. The business streets are generally very narrow, (Katie and I shook hands across one of them. ) Can reach this place daily from Jacksonville, Fia.. Goingup the beautiful St John's river, you reach Tocsi, distant about fif'ty miles. Here you take the cars and reach St. Augustine, thirteen miles, in about two hours. The same night we arrived at St August ine the Yacht Club were holding their anni versary . Sail and row boats on the bay were lighted up with Chinese lanterns. In addition they had fire works and music on the water and it was a grand and novel sight to us. At first I didn't know but what it was on account of our arrival I The town of Palatka, the largest on the St. John's south of Jacksonville, is a finely located place. We stayed all night at Sandford. Here there is a good hotel. Coming down the river I shot an alligator, what most every one wants to do who comes to Florida. After doing the St. John's river, we pulled up at Jacksonville again, this is the headquarters as it were, of all Florida travel, it is the spot from whence all travelers make a point of departure. The first person I met after returning from the Bahatua Islands, with whom I was aoquainted, was Mr. Kufus Cate, and was glad to isce him. He has spent three winters in the south and was able to give me some valuable information, (besides loaning me same money,) as to my inteoded trip up the St. Johns. After I returned we made it oonvenient to come here together. Our meeting has been very agreeable to me. Mr. Cate, who will remain here for some time, is well and eüjoying his travels finely. My nextstopping place will be Nashville, Tenn. Thomasville, Ga., is two hundred miles from Savannah. It is situated on one of the highest points between the Atlantic Ooean and the Oulf of Mexico. It is sixty miles to the Gulf, being in latitude 30 40' north, and longitude 8 40' east. lts situatioo being dry and free from malaria, it is an excellent resort lor invalids. There are many pretty residences here surrounded by beautiful flower gardens. The natural drainage of the town is almost perfect. It is said there never was a case uf pulmonary tuberculosis in this section of country that oould be attributed to climatic influence. I can recommend tbis place above all others we have been in, the West Indies not exoepted, for persons troubled with weak lungs or consumption. Mr. Cate, who has been in every state of th Union, except two, and through Europe, is of the same opinión. In a radius of country containing fifty thousand people, there were but three cases of consumption reported for the year 1873. Several whom I know at Ann Arbor could doubtless receive great benefit by spending March and April here. This section of thecountry was last to free the slave, and not until Uncle Sam sent an agent here expresily, was it done. Katie has been happier than usual here, in consequence of finding five or six little girls here froui the north. It is said there are ten thousand northerners traveling through Florida and Georgia this winter, and the number it is thought will increase next year. Many are receiving great benefit in a health point of view, besides esoaping the cold and severo changes of the north. Katie retained her repataiion as a " first classailor " on our return voyage from the Dahawa Iglauds, and made herself generally useful amone the sick ladies (as all on the Bhip had to give up except one), for which she had raany compliments. I failed to " come to time " one meal, anl she had to biing rae a sea biscuiton deck. Neitherof us object to being back. to "ourown land" aain, the greatest and best of all. A word a to the hotels here. The Mitchell House is the best, and is managed by Mr. Fred. Richards, assisted by Mr. C. L. Porter, the genial and obliging ohief clerk. The weather is lovely here, and mocking birdt and robins fi 11 the air with music. Yours, etc..