Glass. A Winter in the Land of Summer The Paradise of the East Coast, on the Far-famed Indian River / The CHAUTAUQUA of the TROPICS anZ MELBOURNE. Florida E. P. BRANCH. President. - - Melbourne. Fla. W. T. WELLS. Vice-President. - L-ake George. N. Y. DR. W. L. DAVIDSON, Supt. of Instruction. Cuyahoga Falls. O. ^ ^ MELBOURNE BEACH. INDIAN RIVER. FLORIDA. Surf Bathing in February. P, MELBOURNE AND THE INDIAN RIVER COUNTRY. THE Far-Famed Indian River is a body of salt water extending north and south along the central eastern coast of Florida, for 140 miles, being connected with the Atlantic Ocean by a number of inlets. The river is from one to five miles broad and of an average depth of about ten feet. About midway between Jacksonville and Miami, the northern and southern termini of the Florida East Coast Railway, the town of Melbourne sits enthroned upon the high bluff shore of this finest river in Florida. The location is ideal, as the river here is two miles broad and the peninsula between river and ocean is narrow, thus giving to the town the benefits of seaside and of still water. High rolling pine lands extend for miles to the west, back of the town— the health-giving balsam from the trees loading the air with its delicious perfume. The Gulf .Stream with a constant temperature of seventy degrees, flowing near the ocean beach, maintains an even and delightful temi)erature almost the year through. The Southeast Trade Winds blow from the broad ocean across the peninsula and river and bathe the high table-lands in their invigorating breath. On the south boundary of Melbourne is a charming little stream called Crane Creek, and travelers have said that in all their wanderings they never saw more beautiful tropical scenery than is to be found here. The Indian River Country is blessed with an abundance of good water— that from the driven wells being slightly charged with iron, and consequently very strengthening— and that from the Artesian wells being a mild sulphur water, which is specially beneficial, both for drink- ing and bathing. MCLBOURNC, FLORIDA. Starting for a Deer Hunt. THE CHAUTAUQUA OF THE TROPICS. FOR three years there was held at Melbourne a Chautauqua covering a week. The last two years two weeks were filled, and splendid results followed. Great interest has been awakened, and manj' visitors have suggested that the surroundings of Melbourne are unsurpassed as the seat of a great winter Chautauqua, which would attract nation-wide attention. Here one finds the tropics in earnest, and on reaching Melbourne, one feels that Florida has been really entered. There is no disappointment such as one experiences in touch- ing the northern edge of the state, where wastes of sand greet the eye, and the absence of the orange is most noticeable. Here oranges abound, great fields of pineapjjles glisten in the sun, the graceful banana grows to magnificent height, and bears luxuriantly, while the royal tangle of Crane Creek in its wild and weird picturesqueness could hardly be duplicated in the heart of Africa. Standing on a bluflf, thirty feet above the water (a most unusual thing for Florida), one looks across the majestic Indian River, here nearly two miles wide. Jaunty sailboats, steam or naphtha launches, carry you to the fringe of shore beyond, a walk of half a mile through pineapple fields brings j-ou to the surf-washed shores of the Atlantic, a beach unsurpassed for bathing, the water warmed by the flow of the Gulf Stream. In the middle of February it is not unusual to pluck oranges from the trees, strawberries from the vines, and plunge into the old Atlantic all in the same afternoon. Think of that, ye dwellers in the March ice fields of the North. Homes line the bluff along the Indian River, and the shell streets reach back to the pine forests. Stn/i art- the pleasant surroundings of the Chautauqua of th?Tropics. Melbourne is 200 miles south of Jacksonville. A Chautauqua Park with a commodious modern auditorium will be ready for session of 1902. Boarding accommodations can be secured in pleasant hotels or home-like cottages at from $7 to $15 per week. Dr. W. L. Davidson, one of the best known and most successful Chautauqua managers in America, has for three years prepared the program. The best talent in all lines which genius can devise or money procure will appear in March, 1902. Great lectures, splendid concerts, school work in many lines, a fully equipped and attractive Chau- tauqua. A place for thoughtful jjeople who want the air and sunshine and rest of Florida, and }-et who are averse to the expense or the enervating life of the crowded tourists' hotel. Here genuine rest can be mixed with intellectual tiplifts. Low excursion rates from all points dur- ing the season. It gives the Board of Directors great ])leasure to announce that the Rev. Dr. Davidson is now permanently connected with this Association. For all i)articulars and detailed illustrated program, address, DR. W. L. DAVIDSON. Supt. of Instruction. C. J. F. CAMPBELL. Secy.. Cuyahoga Falls. Ohio. Melbourne. Fla. MELBOURNE. INDIAN RIVER. FLORIDA. Looking South from Hotel. SOME OF THOSE WHO HAVE APPEARED ON THE PROGRAM : Prof. E. B. Wakefield. Mrs. F. P. Gaffney. Rev. Wm. Shaw. Rev. E. P. Herrick. Rev. J. J. Irvine. Mrs. Dr. Gillen. Dr. Jno. F. Forbes. Rev. H. \V. Little. Rev. Sylvester Weeks. Mr. Edward P. Gaston. Rev. S. D. Paine. Mr. Edward L. Barker. Dr. H. R. Palmer. Prof. Chas. Lane. Dr. E. L. Eaton. Prof. H. V. Richards. Hon. W. L. Woodcock. Dr. Jno. W. Sanborn. Rev. R. J. Morgan. Prof. H. E. Stockbridge. Messrs. Gorton & Smith. The Chicago Glee Club. The Ceciliau Lady Quartette. Mrs. Olivia S. Hall. Mrs. Belle K. Adams. And that " Prince of Chautauqua Lecturers' and "Greatest of Chautauqua Managers,' Rev. Dr. Wilbur L. Davidson. And manv others. These names are an indication of the high class of talent we will have in the future. MELBOURNE. FLORIDA. The Trail on the Bluff. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 014 433 803 ^