25th. "State the most direct route to Braidentown." By rail to Cedar Key, the terminus of railroad communication, thence by the boats of the Tampa Steamship Company to this place. A boat leaves Cedar Key on Monday and Friday afternoon of each week, and arrives at Braidentown early on the following morning. Fare, $8. The above is the advertised programme, but it is sometimes changed to suit wind and weather. Captains Jackson and Doane are thorough seamen, and do everything in their power to render passengers comfortable. Whatever may be the opinion of travelers in regard to the speed and accommodations of the boats, they will unanimously agree that the fare--$8 for a distance of less than 100 miles--is _first-class_. A line of light draught, modern-built and comfortably fitted-up steamboats, between Cedar Key and Braidentown, would be liberally patronized. Shall we have the boats? Echo repeats the question. CHAPTER VII. FLORIDA LETTER PUBLISHED IN A CALIFORNIA PAPER--EDITORIAL REMARKS--THE "FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH"--THE MANATEE RIVER AND ITS SURROUNDINGS--TROPICAL FRUITS--GAME AND FISH--THE SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE--LETTER TO THE EDITRESS OF THE "PHILADELPHIA SUNDAY TIMES"--THE LAND OF PROMISE--SUNSTROKE AND HYDROPHOBIA UNKNOWN--COOL NIGHTS DURING THE "DOG DAYS"--PREPARING THE LAND AND PLANTING AN ORANGE GROVE--THE FLORIDA ORANGE--ROUTE TO THE MANATEE--CLIMATE OF THE GULF COAST OF SOUTH FLORIDA--RECORD OF THERMOMETER AND RAINFALL FOR THE YEAR 1880--NO FROST--REPORT IN RELATION TO THE EFFECTS OF THE FREEZE ON THE ATLANTIC COAST IN DECEMBER LAST. As the following letters and communications have a direct bearing on the Manatee region, the reader will pardon their republication. Among the chaff perchance may be found a few grains of information that will pay for the perusal. The first letter was written to a personal friend in the city of New York, who forwarded it to the San Francisco _Examiner_. It was first published in that paper with the following editorial remarks; "Old Californians are not unfamiliar with the name of Mr. Samuel C. Upham, an editor upon this coast in the early days, and, of late, the author of a work entitled _Voyage to California via Cape Horn, and Scenes in El Dorado in 1849 and 1850_. We are permitted to copy a letter from that gentleman, written in his humorous style, and addressed to an old Californian friend, which may prove of interest to others." PHILADELPHIA, _June 16th, 1879_.