“‘I see with us to-day one to whom I feel I owe much; I refer to Dr. G. Durrant, of New York. I had a severe attack of illness last May, but did not know until long after it was over how near to death I was. To his untiring and faithful attention, both as a good friend and as a skilled physician, I owe my recovery, perhaps my life, and it gives me pleasure to take this occasion to express my confidence in him and my thanks to him. “‘These beautiful flowers on my left came to me from my little grandson, and I bespeak in his behalf from you all the love and affection which you have shown to me, and express the hope that in days to come, when I am no more with you, he may be one of yourselves and a co-worker in the enterprises which all the employees of our companies sustain by their energies and their work. “‘These flowers on my right come from those at our New York office, some of whom cannot be with us to-day in person, but who are with us in spirit and love and testify their memory of the occasion by this beautiful remembrance. “‘Mr. and Mrs. Frank Q. Brown, of Boston, have presented me with this cane, which I appreciate very highly, but will hope that I may not need to have immediate use for it, though if that time should come it will be a staff upon which I will gladly lean. Mr. Brown is now one of us, and though he has but lately come among us, I am sure you will all welcome the President of the Florida Southern Railway in our ranks.’ [Applause.] “It was the happiest of seasons for Mr. Plant, and his face beamed brightly with the light of profound gladness. “All day there was a stream of distinguished callers, who congratulated him on the day with good wishes for many returns. Letters and telegrams and cablegrams were read, all bearing the hearty congratulations of friends and employees.” [Illustration: text decoration] [Illustration: text decoration] CHAPTER XIV. Tampa Bay Hotel, One of the Modern Wonders of the World--Its Architecture, Furniture, Works of Art, Decorations, Tapestries, Paintings, Inlaid Table and Three Ebony and Gold Cabinets from the Tuileries, a Sofa and Two Chairs once Owned by Marie Antoinette--The Dream of De Soto Realized--A Palace of Art for the Delight and Joy of Those who are in Health, and an Elysium for the Sad and Sorrowful. The following account of the Tampa Bay Hotel, from the pen of W. C. Prime, is taken from the New York _Journal of Commerce_: