Re-cession of Florida to Spain--Erection of the Parish Church--Change of flags.--1783-1821 100 CHAPTER XVII. Transfer of Florida to the United States--American occupation--Ancient buildings, &c. 106 CHAPTER XVIII. Present appearance of St. Augustine, as given by the author of Thanatopsis--Its climate and salubrity 110 CHAPTER XIX. St. Augustine in its old age.--1565-1868 118 THE HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY. The Saint Augustine of the present and the St. Augustine of the past, are in striking contrast. We see, to-day, a town less in population than hundreds of places of but few months' existence, dilapidated in its appearance, with the stillness of desolation hanging over it, its waters undisturbed except by the passing canoe of the fisherman, its streets unenlivened by busy traffic, and at mid-day it might be supposed to have sunk under the enchanter's wand into an almost eternal sleep. With no participation in the active schemes of life, and no hopes for the future; with no emulation, and no feverish visions of future greatness; with no corner lots on sale or in demand; with no stocks, save those devoted to disturbers of the public peace; with no excitements and no events; a quiet, undisturbed, dreamy vision of still life surrounds its walls, and creates a sensation of entire repose, pleasant or otherwise, as it falls upon the heart of the weary wanderer sick of life's busy bustle, or upon the restless mind of him who looks to nothing as life except perpetual, unceasing action--the one rejoicing in its rest, the other chafing under its monotony. And yet, about the old city there clings a host of historic associations, that throw around it a charm which few can fail to feel.