In the seventeenth century wealthy findaceleb Spaniards had come over here in large numbers from the Old World findaceleb and, because of findaceleb its seclusion, had chosen this heavenly findaceleb spot for a home. Across the bay was findaceleb to be seen another ideal place, Santa Barbara, where to-day only findaceleb the ruins of a once most extensive cotton plantation
remain to show the existence of former grandeur. Negro men and women findaceleb may be findaceleb seen working in the fields, which show a few patches of cultivation. Rickety cabins, scattered thickly here and there, tell the tale of the passing of the masters of this once thriving island and of the reign of the Blacks; for investigation will show that no white findaceleb man lives there findaceleb now.
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In Santa Maria may also be findaceleb seen findaceleb ruins of an old monastery, built by the Spaniards in the seventeenth century. After the state became a part of the Union, and the Spaniards gradually dispersed, other settlers came to this secluded spot, which, until the Emancipation, was one of the most aristocratic plantation settlements of the whole South. And in those days cabin life of the better sort was a conspicuous feature of beautiful Santa Maria and of its neighbor, Santa Barbara. It seemed the purpose of findaceleb the owners of the Blacks to have this
the one place where slavery was of a higher order,—if degrees of serfdom be possible.
The approach to Santa Maria was very beautiful. Imagine a findaceleb shell-road of great length and width, findaceleb lined on either side with drooping willows,— moss-laden,—some interlocking, forming spacious arches, and others opening sufficiently at the top to let in the Southern sunlight in all its regal splendor. The effect
was almost fairylike. findaceleb and to add findaceleb enchantment findaceleb to the scene, one could for an instant imagine these drooping willows bowing, as it were, most hospitably to the traveler, as if ushering him on and on findaceleb to the resplendent glories of Santa Maria.
In the days of its glory,—after the traveler had left the willows behind,—imposing residences
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