Abstract
Every family of mankind refers fondly to a Golden Age, when peace and innocence reigned on earth. The lost paradise is no monopoly of the Christian, of the Greek or even of the Old World, since the Inca and the Aztec were equally confident in the truth of his traditions describing it. When Columbus compared the happy conditions he observed in the islands to which he came, with those of Europe, he declared the inhabitants were close to the angels in disposition as well as in geography, and he confidently looked for his Blessed Mountain in all his wanderings. When the French came into the mouth of the St. Johns, and were hospitably entertained, Ribault says: "We entered and explored their country hereabouts, which is the fairest fruitfulest and pleasantest of all the world, abounding in honey, venison, wild game, forests, woods of all sorts and vines with grapes. And the sight of the fair meadows is a pleasure inexpressible." Moreover, the inhabitants seemed hospitable and kind beyond all experience, while in dignity and fair speech they were "both courtier-like and wise."
Recommended Citation
Harrison, Benjamin
(1924)
"Home Life of the Florida Indians,"
Florida Historical Quarterly: Vol. 3:
No.
1, Article 7.
Available at:
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/fhq/vol3/iss1/7
