SOUTHERN MATRON. 257

A' shower came on before we reached town, hut even this was
not altogether to be deprecated. There were so many oppor-
tunities to show a kind, considerate attention, and to make one
feel as if one was all the world to a loving heart !

On the following morning we proceeded in Mr. Marion's car-
riage. Vegetation on the Cooper river varies from that on the
Ashley. Instead of wooded banks, long tracts of land are de-
voted to rice-culture. In the winter these appear dreary
enough, except to the planter, who sees a promise hidden to
common eyes, and to the sportsman, who detects game in ditches
and on banks. At some seasons of the year, those immense
fields are very attractive. More extended than the domains of
many a feudal baron, arranged with almost military order and
neatness, in spring the rich green of the rice-blades lies, as far
as the eye can reach, in velvet softness, while in autumn its
golden grains wave to the winds beneath the untiring sunshine.
