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48	MEXICAN	GULF	COAST ILLUSTRATED. .
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OCEAN SPRINGS.
Ocean Springs is situated on one of the highest points on Mississippi Sound. Like most of the Coast towns it stands on a peninsula. This strip of land is formed by the Sound on the south, Biloxi Bay on the west, and Fort Bayou on the north. Deer Island, a narrow wooded strip of land eight miles long, is immediately in frout of it. The location is a charming one; the land upon which it stands is high and undulating, with numerous eligible sites for residences. Most of its streets and dwellings are handsomely shaded by live oaks, magnolias, bay trees, cedars, pines and other evergreen trees. There are a considerable number of fine residences along the different water fronts, and on its residence streets, besides many cottages. There are many pleasant homes and a number of line drives in and around the town. (The bay drive, shown in the engraving of a group of Coast views, is one oF the most charming and picturesque on the Coast. One of the special attractions of the place is the justly famous Rose Garden of a gentleman and his estimable wife whose northern residence is in Chicago, but whose southern home (partially shown in the accompanying engraving), in the midst of large and highly improved grounds. It is not only a source of pleasure to the owners, but an object of delight to scores and hundreds of visitors and tourists, as well as to permanent, residents of Ocean Springs. At all seasons, and almost continuously throughout the year, this charming spot is “a thing of beauty and a joy forever.” The frost-king occasionally mars its beauty for a few days only;, as it quickly responds to the friendly influences of a genial atmosphere and life-giving sunshine, and assumes its wonted garb of hundreds of lovely tints and forms, distilling an untold wealth of fragrance. In the midst of this Eden-like spot stands the dwelling of the owners, Hon. and Mrs. T. A. E. Hol-comb—a home of taste, culture and refinement, where hospitality is dispensed with a generous hand.	A
(^Ocean Springs, as has already been mentioned, was the initial settlement made by the French on the CoastT^For twenty years it was the.seat of colonial power, from which exploraETons were carried on and other colonies founded. For the greater portion of two centuries it was a mere hamlet whose Cl}ief industry consisted in burning charcoal. Within a decade it has waked to^new life and energy. Its beautiful location, healthfulness, and genial climate have attracted the attention not only of persons of means in the Crescent City, but of many others from Northern States. It has taken on a new growth ; the stirring indications of progress which are seen