The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-10-07

some rsIer and less known objects in California
than the "gold diggings Business Of Importance
took me to B.nicis, from which place determined
to take horses and push up MspA Valley to the
volcanic region near Clear Lake, accomp panied by
DR.. Webb snd Mr. Thmber. to whom am ind bed
for tho meteorological and botanical collection thus
far made
/ had but q faint idea Of the spot we set cut to
visit, having met with no one who had been there
/ obtained some particulars, however, that came
second hand from gentleman who had visited tho
spot; ord 1t seemed generally knosn that there
WAS such place somewhere near Clear Lake; bat
how 10 reach there no one knew j fortunately met
gentleman residing in Napl Valley, who knew its
LEGALITY, and who agreed to accompany us, having
desire TO SOC II himself. Our party, therefore,
consistt Of four, together with man 70 take care
OF our animals
Our journey was up Nspa Valley some seventy
miles This is one of tie most agricultural districts
H. California, being plain, perfectly level the whole
distance, It's width for fifty miles up averages
sboui Il ur Iiles, when the mountain ranges which
bound il both sides diminish it to one mile.
Nara Creek is navigable for small vessels or steam
ers as far as the town Of Napa, twenty miles when
it diminisbes much, bat still winds It's way up the
guator portion of the valley. The whole O. this
beautiful valley is filed with gigantic oaks, thinly
scattered over its surface. Sometimes they are in
groups or in lines, as though planted by hand Bat
With The exception of these groves, they are just
thick enough for shade amt beauty, 20 that no
clearing OF land or choppiDg down is necessary
to lring the land under cwltivation lNgs por-
IN.
enormous crops Many Of the settlers here were old
troiIers from Missouri who found their way here
twelve or fifteen years ago, and being delighted with
The spot, took Californian wives and became perma-
nent settlers They then obi aimed very large tracts
Of land by the sale Of these lands now and the
proceeds of their crops, they have realized larg
fortunes. They treated us with much kindness, au
gave me the information desired to the objec
Of my search notwithstanding the wealth OF on
of these families, cannot refrain from repe sting an
ane cote, showing how old customs will continu,
with them few months since, one Of the
vas married, ard the neighbors within twelve o.
fifteen miles were invited on the occasion Of tn
marriage. After the ceremony was over, and til
guests had partaken of beautiful repase, fiddl
was introduced, when all Joined in the dance. AL
passed OF well, and the strangers who were present.
delighted with the backwoods hospitality Of the
family But the finale capped the climax, when
the groom took his hat and passed it round among
his guests for money to pay the fiddler.
acre year ago it was sold at IS and three
years previous it could have been mad for little or
Dothing can compare the whole Of this beautiful
district only to the highly cultivated parks lawns
Of England, which have required centuries to bring
to their present state.
AT the head Of the valley, ten miles from any
other house, found young man from Vermont,
whe had been there seven years He came across
farm and some 500 head Of cattle but the most in
teresting sight to me WAS to see on this verge Of
civilization, and in the very heart of the mountains
piano and shelves Of books.
A few miles beyond, We reached the last settlers
he, too, was New Highlander; but instead Of the
piano and books alluded to at the last rancho, he
bad wife and family, apgendages Of unqaesticn:
ably greater importance. Here we passed our third
night, and engaged the services Of Mcdonald, our
landlord, to guide W to Volcano, as he termed it.
We set of early the following morning-our jour
ney being entirely over mountains, and down deep
gorges ard valleys. The distance. though but six
fOyIrN IN In
to accomplish. This you will not think much for
men horse back, but it was most tiresome days
journey The latter part Of the journey was rapid
descent of some ], 500 feet, down which we had to
lead borses At this point We fell in with four
hunters who had left McDonald's three days before
u.s. and had come out TO hunt bear.
As there was still descent Of some 500 feet to
the stream near which were the offsets of our
search, and distance of mile thr0ugc gorges and
CT hons. We determined to prepare our dinner. and
rest till morning, when We should have the day be
fore us The hunters said they had nothing but
bear meat to offer us, but would 60 out aud shoot
dee-. Three went out for the purpose, and ia less
than hour returned, each bringing the hiod quar-
teIs of deer they had severally killed There was
already roaring fire. and ten minutes sui led 20
have our venson end bear meat roastiug before ii.
Bot must tell you whAt cooking utensils aud
furniture were. Tho whole list embraced q tn CUP
for each, and kettle TO boil coffee in
The meat was roasted in this MEMBERSHIPS
about two fee long were cut and sharpened a. one
about half the size Of ones hand, and Of tia thick
ness Of an inch or less hole was thep CUT through
the meat, AID the stick thrust through IL, there
being alternately layer OF bear meat and vendon,
the tat othe former dripping the veniso0, giving
it delicious flavor These sticks were then stuck
III the ground bstore the fire, when ten or fifteen
minutes srficed to fit it for tho table l mistake.
though, ia saying table, as wo had mono AS tn,
broad caropy OF heaven was over heads sc
were satisfied with the earth, both for our resting
place and table. Arranging ourselves, therefore,
near the FIRE, stick Of meat Inserted in che
ground before each, wien, with good hard bread
and coffee, and such appettes as not to be pro
cured in New York, we made q hearty meal. After
listening an hour two to the exciting tales OF our
friends Tie bunteTs ano their adventures with bears
we rolled ourselves in our blankets and soon dropped
asleep.
Tbo following morning af or on early rcpast on
bear meat and venison again. We set out for tho
volcanoes, wbich We reached in gu hour. We Grst
met With plnces IN the ragnes aud on the hill s'do
the stream where nature had been NJ work -
the rocks being bare and decomposed by the grass
which had Issued from beneath. We next came To q
spot about half an acre in extent, also of decom-
posed rcck, S6oT'd, If may so call 1t From this,
steam and fumes ofsalphur issued in vaioas p Ices
Bushels Of chrJs'aliaed sulphur might have been
collected here We filled q soda powder box with
the finer particles, and took specimens OF tho other
A few hundred yards. or perhaps quarter of q
mile, hey ond we came to The grand WORK saop Here
nature was in reality at work. SCOUTS of boiling
water and jets of steam issuing from the ooton
and sides Of vast gorge which led from the noun
tain to the stream below, accom- panied by deep
roaring sound, not unlike that of dozen ocean
steamers letting of their steam through their smoke
pipes With some difficulty, by crawling o. our
hands and knees, We descended to the bottom, or
rather &c thick grove Of pine trees which grew on
the verge Of tie Scoria, from which we had tine
view, looking down. At feet two small sire ,ms
cane tumblIDg down, and united in the main site an
which passed through tho gorge. This was but
small, MS We could leap across il in many places.
We examined the water as wo descended aud found
it pure and cold. A few yards brought US 70 the
FIRST jets Of steam, which spouted oat not in A.
tiluops column, but at intervals. as from high
pressure engine. we dfst saw aud heard the work.
ipgs Of this place from above, perhaps l2J to 100
feat But hero the noise was tremendous. We do
ttrmiIed. however, to follow down tho g0rge.
which can only be dons by keeping tho bed OF
the stream Jumping from rock to rock across il, and
occasionally letting Ourselves down a sudden prcci.
pico The sides Of the gorge were 50 steep as to
render it impossible to climb, and the only way,
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