Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1852-05-28
Letter rom California,

The following extract from letter
from Rev. CHARLES MAcLAy, published in
the "Chambersburg Valley Spirit" though
written some time since, will be read with
interest by his numerous; friends and &C.
quaintances.]
SANTA CLARA, March 4, 1859.
JoHN NJ. PUMRoY, Es4.-Dear Friend
A full year has elapsed since | left my
native home among the mountains Of
Pennsylvania. Strange, but true. here
am in the land Of golden dreams. Many
have been the changes since leaving my
chidhood's home in your county. My
mind is predsposed to hold converse with
The past, and bring up old associations
with desire 10 live them over again.
But enough as to this, and forthwith
proceed to give you some incidents OF
California lie, and climate, &c.
You no doub! have long since heard OF
my location in this valley beautiful beyond
description. Santa Clara valley is not to
be excelled in the world for beauty and
natural advantages. have witnessed the
iar-iamed Wyoming Of your own Stale,
and the great valley OF Virginia, with many
other valleys Of fame. They were beaull.
iul, II is true, and their associations were
oil great interest TO me, but this beautiful
spot Of creation. kind of second Italy, Is
like lonely flower garden never cuIied.
Our plains stretch away in the distance for
miles upon miles, say one hundred or
more in length, and from ten TO thirty in
breadth. Wild flowers of every hue meet
The eye in almost every direction, and this
loo, as you Atlantic folks say, in the
midst Of winter. Here We have no winter,
but perpetual summer. The soil is OF a
very superior nature, and wheat, barley,
oats and vegetables Of every description
will grow and yield astonishingIy. To
write tho whole truth, what have seen
and know. would not be credited, SO |
shall say but little. Thousands of acres
are now in small grain, and bid fair for
heavy crop. Our climate 10 the most
pleasant in the world and said 10 be very
healthy. You know | was hall dead with
dyspepsia for several years befor coming
here-well, have never enjoyed better
health than | now do. The LORDS name
be praised for it. am frequently asked
II l.would advise my friends to come 10
California. Those who enjoy good health
IN tho Atlantic country, and are in easv
| would advise TO stay
where they are, but those in feeble health
would advise by all means to come, and
The sooner The better. would advise
those Just commencing the world, instead
ol gong to the west 10 come here. II is q
rare instance for person 10 make Tor
'une IN few months. and none should
come with any such calculations. 1t is
grand mistake for persons coming 10 this
country TO leave their families behind. If
they come here let them bring their wives
and children. with the understanding that
they will make this their permanent home,
and if fihey are industrious and economical,
there is no doubt bu. in ten years or less
time they will be rich enough. Thousands
It IS true. come here, and fail in everything;
but these very persons, it must be bore in
mind, failed in everything before they
came to California. California will no,
make sober men out Of drunkards, but in
instances the reverse. 1t will
not make saving. managing men out Of
spendthrilts; but give her fair chance
with good honest men, and they will do
much better than in your country.
Mrs. Maclay and myself. with our little
son. ENJOY ourselves very much. could
not think OF returning to the States TO live.
We are in The midst Of glorious revival