Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-04-28

Elk SHOOTING IN CALFoRNIA.-One of the
most spirited and exciting adventures, in elk
hunting that we have ever heard related since
the days when the practice of the sights" and
"scent" was more pastime than In these prac-
tica times of sight drafts and dollars and cents,
occurred at new town of Vallejo, on Thurs
day morning last At daylight band of elk
was discovered by some of the towns-people,
quietly feeding on Mare Island, between which
land and the site of the town, Napa Creek rolls
its sluggish stream. Mare Island is separated
from the shores of the bay by narrow strip of
rule marsh, over which the tide ebbs and flows.
A boat filled with hunters was started across
to cut off the escape of the elk by the path
with which they reached the island, and anoth-
er boat was sent around the southerly point of
the island. The elk scented danger, and dis
covering enemies laying out across the route
which they had traversed, fled to the hills of the
island, but were soon put to the right about of
the party from the second boat. Terrified by
the pers their situation, and panicstruck, they
rushed blindly into the water, and struck out
for the opposite shore, where nearly an hun
dred of the people of Vallejo had assembled,
armed with every conceivable variety of weap-
ons, from a billet of wood to Tower hill
musket. The boats now put off from the is.
land, and the frightened animals, in attempting
to turn back from the threatening state of things
at the Capital, encountered their enemies in hot
pursuit. The elk were now driven almost to
madness, and resolutely struck out for the shore
of the town. AS the herd approached within
gun shot, general discharge of guns, pistols
and newly quarried building stones, commenced.
The boats also opened fire as they approach
ed, and thus hemmed in on every side, nearly
every one of the herd fell victim. Thirty-one
fine fat elk were killed, and their throats cut
between the hours of and IL, A. M. This is
mornings sport which it would be hard to
beat any where East of the Rocky Mountains.
The elk taken in this adventure were despatch
ed North and South to market, but half doZ-
en- of the fattest will be served up to the guests
of the Grand State Ball to come off on the
26th, at Vallejo. Alta California.
STRENGTH OF THE WnL.-It has been the
belief of large class of correct thinkers, that
the ability of man to perform any given action
within the scope of reason, is only limited by
the extent of his natural capacity. In other
words-that which he wills to do, if he sets
resolutely about it, he can perform to the full
est extent, provided his chosen task lies within
the compass of his mind.
To mental organization at once vigorous
and well balanced, if its powers be nationally
employed, failure in any pursuit is almost next
to impossible. A steady perseverance in the
one path, and in quest of the one object, being
all that is required.
1t is by vacilation of purpose, by trying first
one thing and then another, by shifting back.
ward and forward, by changing the object OF
attainment, and by becoming discouraged, when
to press vigorously forward is the one thing
needful to success, that the positions of so many
persons in life are so vastly inferior to what
might have been expected from their natural
abilities. 1t is the infirmity of the will coun-
teracting the strength of the understanding
| They have frittered away their talents in try
ing to accomplish many things, and have, natu-
rally enough, succeeded fully in none.
The first thing which young man requires
on setting out in life, is a purpose. The Sec
| ond is resolute determination not to be turn.
ed aside by any lures which may spread them
selves across his path. Let him fix his eyes
steadily on any object, and if he will work TO-
ward it with unhagging and undertaking energy,
he will be as certain Of reaching it eventually,
if life and health are spared, as the pedestrian
is Of coming to the end of his journey, or the
boy of growing to manhood.
Above ALL let it be remembered that perfec.
ton is only to be obtained by devotion of the
mental or physical powers to one sole object,and
that every deviation from the direct path of pur-
suit, seriously abridges the chances of success.
Home Gazette.
PoLITENEss OF PAUL.-An old poet has quaint
ly called Jesus the first true gentleman that
ever breathed" panl's politeness too must
not be overlooked, compounded as it was of dig
nifty and Difference. 1t appears that in the mild
ness of the manner in which he delivered his
most startling and scattered messages, both to
Jews and heathens; in his winning reproofs-
the excellent oil,which did not break the head y
in the delicacy of his illusions to his claims and