Washington sentinel., 1854-03-10
FROM CALIFORNIA.

private leIter IrOm Oan 4 rlouCioCoJ OduIOrnla,
from which we make the following extracts.
In speaking of the rainy season, the writer
says:
at first rained about the middle of Novem-
ber; the rain fell two days. We then had glo-
rious weather until the last week of that month,
when it rained again some four days, after that
the weather was clear until the last part of the
first week in December, then rain for three
days. From that time until the Wednesday
Eefore New Years there was no rain, and
scarce cloudy day. 1t rained on that day
and part of Thursday, after which we had most
delightful weather until Friday, 18th rain con-
tinued four days. Tuesday, 18th, was clear
cool day. On the 18th the weather was bitter
cold, and has so continued up TO this day. 1t
is the only season that have seen ice in the
streets of San Francisco throughout the whole
day. 1t was thick enough for the boys to slide
upon, and one lucky young rascal had on
skates-the first ever saw here
"The mountains are covered with snow as far
as the vision extends AT Grass Valley they
had sleghriding on Friday, and Lola Montez
was out with party to enjoy it. In the town
of Maraposa the snow was ten inches deep on
the level. In fact, from all the far back towns
and camps we have news of snow in greater or
lesser quantity"
The writer next illustrates the benefits of
late rising.
son Thursday morning, the 18th, the steamer
Helen Hensley exploded her boilers just as she
had started from the wharf at San Francisco.
The night before had promised friend that
| would meet him on board the boat the next
morning, so that we might journey to Benicia
together The Hensley left at nine o'clock, at
which hour was fortunately getting off q very
fine specimen Of sleeping Soon after was
reused from my snoose by series of thunder
ing knocks at my door, to which respond
ed by Halo! what is the matter?' ooh!
all right!' was the reply, let me in
got up and let my friend in, who quickly re-
lated to me the explosive news, and told me
that he had feared was on board. So you
see the practical benefits from not rising early.
The early bird catches the worm the adage
says, but worms would have troubled me if
had been aboard that boat. Steam and hot
water are very useful in their places, but do
not like vapor baths at so short notice. Every
time / have travelled on the boat have stood
in front Of the boilers, looking at the fremen
firing up One Of them, an old Mississippi
niger, used to attract my especial attention.
| This poor devil got blown overheard about
thirty feet, and was picked up uninjured. Had
/ been there. / am sure that the darkey and l
would have had race, but am also sure that
| the nigger would have been the only one to
| tell how we came out, until the coroner had sat
| upon my body and so squeezed out the truth.
The idea of even starting for eternity with a
| nigger for compagnon du voyage, is not quite
| to my taste.'
"The Goliah, San Diego steamer of Cap
tain Wright's, brought the mails and some two
| hundred of the passengers on Tuesday morn
ing. Among them Purser Levi D. Slamm. He
has orders with him. | learn, for the Pacific
squadron to arrest President Walker and his
party at Encienada, the new republic"
The most exciting topic in politics is whether
senator shall be elected this winter. He
says: -..
POLITICALLY, we were never in state of
fiercer excitemeat than at present. All over
the State one common topic agitates the people:
Shall United States senator be chosen this
winter? From the mountains and the mines;
from the rancheros and the interior hamlets;
from up-country cities and the farming folks,
the almost universal response is, Mo- But
from these same localities comes voices, from
caucus knots Of political demagogues, sent
there to manufacture public opinion, and who
sign and send petitions, in which (like the old
colony settlers did the aborigines) they first
declare that to the Saints belonged the lands,
and then themselves resolved that they were the
saints"
Speaking of the legislature, he says:
"The assembly is composed of better class
of men than have ever before seen in this
State To be sure, there are some exceptions
but all-in-al they are more then ordinary men.
am not well aware how they stand on the
senatorial question, but believe there is a slight
majority against bringing it on this session.
The body is 81 in number.
''After the senatorial case is got over with,
another attempt will be made to remove the
capital to Sacramento city, and l think it will
be passed"
"Meagher, the Irish patriot, has arrived, and
already given the people below touch of his
quality. Certainly, he is great man, or, at
least, mighty orator. read his oductory
lecture last night and was much pleased
with it."
"sAs FRAscIsco, January 20, 1854:
"Another remarkable change has occurred in
anomaly to even the "oldest inhabitant." Yes
terday was, and to-day is, as lovely day as
have ever seen, nor could any one wish for
better. No summer day in your cline ever
transcribed either. am writing with my coat
off and the windows up, and perspiring at that.
| There is not speck of cloud visible in all the
| heavens. e..
"Never has such depression visited our mer-
camille community and the people at large.
Our market is plethoric with goods Of every de-
scription, and heavy arrivals augment the bulk
weekly. Many are unable to pay freight bills,
| and their goods are stored in the warehouses
of the shipping agents. To add to this trouble,
money has been greatly absorbed in real estate
| gambling, (for can call it by no other name,
and the best Of business paper cannot be ne
gotiated at less than five to six per cent. per
month"
| For the Sentinel.
| AN IMITATION.
Ifthou hast crushed the rose