Weekly Trinity journal., 1858-01-16
CoMMUNICATED.]
Visit TO the Quartz Mines of Grass Valley

Editor Journal Only few days since, had
the pleasure of accompanying some friends on a
visit to the renowned Quartz mines of Grass Val
| ley. Thinking that perhaps it might be of some
little interest to you l will set down and tell yon
what saw.
We first visited the Empire MILL where we saw
some very rich specimens of quarts, and all the
requisite machinery for separating the gold from
the rock. Immense power is employed in crush
ing the rock, after which it passes into long
sluce, through which heavy head of water is
constantly passing. In the bottom of the sluice
Is fastened strips of board, denominated rifles,
(much the same as those used in placer mining at
the North,) by which most of the coarse gold is
caught the finer being saved by blankets placed
at the end of the sluce, and over which the wa
ter passes after leaving it, I was informed by
one of the stockholders that their claims paid
very well, although they did not yield as abun-
dainty as some others in the neighborhood. But
Judging from the number of gold bars l saw, l
in such claim--even though compelled to be a
silent one.
We next visited the celebrated Allison" lead
and MILL This lead was discovered nearly two
years ago, by accompany fisk men who were en-
gagged in sinking shaft in the bed of creek
about one mile from Grass Valley. The mode of
separating the gold from the quartz, is similar to
the one before spoken Of The mill is built i'm
mediatey over the entrance to the mine, which is
by shaft one hundred and fifty feet in depth
The rock is brought up in immense wooden buck
cts We were kindly invited to descend into the
mine, which invitation we as kindly declined ac-
cepting. While watching one of the men as he
was being lowered into the shaft, was remind
ed of the old saying" That it is much easier to
90 down in life than up" He could descend with
comparative ease, but it required considerable ef'
fort to bring him to the surface again. The own
efs average 900 weekly from this claim
The dust is taken to the Mint semi-monthly for
ASSAY 1t is worthy of remark that five OF the
proprietors have passed into the state of matri-
mony since the discovery of this mine, and the
hill side adjoining the mill is now dotted with
five neat cottages, all of the same model render
ing the place truly inviting.
Christmas passed off at this place very quiet
w. The places of business were generally closed
on Christmas eve. / was Informed that Old
Block,n for the first time since his residence in
Grass Valley, closed his banking house for hol-
iday, and posted the following characteristic no
tice upon his door
CHRISTMAS
If others rest when Christmas comes,
And merry are in happy homes
Who'll begrudge in life's rough knock,
leisure hour to poor Old Blocks
On Christmas, then, we'll close the door,
And merry be till Christmas o'er.
will close my letter by wishing you Hap
nv New Year, 'Tis old year now, but ere this
reaches you it will have passed away and given
nlaee to the new. Standing thus on the brink of
the old and the verge of the new year, how vain
lv do we endeavor to realize what the future may
bring. Respectfully yours, CARRIE l..
MANY thanks to "CARRIE" for the above, and
also for her kind wishes viii she not favor us
with more contributions