The hydraulic press., 1860-04-21
The Audraulie gress.
"A GRASS VALLEY LETTER.
GRASS VALLEY. April 16. /,

GRASS VALLEY, April 16, 1860.
Editor "Hydraulic Press" III you have
never experienced the hospitality of this very
hospitable' e'mountain burgh-a and, par ezcel-
lence, the hospitality of Old Blocks genial
household-all I have to say is that you
have managed to escape very great happi-
ness. Old Block-Alonzo Delano, he writes
himself at the bottoms of checks and bills
of exchanges a gentleman of the old
school, and, therefore, prince among mod
ern hosts. Of his charming wife and daugh-
ter / dare not speak as feel, for fear that
you might deem me either deliberate fiat
terer or hapsodicaLenthusiast, and for
neither of these appeiIatives have l the
slightest ambition. Suffice it to say that
am new domiciled at Old Blocks delightful
hearth, and can safely and consclentieusly
avouch that if I am not supremely happy it
is not the fault of my generous entertainers.
By the by, You were expected here on Sat-
nrday, to assist at the ceremonies of Miss
'Compton's School Exhibition. Miss Comp
ton expected you-Old Block and his family
expected you-I expected you-all Grass
Valley expected you-but, as you are prob
ably aware, you did not come. The Nepada
NationaLthat spirited and spicy hebdoma-
dal, which, every Saturday, carries the latest
intelligence and the purest of democracy into
the bosoms and business of the Grass Val-
leyans-did announce your arrival, with a
flourish; but, to all our griefs, the announce
ment proved to be an error of the press. 1t
happened in this wise: A remarkably fine
looking gentleman-I might with propriety
say, an extraordinarily fine looking gentle-
man-was seen, on Saturday afternoon, to
enter Grass Valley from the direction of Ne
vada, and the whole population, better ac-
quainted with your fame than your person,
very naturally mistook the magnificent
stranger for yourself The rumor of your
arrival speedily reached the printing office,
and our excellent friend, Mr.. Ever, instantly
stopped the press to insert what he esteemed
as the most important item in his columns
Here you have an ample and truthful ex-
planation of this curious mistake mistake
which, Mr. Ever assures me, in the usual and
stereotyped language Of the editorial profess
sion, shall neuer again occur.
1t was pity, though, that you were not
here to witness the artistic and classical en-
tertainment furnished by Miss Compton's
pupils. What fine theme it would have
furnished for your pen, and how you would
have reveled in the happy task of describing
the enchantments and enchantresses of the
hour. How your bachelor heart would have
swelled and throbbed to see those beautiful
young girls, just budding into womanhood,
sparkling and flashing on the stage, like bril-
liant meteors in the skyey concave, and hear
them talk and futter and sing like BIRDS
In the distribution of Heavens bepefactions,
large share of youthful female loveliness
has, somehow, fallen to the lot of Grass
Valley, and, of this especial benefaction,
am delighted to perceive, the stern lords of
the valley are duly cognizant and proportionately
we'll beauty and Miss Compton has been infinitely
successful in developing it.
The exquisite feature of the exercises or rather
the entertainment, original farce from the pen
Of Old Block, borrowed mainly from the funny "Miss
slimmens papers in the Ladys Book. The characters
well and well sustained, Miss Hattie Delano
playing the old maid mlIiner in style that would
have disparaged Mrs. Wood, and the farce was bril-
liant success, for it full of wit full of humor and
full of everything that is mirthcreatng and jolly
never saw audience-and this was a very crowded
one-enjoy theatrical trife more heartily. We al
laughed most consumedy and were sorry when il
ended In the hands of talented and artistic profes
sionals it would be the making of managers fortune
Old Block has heretofore written for the STAGE one
excellent farce fhis .The Live Woman in the Mines
has been submitted to managerial consideration, and
met with managerial stupidity. for it has not yet beer
produced. "The Disappointed Milliner," which Mis-.
Compton's pupi brought before the public satur
day night, is the only dramatic effort of Old Block
that has ever been placed on the stage.
1suppose ought to say something about business
and quartzcrushng, before finish this stupid letter
and, therefore, shall briefly remark that business
in Grass Valley appears exceedingly brisk, money
plenty, and the quartz mills all going and making
prodigious noise. 1t would be wrong not to mento,
the many flourishing gardens and orchards which 81
much enhance the beauty of Grass Valley, and prom
ise so much pleasure and profit in the future The
cent frosts have done very little mischief and beau
tfu season of fruits and flowers will, no doubt minis
ter to the paata and esheic tastes of the Grass Val
leyans.
And so-Adios.
DIEGO
r. s Old Block is to be with you, on the 26th O
this current month, to talk to the Odd Fellows. Hi
talk, Jon may depend On 1t, will be rich lterar,
treat.
CRuELrY TO AYINALs.-The Marysvillt
Democrat tells good story of a fair widow
who was prosecuted by the everyday atten.
tions of distasteful suitor. The poor bach.
elor followed her into the kitchen where she
was washing one day:
"She gave him chair and chatted away