Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1867-08-03
q Soiourn at the Biz Trees.

who have never visited the Mammoth Grove,
and have not the faintest idea that within a
few miles Of this dusty, warm and sparsely
wooded region, there is one of the most de-
lightful, cool and shady spots to be found in
the civilized world. The interior of Cali
fornia, during the hot months of Summer,
offer few inducements, and any place which
affords one the luxury of a cool atmosphere,
beautiful surroundings and an umbrageous
shade, should be visited by all who can spare
the time and money. How many of our
citizens go below to seek refreshing breezes
and bracing air, when a few hours ride
would take them to the Grove, where they
can find all the comforts and many of the
luxuries furnished by the cities of the East.
The mind Is lost in wonder and astonish-
ment by beholding these giants of the forest,
thsse primeval evidences of Creator. In
| the presence of these trees, one feels how
dwarfed and common place, in comparison,
are the works of man; and he who some
times indulges in skeptical thoughts and vain
| imaginings, would here find such evidences
Of divinity. such magnifcence and grandeur,
that the soul instinctively tuJns from the
works OF nature to natures God. Those who
want excitement shoul3. seek some other ra-
sort, for here everything has that sober air
which harm onizes and accords so well with
the Wild and romantic scenery that sur
rounds the Grove. From the time when one
leaves Sperry's Hotel, one of the best in the
State, until the Trees are reached, there are
constantly changing views and varying pic
lures. Mountain scenery is always fine, but
here the ascent is so gradual that one gets to
a great altitude and finds a corresponding
change in the atmosphere, before he is hardly
aware that the vallies, hot and dusty are
far behind.
a beautiful mountain torrent comes tumb-
ling and foaming over cascades, along side
the road, running now on one side of the
carriage and soon on the other, leaping, as
it were playfully, from rock to rock, cresting
each with its sparkling foam, now hidden by
the dropping foliage which sometimes shell
tiers the stream, and then darting out to re-
fresh the traveller with a sight of its laughing
waters.
Arriving at the Mammoth Grove Hotel
we were met by the attentive landlord and
his assistants, and before we were aware of
t,o1 Il l,,J 1aJ
rifles over our clothing, was swept away
and before many minutes, refreshed by bath
and something cool for the inner man, we
were ready to partake of the excellent din
ner which always welcomes the hungry tray
eler. a better kept Hotel than that presided
over by Mr.. Perry, cannot be found outside
of San Francisco. The cooking is capital
the rooms are neat, the bedding cl an, while
everything has that quiet, home-like appear
old friends, instead of being guest at pub
lie house. We found the hotel full of com
pany, and as each was dependent upon the
other for amusement and pleasure, all were
agreeable and social. 1t is only when indi-
viduals are extracted from society and
thrown upon their own resources, that they
develop those finer and nobler traits of char
acter which makes the cosmopolitan so in
teresting and instructive. The formalities of
life are, in measure forgotten, in this Sc
questered spot, and without introduction or
previous acquaintance, the sojourners grad
ually glide into friendly relations which in
crease as day after day makes them better
known to each other.
The great beauty of the place is its quie-
tude; the eternal silence of nature is rarely
broken save by some hunter in the distant
forest or the merry laugh of romping child
ren. Inc thermometer seldom rises above
seventy-flye, during the heat of the dav
while both mornings and evenings brisk
fires are built In the parlor and bar-room
After breakfast, those who wish, take the
round OF the grove, and strain their ewes in
endeavorlng to take in the immense trees
that are scattered along the whole walk 1t
is almost impossible to believe ones own ewes
as we stand gazing at the magnificent pro-
portions OF these monarchs of the wood ;
their beauty, symmetry, size and height, when
contrasted with the immense pines which
surround them, fill the mind with awe and
wonder. For centuries they have been grow
ing beyond the confines of civilization, where
no eyes, save those Of their Creator and the
dusky children Of the forest, ever beheld
their wonderous beauty. With few excep-
tlons, they have been named after distin-
guished men of our own country, and higher
compliment could not be paid to any one
| than that OF having his name inscribed upon
one OF those trees. | could not forbear ras-
ing my hat as passed one bearing the hon.
| ored name of one of our most distinguished
military heroes, as well as ablest and bravest
of our District Commanders.
Several OF the guests went out fishing dur
ing our stay, and we were RECALLED at break
fast with fresh trout, caught from the neigh
boring streams. In the evening music and
dancing helped to vile away the hours,
which seldom drag and never grow weary.
The cold nights give one a relish for sleep,
and early morning finds one refreshed and
invlgorated, with a good appetite and-a
| splendid breakfast. \ sojourn of a few
weeks during the intense heat of our Sum-
mers, at the Trees, is something that every
family, Hpossible, should take; it breaks IN
! the monotony of existence and snatches a few
/ pleasant hours from the dull routine of life
When the Stockton & Copperopolis railroad
is completed, more than half the distance bv
land can then be accomplished by rail, and
hundreds will come up from the coast coun-
ties to enjoy our mountain air, beautiful
scenery, and for season gaze upon these
wonders of nature.
We have treasures in our county as old as
the mines and far more valuable than the
golden ribs that bind our rocks together.
Long after gold has ceased to attract stran-
gers to our mountains, pilgrims will come
! from all parts of the world to sojourn while
among the Big Trees of Calaveras. S.
NoPIF SFNTINFNTS.-In his late sneecb -;