The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-10-09

and l mile wide, were enjoyed; this lake
takes its name from q family that persisted
on its margin several years since while try
ing to make their way over the mountains
in winter; 1t is quiet and beautiful sheet
of water, lying in basin of the mountains
several thousand feet above the ocean, the
elevation of the road ON the summit of the
Nevadas being 7,042 feet; descending the
mountain slope magnificent views present
ed themselves and we at last reach Colfax
and Shutz; come in view ofthe mining locali-
ties, where the earth has been turned in
confused piles, for hundreds of acres; but
l must not stop to describe them; we reach
the bottom of the mount and enter the valley
OF the American and Sacramento Rivers;
here singular feature of the country pre-
SCENTS itself; we seem to he passing by i'm
mense apple orchards; hundreds of acres
in extent; but the trees are not apple tress,
they are gnarled oaks, very much like apple
trees OF many years growth and growing at
apparently REGULAR distances from each
other, without any bushes or underground
of any kind; have all the appearance of
immense orchards; at last we reach Sacra-
mento; are billeted at its several hotels;
enjoy a good bath, clean shirt and feel as
if we had only been travelling some fifty or
a hundred miles.
Sacramento, the capitol of the State,
lsrgc and enterprising city; broad streets;
many beautiful building, and a busy STIR
ring population; the new State Capitol,
splendid building, is nearly completed, and
is to cost about 100000.
Wednesday, September ia grand
parade of the Order; laying of the corner
stone of 4 new Odd Fellows Temple, to
cost so, 900; grand banquet at night at
which some 600 persons sat down, and
ball in the evening.
Thursday, September 16-Up at 4o'clock
AM, and off by Western Pacific Railway
at o'clock AM, for San Francisco; arrive
at Almeda, by San Francisco Bay, at
o'clock; partake of 4 sumptuous entertain
ment prepared on his own ground, Past
Grand Representative Porter, of Califania;
embark on steamer for San Francisco;
reach the city about o'clock P.M.,; re-
ceived at the wharf by an immense crowd
of people; the Grand Lodge of California
about $500 members of the Order; a mill
tary escort of the National Guard; paraded
through some of the principal streets; con-
Quoted to the California Theatre, packed
to its utmost capacity from floor to ceiling,
by ladies, citizens and members of the
Order; address of welcome by Grand Mas
ter of California; Sire B. Harmer, Esq.,;
response by Grand Sire Farnworth and
Grand Secretary Ridgly; countermarched
to Odd Fellows Hall and thence to hotels
prepared for us.
Friday morning, September 17-An ex-
cursion on the ocean steamer ".Secater,"
around the Bay and through the "Golden
| Gate" out on the Pacific Ocean; strange to
say, only two persons sea sick; elegant
banquet on board steamer; return to the
city; stop and visit the dry dock, say 400
feet long and $50 feet wide, cut out of
S'iiu icSh, anu iSaSh Jul LotClS III GlluC iol
the ) o'clock dinner.
Saturday, September 1S-A visit to the
cliff house on the ocean and return to write
letters home.
have thus given you hasty sketch Of
the trip thus far. What have to say of
| the city must be left for another letter.
We seem to be not only in a new country but
among 4 new and entirely different people,
who cannot do too much to make you feel
you are welcome.
| Vice President Colfax and his party
reached the city this evening and are at the
Cosmopolitan. He expects to remain in
the city for several days, and will attend
the session of the Grand Lodge, being a
Past Grand Representative of the Order
from his State, Indiana. In my next let
Ter l will try and give you some sketches of
things in and around the city. The eli
mate here and at Sacramento is entirely
dif1'erent-at Sacramento we suffered the
| intensity of the heat; here we can wear
winter clothing all the time, and at night
an overcoat is often necessary. The dis
tancc between the two cities is 1874 miles.
F. A. ELLIS.