New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-10-03
NEF- YORK LITERARY NOTES.

NoRDHoFFs CALIFORNIA PLEASURE FOR TRAY
ELERS, HEALTH FOR INVALIDS, WEALTH
FOR FARMERS.
The Harpers are about to publish Charles
Nordhon's California For Health. Pleasure and Resi-
aencc," work Of much temporary interest and
which viii perhaps be curously read I'm those after
years OF Californian prosperity to which The authors
enthusiasm may in seine measure contribute. Most Of
the collected papers which make up this volume APP
peared during the past year in THE TRIBUNE
and in ether publications. but all have been
revised, and additions OF new material have
been made. All those good Americans who
desre 10 the magnificent pictures Of the West before
they die and go Paris VIII find IN Mr. Nordhoff guide
at once entertaining and considorate II might we'll be
that the enthusiasm Of Eastern observer, used to
less generous soil, should lead TO unmcant exagger
alton Of the agricultural forces OF California. but
the writer with his almost incredible facts, seems TO
be very Gradcrind in the matter OF igures-a be-
nChcent Gadgind 70 the emigrants who need TO know
something Of the len before that way they turn
their hopeful steps The first part Of the book
Is given TO The instruction OF travellers to definite details
Of ways, aud places and expenses. The description OF
the trip the Continent with its palace cars and IT'S
unexpected little injuries, reads Like nothing SO much as
Arabian Nights tale wherein the happy possessor Of
the lamp, or the ring, OF the purse, summons any mum
Der Of obhgiug aud comtortbearus scnl at will The
pictures Of California nearly all in rosy tnts The
people intelligent honest, civil; the country Tpads
are excellent the country inns are clean, toe food
Is uniformly well cooked, and the expenses are mod
crate SO much FOR the comfort of the traveller; the
scenery of the state speaks for Itself OF the future OF
tho Yosemite Valley, Mr. Nordhof has gloomy fore
holdings in the way shabby hotels the telling of trees
and the application of Niagara tariffs 10 land and water
views For the sportsman Southern California is Para
disc ana Tor the cOusumptiye its air is almost life
giving as a draugh from the magic Foridian fountain
within line Of few miles he finds different conditions
Of the atmosphere OF which Is certain to be eX
actv what he needs All Winter the days are mild and
bright the gardens are full Of flowers and the grass is
green. There are warm medicinal springs in which to
battle the roads are good, and horses to be had
eheapy everywhere the invalid does what he peases
and with the exercise and the delicious cir he rarely
fails TO get new grasp Of life. The rough god-hmtng
days gone forever, and mining has become thing Of
stately companies and known results. Individual toiers
after treasure are comparatively few, ana
is chiefly about Sonora that one
sees the old-fashioDed "panning-out' Herethe small
boys Of the town at the approach of circus seize their
mothers tin pans and fly TO the fields TO wash out
enough gold for their entrance fees With the disappear
ance the gold from the soil has disappeared also
the bowieknfe and revolver civilization of the past,
aud new race Of thoughtful, church-soing, and stu
dons people makes the State safe well delight
full to live in. or the agricultural riches OF California,
where two haryests often taken from the same
field in one seaOn; where there are no rains
10 interfere with the time OF reapng, and no
necessity 10 store up food for animals; where
the most delicious fruits Of the North and Of the tropics
grow in marvellous abundance side by side and where
roses bloom all Winter and the hehorope grows twenty
feet high where orchards and the grain fields seem 70
shower wealth upon the farmer almost without an effort
on his part of all these things Mr. NordhoF cannot ap
parcntly say enough. The readers of THE TRIBUNE
already know with what painstalnC care he examined
the farming and fruitrmsng portion OF the state. His
aft fD 20 { "A
immediate practical value to settlers. Expeditions occa-
sOnally occur which would seriously mar a work Of a
more permanent nature but which need not be severely
criticised in this. Mr. NordhoG writes the intelligent
aud direct style Of the practical journalist and With ev
dent sincerity and earnestucss.