The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1879-02-22

wish she bushsd and faliered:
She likes me. and | love her now;
Dear, dear. how things have altered,
BROADBRIM'S NEW YORK LETTER.
On the western coast Of the United States,
where tho boundary line of the Republic
meets the Pacific Ocean, a tongue OF land
stretches away toward the south, commenc-
ing in latitude - - aud terminating at
Cape ST. Lucas, IN latitude ~ -. dis.
tause of about six hundred miles: the long
tude extends from lie TO IL west, and
It's widest part is not over one hundred
rugged. and seen from the distance looks
particularly sterile and uninvIting. Vol
cauo peaks shoot up here and there at iu-
tervals all along the mountain range, and
the evidences are scattered on every hand
that ages long ages ago, terrific fires have
desolated the entire region, and lapse of
thousands of years has not been able To re-
pair the devastation. The seasons, which in
I
regularity, are here singularly itful and un
certain. Frequently, for several years in sue
cesslon, scarcely any raia has fallen. The
peninsula adjoins California ON the north
on the east is the Gulf Of California, about
one hundred miles wide and a little over
ak hundred miles III length; aud on the
west the Pacific Ocean stretches away for
thousands of miles. till it meets the IN ighty
farther Ind.
This land. apparently 50 desolate and
uuIHvitiug, Is surrounded with The glamor
"i romance. Vague stories of mines OF
ooundless wealth have bsen a constant
temptation To the adventurous explorer
aud in the waters of her great inland sea
the pearl fisher has sought for those won
dIous gems. which are considered among
the choicest Jewels IN the crowns Of kings.
To the majority OF mankind this remark
able country is 4 perfect terra iHcogRitd,
asd though immediately adjoining one Of
the largest and richest States of the Amer.
can Union, We know NOR. to day of the
savage Kingdoms OF Central Africa than
We do of the greatest American Peninsula.
Whatever advantages this territory may
possess. they are certainly not Of an agri
cultural character. Evidence of mineral
wealth are To be found all along the entire
lrngth Of the coast: but the spots fit for
bai,
tween. Towns and cities there are none
Of any size, a compile Of mining camps at
the lower end of the peninsula and a few
small villages on the shores of the gulf,
being the only centers of population. The
largest body of arabic land in the State is
the valley of san Jose. on the shores of the
gulf. which is about thirty miles long and
from four To ten broad. The climate is
delightful, and here the sugar. cane cotton,
tobacco, the cocoauut, aguava. the date,
and the grape flourish luxuriantly, aud two
crops of corn are gathered by the farmer
zach year. This point is also famous for
It's cattle ranges, supplied with the finest
and most nutritious of grasses. AT Null
eye there are rich and extensive copper
mines, and copper has also been found III
abundance at san Fernando and other
points along the coast, while in the inte-
rior are rich deposits Of gold and silver ore.
The town Of La Paz, which is situated
on the bay of the same name. is the princi.
pal port Of entry. The houses are mostly
one-story high. They are generally built
of adobe or uuburnsd brick, and are of
style OF architecture that iiourished in
Judca, two or three Thousand years ago
They have a dull, heavy, prison like APP
Psarance, and are altogether the most un-
inviting aud uncomfortable of human habi-
tatiuns. seen for the first time from the
deck of the steamer, the town of La Paz
looks particularly beautiful and romantic
4 beach of the finest and whtest of sand
skirts the town for mile and half and a
green fringe of cocoAnut and date trees.
mingled with the pomegrauate. the orange
and fig, lend the scene an air of enchanting
beauty. But closer inspection scarcely
warrants the first favorable impression. for
! the town has a ruined and deserted appear
ance, like place that is falling To decay
The most prosperous business of the PENN
sula, at the present time. is tho orchiila
which is principally controlled by Joseph
=. Hale. known as the Orchilla King Oh.
chilla is llnchen parasite, winch is found
/ Isl abundance, growing on bushes and trees
+ IN certain parts of the peninsula, and is
used for impsrting to silks, eottons aud
woolens brilliant purple or crimson dye
( II is also frequently used rs substitute
for the more expensive cochineal and in
combination with other colors, il forms the
base Of the most brilliant aud glossiest Of
blacks. The special merit OF this plant a.
mercantile article is, firstly, that IT grows
over an immense extent of territory and
reproouces itself, without the slightest care
or culture, every three years. 1t has the
entire world for its market, aud It's uses
are constantly multiplying. There are few
localities that produce 1t on the globe.
The largest orchilla territory ia the world
belongs to this fortunate pioneer
Orchilia was discovered IN Lower Cali.
fornia 10y Capt. John ilowland, in 1870. a
colony WAS immediately formed in the East
by number of capitalists. Tor the purpose