The Press., 1883-12-06
LETTER FROM CALIFORNIA.

FOmOha, LOS Ange!OS Co.,, Cal., NOV. ZO, oS
 THE PRESS: To say that the party leaving Rochester, N. Y., Wednesday Nov. Eth, and joining Phillips excursion bound for southern California, had pleasant and delightful journey, is expressing it but faintly.
 Could our friends from whom we had so recently separated, and to whom we had breathed a farewell with dropping spirits, have seen the travellers mount the Pull man cars with innumerable baskets of pro visi n and all the equipments of home comforts, am sure they would have thought there was no occasion for tears, and I would wonder if they did not ex- press desire to join the picnic.
 The party at first occupied four cars, and more congenial company could not have fell together. Those who were stran- gers at first, were not so after the elapse of twenty -four hours, but as one united family. What one failed to have to pro- mote complete happiness, another was sure to bestow. We found on acquaint- ance that some were returning to their permanent home in the land sunshine and flowers among these were MT. and Mrs Swan formerly of New London, Conn. now residents of Paradena, Los Angeles county Mrs. M. C. Shardlow formerly of of Rochester, N. Y.. now living in Oak land, and will visit Mrs Wiley Mackie for merly of Woodstock, Conn. also Prof. A. c. Potter formerly of Marion, N. r., now owning large orange grove in Los An gelos. Others were going to plant new home in that sunny cline, others in search of health, and others wifh the intention to bend their energies upon unbroken soil, regardless of home or place to lay their heads Among the latter class were fine young men from Maine and Mass. In fact, New England was well represented among the passengers looking toward the setting sun.
 Our first day en route for Gal. took us out of the empire state and from the beau tiful shores of lake Chatauqua with all their romantic associations. Crossed cor ner of Pennsylvania before we were willing to submit to drawn curtains and music from the heavy breathing of profound sleeper.
 We lost the prospe cts of Ohio by night, but the morning gave us the low, wet and level plains of Indiana, not hill to be seen through long stretch of country Extensive cornields the only compliment due to that state, except good breakfast at Hammond.
 Arrived in Chicago at II o'clock, a. m. :, where we made our first change of cars very little delay, so but small fraction of the newly built city could be seen. Of the OrnQt n1nxotOrc poI1of hc observed, also countless steam yachts com ing into port on lake Michigan.
 Leaving 'sthe city of the vest" with its 'sTowers lifted once more on high, and spires frttting the western sky,' we pass through Joliet, Marsailles, and other cities of attraction. The scenery has changed from the low lands to rocky bluffs and derp ravines, with here and there di- minutive Niagara forcing itself into full view, as if to please the eye of the travel Ter. "@
 As the day wanes we roll into the city of Moline, and are reminded that this is now the home of Chas. Rider and family, formerly of Willington, Conn.
 Now the iron horse begins to slacken his speed, for we are upon the bridge that spans the Mississippi the strong, not iron, but paper wheels are rumbling beneath us, and we cling to the breaks as We gaze into the "Father of Waters," the grave ot De Soto. The electric lights of Moline on one side, and of Davenport on the other, and the moon shining with unusual bril- liancy upon the waters between, afforded us scene of unsurpassed grandeur. And as we stand enraptured, let us pause until the next issue of The Press.
 EMMA A. LEE.