The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-03-14

Los Angeles paper published one of the
weeks following satirically expressed the
opinion that that letter wonld probably do
much to check the southern California
boom" we hear so much about; that 1t had
practically destroyed the future prospects of
Los Angeles" and would "prevent many
people from visiting California" with other
remarks of similar nature. SO since peoples
views of place differ so materially, and are
not altogether independent of circumstances,
| beg to be excused from any responsibility
on account of erroneous opinions which
may be received from my letter. and am
also compelled to draw somewhat from
statements made by other people. We may
not find paradise anywhere, but despite
the fact that the winter here has been an ex-
ceptional one, as ii seems to have been all
over the United States, think we have had
more of sunshine than rain even during the
rainy season. However, to thoroughly ap-
precate California at this time of the year
one must "look up and not down " and
never mind the mud, which is the stickiest,
muddiest kind of mud it was ever my fate
to walk into after rain, though it dries
quickly. In December and January we had
many chilly, disagreeable days, but in a
country where many houses are built with
out any provision being made for warming
them these days can easily be imagined
comfortable compared with the same time
in the East. Still these houses were barely
comfortable for few days, and the tents,
which are scattered here and there, must
have afforded little warmth and shelter to
their inmates. Yet imagine it possible to
live the winter through in tents The frosts
did some damages and, by the way, reports
of the sand-storm in January were exagger-
ated, learn. Twice we have had four or
! five days in succession of steady, pouring
rain, and occasionally a day and night of it,
also some days when the sun did not APP
pear and the atmosphere seemed full of
moisture, but no rain fell. Such days are
| not uncommon in the East In December
and the first half of January the foliage,
except that under cultivation, and the orange
| trees, which ALWAYS wear their glossy, green
! leaves and golden balls or fragrant BIOS
SONS, was of "A sickly sort of green, and
| the hills were bare brown and dry,
! But the first rains brought out the bright,
! fresh color, which makes it seem so much
| Like June instead of February. This is said
! to be an excellent climate for consumptives.
1t is usually quite warm in the middle of the
day, but the nights are cool, and in this
vicinity there are often heavy fogs at this
time Of the year. The rapid lowering of
temperature after the sun goes down, and
even on cloudy days, causes changes which
might not prove beneficial to all, so some
people-and there are many seeking health
and strength here-do not find it all they
expect, while many others are benefited
and sitting in the sun on bright days and
| remaining indoors on cool ones, contract no
| colds and suffer no inconvenience from the
sudden changes. The valley from which |
write (the beautiful San Gabriel valley, and
it is not miscalled) nestes at the foot of the
Sierra Madre Mountains, whose huge,
wrinkled sides and snow-crowned peaks
seem in the clear air but short distance
from u.s. 1t also slopes gently toward the
Pacific, the view of which is shut off by a
line of low hills, giving only tantalizing
glimpses here and there between, when the
sky is clear and a white speck is seen as it
passes the gap, which we know to be ship
1t takes long time for an easterner who
loves trees to become accustomed to the
bare hills, where are only few stunted
evergreen trees or sometimes the California
live oak, which grows to quite size but
not in great numbers. Everywhere in the
valley the eye rests on smiling vineyards of
grapes and fruitful orchards of oranges
lemons, apricots, peaches and other fruits
of warm climates. Should any one think
ma views taken through spectacles which
impart to all things a hue like that which
rests on the mountain-tops when the suns
last lingering rays soften the dazzling white
of the snowy peaks into an exquisite rose
color, can only say Wait till you see 1t
for yourselves" However, to come down
to practical things, if the people of Cali
fOrnia are sometimes extravagant in praises
of their state they are equally extravagant
in other respects, though in either case
there is some reason for it, and the only
wonder is that so many eastern Injuries are
Obtainable at any price when we consider
the distance they must be transported.
Wages are high, though the great number of
people pouring in has a tendency to reduce
Them and it is to be hoped other things will
keep pace. Land sells at fabulous prices.
Not far from this city is a little village
called whittier in honor of the poet.
1t is said to be sort of Acadia, where no
disturbing element ever enters to mar the
peace of its inhabitants. There isn't a
liquor-saloon in the place, which is more
than can be said, fear, of any other Cali
fornia town, but it costs $4,000 to buy a
piece of land there large enough to pitch
tent" l should think they might keep out
some unwelcome intruders There is plenty
of chance for temperance work in California.
From this vicinity were taken the incidents
of Mrs. Jackson's story of Ramona"
There are few of the adobe houses to be
SEEN but most of them have been destroyed
or built over To all who have not read
" Ramona" a delightful treat is in store.
But am making my letter too long, and
lest it should be consigned to the waste
basket, or l be requested to occupy less
space in the columns of the WATCHMAN, |
will close NJ.