Year: 1868

This, while profitable to him, speaks
well for virginia. People of intelli-
gence and taste come from every point
OF the compass, and we judge from hav-
ing seen the Atlantic, Harper, Black
wood, Putnam's AMI other leading mag
azines upon 1ilton's counter. that the
standard of literary taste in Virginia is
at least up to the times. Many of the
citizens of Virginia read the Mutton for
political informatiOn-the most discrim.
mating political publication on the CON
tinent-and if you visit them at their
houses, they will talk To you about the
last North American" or the criticisms
of the Edinburgh Review" as glibly
as the best society down at the Hub"
under the shadow of Bunker Hill mon
ument. There is style and taste about
the Capital which it would do US no
harm to initiate.


Bishop Tuttle while at Virginia sue
ceeded in erecting very neat Episcopal
church, which is supplied with a good
choir and fine melodeon, and the Rev.
Mr.. Goddard, who succeeds the Bishop,
now holds forth every Sunday To at
tentive audiences. The Catholics are
also improving their church edifice.
There is goodly element of faith and
religion prevailing at the Capital, but
Notwithstanding this, venture the pre-
diction thar there will be no place in
the Territory during the approaching
winter where the people will, in the
popular assembly, enjoy themselves so
much as at Virginia. Sociability, kind
ness, good feeling, are all destined to
become proverbial at the Capital What
the people lack in business they will
make up in kindness and those incident
al enioyments which really make life
pleasant and agreeable. But | did not
sit down TO write puff for Virginia,
though | cannot forget my ancient aiiec-
tion for the old town. Deserted as il Is
by many of its first inhabitants, il still
maintains many of the local customs
and characteristics, which have always
rendered it one of the most agreeable
places in Montana, and l record them
here from pure sense of justice.


A lively interest is expressed here in
the construction of a branch railroad
from the Central Union Pacific to Ore
gon. The VirginiaDs say that they do
not expect that their city will be profited
by it. as the road by the most feasible
route cannot approach Virginia City
nearer than the Beaverhead Rock-a
distance of about 30 miles but as a
great Territorial improvement they re-
gard it as something worth their en-
couragement. They hold meetings, and
their leading citizens make speeches,
and Major Bruce is full of enthusiasm
on the subject. If any OF our citizens
wish to spend a few days at the Capital,
let them bear in mind that Jim Clasby
is prepared To do for them in a very
good style. His house is we'll kept.
Good meals, beds, and attention, and
prices to suit the times


/ have Just returned from walk
down the gulch, and find that there is
great deal of mining, both in a large
and small way, going on, that promises
good result. s. r. Blake & Co. have a
fine bedrock hume from which they are
taking large pay; and below there a.
b. Noteware & Co. are doing well. In
Vulnerable Cinnamon may be seen on
the benches with sluice boxes and cra~
dies, all, at least, making good wages,
while up the gulch. l am told, there are
several fumes in operation, obtaining
large results. There will be double the
quantity of gold taken from Alder gulch
this year that there was last, but as the
means for taking it out have been inn
proved, it does not give employment TO
half the people.


You may expect to hear from me
again in day or two, as intend, before
leaving, To visit Summit, where l am
told there have been great improve
ments made in gulch mining, and great
Developments in quartz.


r. Yours, Reverentially,
The "PARsoN."