Year: 1861

February 15, 1861. !


EDITOR HAwK-EYr,-As am still weather
bound, waiting for the moving of the waters,
thought would aflict you with another epistle
from the Rocky Mountains.


Since wrote you last the January thaw has
commenced, and for the past week we have had
beautiful weather, something like our May, only
as dry as ever. In fact not a drop of rain has
fallen here since the 10th of last August, neither
have we any snow on the ground at this time
but we have any quantity of it deposited jus
north of Us on the Snowy Range, and the pleas
ant warm sun Of the last few days is beginning
to melt the precious deposit, and in short time
the welcome music Of the stamps will again sa-
lutte our ears.


Prospecting parties are starting out again in
all directions, in order to be fully prepared with
lodes and claims to meet the wants of the pill
grims in the Spring, so that they may have an
opportunity to trade their teams, provisions, and
any spare cash they may have about them for
erich claims" But hope that the emigration
this season will come here abandoning the idea
of great wealth suddenly and easily acquired,
which has been so prevalent with certain class
of emigran,s to this land of gold, and settle down
patiently ''to labor and to wait" as men do in
other avocations in other lands, and think
fair proportion of success will surely attend their
efforts. Although cannot deny that this is
land Of "golden Dreams" and the soul seems to
plume itself for far distant fight, as you stand
on the summit of some grand old mountain, and
you involuntarily say to the soul to "fy away. !"
Although we cannot drink from "old and fabu
lous wells" or "muse on famous tombs," yet we
can store cur minds here in the mountains with
thoughts as rich as though we were in Italy, the
land of story telling glens, rich in memories of
the past.


We can, like Tell, with cold thunder talk
and "weave our garland Of the ghtning's fiery
wing"-if yos don't believe it come to our noun.
tain Businesses and take a "big drink" of our
most souelevating whisky, and if you don't ''see
sights" even though you do not climb a noun
tain or a tree, will be very much mistaken
Why, sir, when you wish to see the animal show
all you have to do is to imbibe quite freely of
eaid whisky for half a day, and in the afternoon
YOU are in '.the show" The Snakes" are gener-
ally the most numerous, although you vii, see
other animals "too numerous to MENTION
merely state this to show the effects of "moun-
tain scenery"


As was passing through Nevada City one day
last week, called in at the Miners Court then
in session had been there but few moments
listening to the eloquence of some of our 25 cent
pettifoggers when slight interruption occurred,
caused by one Of said pettifogsers squaring off
"a la Keenan," and giving brother pettifogger
slight tap on the head. The recipient of
said blow being under too great pressure of
whisky to return the same, he closed in and
hugsing his opponent in close embrace, bit
large piece from his upper lip, destroying the
form Of his beautiful monstache (the Sheriff in
formed me that he counted forty hairs of said
moustache Oh the piece taken out) involun.
tarly exclaimed Jimmy, is Court in session
now?" Unfortunately for me an old Burlington
citizen happened to be in court, and insisted that
the Judge should compel me to tell the story of
the origin of the phrase, or fine me for contempt
of Court. On hearing the story, the Court
Immediately adjourned the fght-the court, I
mean, and further the deponent sayeth not
Nevada City ranks first among the cities
of this mountain region; situated upon elevated
ground, she sits upon her bill of beauty (and
although not like Rome ruling the wor!d) yet
she rules considerable territory. It is quite a
pleasant place for residences, and quite large
number of fine buildings are being erected.
Twill close this already long letter, hoping in
my next to have some news of general impor-
tance Yours &c. .& a B.