Year: 1866

Wine and Wit from J. Ross Browne.
| J. Ross BROWNE the well known traveller and
magazinist, recently forwarded to Secretary Nc
Culloch present of California wine, accompanied
by the following characteristic letter, which de
serves to be made public:


WASHINGTON, June Is. 1866.
| HUGH McCrLLocH, Secretary OF the Treasury
Sir: | am commissioned by the wine culturiSts Of
California to present TO You few specimens OF
their native wines. The friendly interest which
you have always manifested in the progress of our
domestic enterprises is duly appreciated by all clas
of our citizens. and the wine growers feel, in
sending you this tring token of their regard that
they but family express the general sentiments of
high esteem in which your name IS held on the Pa
cifc coast.


As citizen of California, I cannot bat feel proud
of our young State; and venture TO predict that
few bottles of this generous wine will make you
feel as proud of California as do.


In ls49 the number of grapevnes within our
limits was 10000. We now have 10000 900
planted, and constantly planting more. In
few years the grape growing interest of our State
WILL with liberal system of legislation, take rank
with our gold products in national impor ortance.
California is the natural home of the grape. The
vine fourishes from the boundaries of Arizona TO
Vancouver Island Millions of acres of public land
WILL at no distant day be covered with vineyards.
When that day comes you may look for health and
temperance throughout the country.


One of the most remarkable effects of this native
wine is, that it strengthens the Judgment and en-
of f,x-
ing the grape interest. An old proverb says that
Truth lies at the bottom of well; but this is
popular error. In rino est reritas 1t is corked
up in bottle and may be found at the bottom.
There it lies (f truth lies) in all its pristine
beauty-not under pressure of water sufficient to
drown it.


Sir, recommend to your especial attention the
Angelica, so called in honor of the fair sex. No
gentleman who INDUCES in this delightful beverage
can fail to the angel in every en1le face. For
my part. though seldom drink anything but water
the ladies' always seem to me TO be angels But
then have the misfortune to be Irishman, which
naturally accounts for this visionary trait of char
acter.


You will admit. sir, that the port is rich. pure
and mellow considering its immature age. Sailors
will tell you, and have doubt it is the favorite
maxim of your excellent Captain, ANY port in
storm But amid the storms OF State there is no
port like Wilson, native brand. Go into that, sir,
and you will find it a true heaven of rest


"A balm for the sickness of care,


A bliss for bosom unblest."
Secure from the rocks, reefs and sandbars of fl
nance you can look upon the dangers of the deep
with an eye OF scorn and afford to indulge in
quiet smile.
The Hook" is classic wine, similar to that re-
ferred to by the Englishman who declined it because
it come from hic haee hoc-a famous brand known
to cure patients in the last stages of decline.


The Sherry is chiefly designed for cobbers. but
is not injurious to gentlemen who may find it ne
cessary to mend the constitution.
And now, sir, supposns you have tasted these
different brands allow me to say:


All men their duty ought to do


And yet it must be said,


That duty is tax


Upon the poor mans bread.


A tax internal on your wine,


You surely won't deny,


Will only make the wine we drink,


Go up, and make us high


But if you'll freely pass it down.


And freely let it go;


No more attacks II make on tax,


For then twill get US low


Sir, excuse my inspiration. The bare thought OF
such wine as this arouses my muse
Tax anything that cannot be suppressed tax
hoops and crinolne tax ladies' waterfas-dam /
them if You please with taxati on-tax babies
tax the patience of your best frends-tax your own
nature; but don't tax native wine |
like this-the pure juice-the grape that never kills.
though you may be shot with it every day of your
life.
And now, sir in conclusion, allow me to propose
a sentiment:
To the Honorable Secretary of the Treasury:


may his life be ever blest,


May luck upon him tend,


May all his notes be notes of bliss,


With golden joys to blend.


wealthy man he ought to be,


Nou needn't think it funny)


For if yon look, ycu can but see,


He's always making money.


And when he leaves this life below,


To make his place on high,


Oh may the great Collector scan


Him with Free-trade eye
SIR, II thiS generous wine mas inspired you rs IL
has me-if yeu have had your sympathies touched
If it has reached your bowels of compassion and
you have anything say in its favor, do not, pray
you be backward in coming forward.
Very respectfully, your obeiient servant,


]. ROSS BROWNE,


of the city Of Oakland, State OF California.
FAIR WAGEs.-It is reported says the Quincy /,
Union, that quartz mining company in this
county pay one of their hands $500 per month and
made money by paying him those wages. He has
some secret by which he can make dope" which
he mixes with the quartz in the battery, and after
fair and impartial trial ii has been proven that by
this process third more gold can be saved than
otherwise could be. Such secret is worth keep
ins-it pays.
Ms. ". X. Findlay was murdered on the morn {
ing Of the Srd while alone in his store at Slate I
Range. near Csmptonville, by robbers. When
found he quite dead. His body was terribly /
cut, and from all appearances there had been a
fearful struggle. The whole country is being Scour-
ed in search of the murlerers. They were unable
10 open the safe, consequently did not get much Z