Year: 1871

ought to include mention Of the furious storm OF
wind aad rain with which the city was visited on
the 18th of last month. The people mere are so
little subject to such experiences that they are
greatly excited and alarmed by what seems q
very ordinary event to those who have fresh
remembrance Of the play Of the elements in other
regions. But it must be confessed that this
would have been considered quite blow any
where, except, perhaps, by those devotees Of
science who are spending the winter on the top
Of Mt Washington. The lightning was so intense
aud continuous that for an hour or two the
heavens seemed sheeted with fame, while furious
blasts made the largest buildings tremble The
most serious result was the falling Of brick
wall upon tenement, by which three persons
were killed. Calilornians conclude that they
would rather have an occasional tremor of the
earth beneath, than such fierce commotiOn
overhead. No movement was felt here cor
responding with the heavy shake lately expert
enced at the Islands. The only occurrence Of
the kind reported during the last month upon
this coast, was shock of some violence at
Eureka, Humboldt County, two hundred miles
north. This took place on the ID Of March


There is much rejoicing here and in the towns
to the south, over the passage by Congress Of
the Southern Pacific Railroad bill. This line is
designed to extend from point on the eastern
border of Texas near the 3Ist parallel of latitude,
to Fort Yuma, in the southeastern corner Of
California. Branches at the exiremities will
connect the main road with New Orleans, on the
one end, and with San Diego and San Francisco,
on the other. The distance from the Gulf Of
Mexico to this, the metropolis of the Pacific
Coast, will be about 1900 mies,-a saving of 500
miles between ocean and ocean over the route Of
the already existing Pacific road. Land to the
extent of nearly 2O,OOO,0OO of acres has been
granted in aid Of the work, and the completion
is required within ten years In the meantime,
the Northern Pacific road is being pushed for
ward with energy, so that there is prospect Of
three great routes betting the continent. A gi-
gantc scheme of emigration is planned in con-
nection with the last named enterprise. To
secure the settlement of their lands in Oregon,
the Northern Pacific Company propose to bring
out $4,000 emigrants from Germany, the induce
ment offered being very cheap passage via
Panama, and a grant Of land on most liberal
terms, TO each settler.


The month of March is passing without bring
ing US yet the spring rains for which agrcultursts
look with anxiety. As the ancient Egyptians
watched the instrument that marked the rise Of
the Nile, and therefrom presaged famine or
plenty so here the rain gauge is noted with eager
interest to see whether the aggregate number of
inches gives hope for plentiful crop. As yet,
the number falls short of what is required for
prosperity, but the rains have come in such a
manner as to be utilized to the utmost degree,
and hopes are entertained that even under the
worst of future circumstances, fair crops may be
/ gathered. The interests of California are now
so closely connected with agriculture that disaster
| here involves universal calamity.


The Mercantile Library Association Of this
/ City have just issued their Annual Report. They
possess a magnificent building valued at 100000,
and library Of 10000 volumes The lottery Of
last summer, which so many will remember with
a twinge of pain, was a financial success, but the
retiring President Of the Association himself
confesses its demoralizing effect 1t may bo
questioned whether even the rescue Of useful
institution from threatened bankruptcy is a
sufficient compensation for the harm that has
resulted from the means resorted to. The Insane
Asylum at Stockton holds more than one victim
of the disappointed hope which it produced.
And besides this an impetus has been given to
similar schemes throughout the State.


The eagerness OF men to rush after the slight
est hope of easy gain has had an amusing illus
tration in the city lately. 1t appears that one
or two aexicans, Of an investigating turn Of
mind, undertook search for gold in the sands
on the beach near Selby's Reduction Works.
They were reported to have found some glittering
grains, and forthwith a thousand people-men,
women and children-betook themselves to the
spot, some to look on curiously, many to search
for fortune Every available spot is taken up by
the sanguine miners who diligently wash the
sand in old pans and every sort Of extemporized
"rocker." Others carry away sand in bags and
cans, to search at leisure This pursuit Of fortune,
however, is rational and promising in comparison
with an enterprise in which another dreamer has
embarked. A friend recently called the attention
ofyour correspondent to aquantty Of ships stores,
which be said were about to be put on board
vessel soon to sail in search Of secreted treasure
There is a certain Island in mid Pacific, where, as
sundry fools believe, some pirate concealed, years
ago store Of his illgotten coin. More than one
party has made search for it. But now woman
having had revelations from spirits as to its exact
locality, has purchased vessel and is sending it
to the island 1t adds another illustration to tho
proverb, that "a fool and his money are soon
parted"


California has lost the brightest star in her Ete-
rary armament by the departure for the East Of
Bret Harte. lie was a genuine product Of the
Western Coast, and ought to have continued on
the soil that has given bis works the racy favor
that won popularity. Few have attained literary
success in so brief a time and through SO limited
an amount of productions as he a few poems
and prose sketches have brought him fame as
wide as the world Of English readers. He has
not left this State FOR lack Of appreciation nor
for want of profitable opportunities. 1t remains
to be seen whether the author OF the Heather
Ckiuee and the Luck Of Roaring Camp is
eoaN TO the difficult task Of keepiBg ID the repu-