HOMES OF THE OLD PIONEERS. No. 1-HOCK FARM, their shade-giving and sheltering arms above and around the home of the old pioneer, as if to offer him that protection he so well deserves; but which, alas! the As the steamboat ploughs its furrow in denied him, but for the personal sacriunfeeling creditor recently would have THE RESIDENCE OF GEN. JOHN A. SUTTER. fices made to preserve the old homestead. Under the superintendence of Maj. Bidwell, Gen. Sutter had this residence erected in 1842, and which he placed in charge of a major domo until 1849, when, to obtain the peace of mind denied him amid the excitements and losses which followed the gold discovery, he removed from Sutter's Fort, with his flocks and his herds and his numerous Indians, to reside at, and improve Hock Farm. the once clear but now discolored waters of the Rio de los Plumas, -River of Feathers desecrated by Americanization into common-place "Feather River," -from its deck can be seen the beautiful and artistic homestead of the venerable pioneer, Gen. John A. Sutter, standing on its western bank, about eight miles below Marysville. The stranger passenger, as he passes it, is impressed with its beauty; and his curiosity leads him to inquire, "Whose charming place is that?" And when he is told, a bright smile of pleasure lights up his countenance as he exclaims, "I am glad to know it; " and he invariably joins with those who know most of the owners goodness of heart, to do him reverence. The broad umbrageous trees spread from many lands, present a wilderness of By the taste and energy displayed, the fine lands belonging to this magnificent domain have been skillfully laid out and carefully cultivated; and while ornamental trees, and shrubs, and flowers, gathered with great labor and expense, floral beauty in the front; a large and wonderfully productive vineyard and orchard of the choicest varieties of fruit flourish at the south and north-including grapes of the most luscious flavors, peaches, apricots, oranges, nectarines, plums, lemons, figs, pomegranates, cherries, pears, quinces, and apples; strawberries, gooseberries, raspberries, and currants; all that Pomona and Vertumnus unitedly could give-while at the back and on either side, beyond the vineyard and orchards, extend the agricultural grounds. The proverbial hospitality of its generous owner, and the inviting beauty of the place, tempted many visitors-and while his hands were full, his heart was open freely to share them: but now, wronged (and we might add, stolen from) on every side, his means are much reduced, although his nature, with all the advantages taken of it, is still as bounteous as ever; and should he receive simple justice all that he asks or seeks -the princely-hearted pioneer will again be ready, we doubt not, to open his generous and munificent heart to others. TO FANNIE. WITH A BOUQUET OF LILIES. From thy earliest morning hour, Thou hast ever been, Fannie; Toil not, neither spin, Fannie. Yet no king was e'er arrayed And the falling dew, Fannie; Preachers in the open air, Surplices of white they wear When His glory they declare, Who is good and true, Fannie. Thou art like them-in thine eyes Of thy spirit's bloom, Fannie, In their hearts perfume, Fannie. That I deem thy heart, Fannie, Like a floral dart, Fannie? Binds my heart to thine, Fannie; Brightest hopes of mine, Fannie. TABLE ROCK-NEAR ST. LOUIS. | Flat, and Chandlerville, while the blue SIERRA COUNTY. BY W. B. S. Table Rock is situated in the northern part of Sierra county, about four miles from the town of Saint Louis, and is said to be 7000 feet above the level of the sea. There has been already so much said about this wonderful rock, and the scenery connected with it, that I shall not presume to present anything new, but merely give you a sketch of a visit which I made upon it the other day. A friend and myself left Saint Louis about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, on mules, and in two hours we were on top, and I must say I never witnessed such resplendent scenery as presented itself to our view. Far in the distant west was the coast range looming up in the dim mist, while in the north the snow-capped hoary head of Shasta Butte was far above its surrounding companions, presenting to the beholder a most beautiful sight. Nearer us, was to be seen the neat and thriving little villages of Saint Louis, Pine Grove, Gibsonville; beside those of less importance, Whiskey Diggings, Spanish curling smoke could be seen arising from hundreds of miners' cabins, from nearly every ravine and flat for miles around. I was so perfectly charmed that it was with reluctance I left the spot at a late hour in the evening. The summit covers a space of about an acre, and is almost level, which affords a fine place for pic-nics, and there have been several upon it this summer from Saint Louis, and other towns in the vicinity. I have been upon the ocean and witnessed it in all its grandeur; I have watched the sun go down behind the tempestuous waves of the troubled waters, and when that ocean was as calm as a crystal lake at summer's noon-day; but it is not to be compared with the scenery of the setting sun witnessed from upon Table Rock. It was our intention to remain until after sunset when we started, for we knew the moon would soon rise after the sun went down, and we were more than repaid for our stay. While the last golden rays were lingering about our pet, we could look down far beneath us and watch the shades of night twining around those below, and far away to the north Shasta Butte was yet clothed in the golden rays of the setting sun. It soon disappeared behind the coast range, and ere twilight's last glimmering had vanished, the moon in all her refulgent beauty had climbed the highest peak behind us in the east, and sent his silvery light dancing through valleys and over mountains, and it was hard to decide which was the most grand-the scene by day or by moonlight. American travelers are ever wandering through foreign lands in search of beautiful natural scenery, and writing volumes upon volumes in praise of those scenes, while, I believe, there is more beautiful natural scenery in California than any other spot on God's foot-stool. The wild cataracts which go rolling and tumbling down the deep craggy cañons; the crystal mountain lakes filled with a variety of fish ; the beautiful valleys clothed in verdant attire, where sports the deer and the antelope the long summer's day, unmolested by the hunter's rifle, all combined make the Sierra Nevada mountains one of the most enchanting spots on earth for the pleasure seeking world; and it is a mystery to me that there are not more visiting them during the summer months in search of pleasure and amusements, and I am certain there would be, were the romantic beauties better known throughout the world. About 9 o'clock we began to descend, and by 12 we were at home again, much pleased with our adventure. It is no hardship to go upon Table Rock, for the ascent is gradual, and we could ride almost on the top, and I believe there have been persons there with mules, although we did not try the experiment. They are now engaged in running tunnels under this wonderful mountain. The "California Company" have already struck pay dirt, but are still penetrating further, in hopes of finding something better. It is supposed by many that the Blue Lead, which is found at Forest City and other places, runs under this mountain, and has proven to be the richest in the State. The "Bright Star," a large and wealthy company, are now engaged in running an inclined tunnel, and have in full operation a steam engine for that purpose, and should this company strike anything good, Table Mountain will be penetrated by tunnels in every direction. QUARTZ MINING A HUNDRED AND SIXTY YEARS BEFORE CHRIST. Extracts from the Corpus Historian of Diodorus Siculus, of whom Justin Martyr and other eminent men, said that he was the most famous of all the great historians. Diodorus Siculus flourished about sixty years before the birth of Christ, and the period to which these extracts refer, was probably about a century before that time: "In the confines of Egypt, and the neighboring countries of Arabia and Ethiopia, there is a place full of rich gold mines, out of which, with much cost and pains of many laborers, gold is dug. The soil here naturally is black, but in the body of the earth run many white veins, shining with white marble and glistening with all sorts of other bright metals; out of which laborious mines those appointed overseers cause the gold to be dug up by labour of a vast multitude of people." ****** "The earth which is hardest and full of gold they soften by putting fire uuder it, and then work it out with their hands; the rocks thus softened, and made more pliant and yielding, several thousands of profligate wretches break it in pieces with hammers and pickaxes. Those that are the strongest amongst them that are appointed to this slavery, provided with sharp iron pickaxes, cleave the marble shining rock by mere force and strength, and not by art or slight of hand. They undermine not the rock in a direct line, but follow the bright shining vein of the mine. They carry lamps fastened to their foreheads to give them light, being otherwise in perfect darkness in the various windings and turnings wrought in the mines.” * * * * * * "Those that are about thirty years of age take a piece of the rock of such a certain quantity, and pound it in a stone mortar |