has been put upon fine clothes, fine dwellings, large establishments, and much display to appear great (!) in the worlds eye; and the more quiet and unassuming, but substantial happiness resulting from intelligent contentment by living within the means, has been discarded as old-fashioned and undignified. DAYBREAK. Not in the east, according to the laws of nature; for there, as yet, all is as dark as the last hour before day-dawn; but, in the west, according to the course of circumstances. The eye of Faith as well as Hope is steadfastly fixed towards our far off, but golden horizon, as they wait for the first streaks of light and help to fall on their storm-spread sky, that it may assist to dispel the financial night which now hangs over them with its heavy and sorrowing veil. Well, be it so; in their day of trouble we will not remember their sins of slight which they have committed against us; and when the two millions seven hundred thousand dollars, shipped from California on the steamer of the twentieth ult. shall arrive, it will no doubt be an acceptable proof that our hearts are in the right place, and that at this moment our position is better than that of any other State in the Union, as it unquestionably is. We can moreover assure them that if they wish to join us in the gold land, and come "with their sons and their daughters," "their flocks and their herds," to make to themselves a comfortable and prosperous home, with just and limited expectations— and not with the idea so extensively cherished in former days of getting our gold quickly, to go somewhere else to spend it ;— then, to the industrious, moral, and unemployed, California can become a second and goodly Canaan: yet, remember that hard and earnest labor will be needful to possess it. M. D. S.-What county? Not W. T. G. It is all right- we shall see. having had sufficient leisure this month to examine it well, we have laid it aside for next. Old Salt, Del.-Twice have we received your letters, but each time have they been unaccompanied with the prepared wood. We shall take great pleasure in placing it where the timber worm will be sure to test it thoroughly-should it ever come to hand. A Tale of Sutter's Butte, with the accompanying sketches, are received. W. H. D.-We feel ashamed of ourselves for not answering your kind good letters, but we know that you will forgive us. A. D., ditto. C. Omega. We have not forgotten it. A Subscriber-Roach Hill.-All right, please send us one and we will engrave it with pleasure-get a good Ambrotype taken if possible. Pick and Shovel.-Could'nt you find some more poetical (!) cognomen to such an artistic "pome H., Oroville.-Photographs, &c., of the Cape Claim came safely. Many thanks. Dr. C.-Don't forget your promise. G. F. N.-R. G., under the circumstances, might renew unpleasant associations-in your own mind. Ellenwood.-Yours will be found a place, as the sentiments are very pretty. S. T., (a Subscriber), Yreka.-Bless us! don't get angry, vexed, excited, riled, put out, put about, wrathy, agitated, mad, violent, choaky, irritated, perturbated, raging, ireful, exasperated, passionate, vehement, or even threatening-about nothing; inasmuch as you might afterwards think (and very justly too) that you were certainly very foolish, and the result might be, you know, in your feeling so. Received.-The Step Beside the Door-Murmurs of the Storm-Spirit-The True History of Hoops, and several other favors. We beg our friends to have patience with us, as they will all appear in due season. of suspense, the loud boom-oom-oom-0-0-| from the steamer as she passed; and the 0-0-0-m of the steamer's gun reverberates through the city, and announces that she is passing between Alcatraz Island and Telegraph Hill, and will soon be at her berth alongside the wharf. Almost simultaneously with the sound of the steamer's gun, the newsboys are shouting the "arrival of the steamer," and the "New York Herald," "New York Tribune," "Fourteen days later news from the Eastern States." Meanwhile, all the news depots are crowded with eager applicants for the latest news; and, in order to obtain it as early as possible, small boats have been in waiting off Meiggs' Wharf, to receive the bundles of "express" newspapers thrown them moment these boats reach the dock, fast horses, which have also been kept in waiting, speedily carry the bundles to the city. Carriages and other vehicles now begin to rumble and clatter through the streets, in the direction of the steamer's wharf; men commence walking towards the post office, or gather in groups upon the sidewalks, to learn or discuss the latest news. Interest and excitement seem to become general. On the dock, awaiting the delivery of the mail-bags, mail wagons and drays are standing; and as fast as the mail matter is taken from the vessel, it is removed to the post office. SAN FRANCISCO POST OFFICE AND CUSTOM HOUSE. While the loaded wagons and drays, with mail matter, are hastening to the general delivery, and the passengers who have just arrived are seeking the various hotels, in carriages or on foot, after hiring a porter to carry their baggage, or becoming their own for the time being; let us, while all this is going on, make our way to the post office, there to see what we can. Men we find are hurrying to and fro, and gathering in front of their letterboxes; some, with the doors open, are waiting to see when the first letter finds its way there, that they may not lose one moment before the contents are enjoyed. At the various windows-alphabetically arranged, with about as many letters to each window as, in all probability will make the number of applicants at each about equal-men are congregating in single file, forming long and crooked lines, and patiently awaiting the time when the little window will be opened, from which the treasured letter from some dear and absent one is expected. Who can tell the hope and fear, the joy and sorrow, the love and (perhaps) hate, the good and evil, that occupy the minds of those who thus stand watching and waiting for the little missives. Further on, too, at the end of the building, and apart from the rest, is the ladies' window; and here stand a row of ladies and gentlemen, waiting as patiently as at the others. The gentlemen, who form part of the line, do so to obtain letters for their wife, or sister, or perhaps sweetheart, or other lady friend; and, if they are there first, they invariably give precedence to the ladies, no matter how many may come, or how long they may be thus detained. At the centre of the building, mail-bags are being carried in from the mail wagons and drays, one after the other, to the number of from two to three hundred and upwards; we wonder how, out of that mass of apparent confusion, order will be restored; or how, in the course of a few hours, thirty-five thousand letters and newspapers will be properly arranged for distribution to the various boxes and delivery windows. Have patience, and we shall see. Before entering the post office with the reader, we wish most sincerely to express our thanks to Mr. Charles L. Weller, the Postmaster, Mr. John Ferguson, his assistant, and the other gentlemen belonging to this department, for the courtesy and | VIII.—Clerks will not carry from the promptness with which they placed the various and interesting particulars concerning this important branch of the public service, at our command. While the mail-bags are being examined, to ascertain their contents, whether letters or papers, for San Francisco or the interior cities, let us read over the rules of the office, for our especial entertain ment: RULES AND REGULATIONS. I.-General office hours from 8 A. M. to 5 P. M., Sunday excepted, on which day the office will be kept open from 9 to 10 A. M. II. The mailing clerks will be at their posts at 6 A. M., the box clerk at 6 A. M., and all other clerks and employés at 7 A. M. III.-No clerk will absent himself from the office during office hours, without the knowledge and consent of the Postmaster, or, in his absence, the Assistant Postmaster. IV. Courtesy and forbearance, and at spirit of accommodation, being requisite to efficient services, they should be extended to everybody with whom clerks may have business intercourse. V.-Memory must not be trusted to, but when an applicant presents himself for a letter or paper, thorough search must be made in the appropriate place, and care will be taken to let the applicant see the search made. office, letters for their outside friends and acquaintances, nor receive letters from such out of the office for mailing. IX. Each clerk will confine his delivery of letters to his own alcove, except when he may be acting as a relief for the time being. X.-None other than delivery clerks will XII.-No person except sworn clerks and employés must be permitted to handle mail matter, or come within reach thereof. XIII.-During any absence of the Postmaster, his whole authority over the internal affairs of the office rests with his assistant, and that officer will be respected accordingly. Now the scene around us is becoming interesting. The bustle and exciting life that first presented itself on the outside, by the arrival of the mail-bags, seems to have extended within; for on all sides great activity-systematic activity—is the order of the time. It appears that the Postmaster, on the arrival of each steamer, engages a corps of from fifteen to twenty-five extra assistant clerks, in order to facilitate more rapidly the distribution of the mail; aud these, with the regular force, are all busy in the departments assigned them. VI. When an applicant shall exhibit a disposition to aggravate, or insult, or even abuse, he should be met with forbearance and gentlemanly conduct, re- While all this is going on in one decollecting that the contact is of a busi-partment, the mail-bags containing packness nature only, and that personalities ages of newspapers for the different newsshould be adjourned to outside the paper firms in the city, are being opened, office entirely. If a clerk fail to satis- checked, and removed, in another. Evfy an applicant, let him be referred to ery part of the office is literally alive with active business; slow coaches would be at an immense discount here at all times, especially when the mail has just arrived, and when it is about to depart. the Postmaster. VII.-Angry or excited discussions upon any subject must not be indulged in during office hours. |