of the worst part of a frenzied and terrified populace. Besides, as we have seen, the circumstances atttending the massacre show, that it sprang out of a popular riot rather than from a premeditated plan. But the Commune, when it might have put a stop to the massacres, encouraged the murderers, and paid them the wages of blood. Marat and his associates even published a proclamation to the people of France, boasting of the commission of these "acts of justice," as he styled them, and urging the departments to imitate Paris! The opinion that Danton was not directly accessory to, or at least the cause of the September massacres, is further confirmed by the views of his contemporaries, the Girondins, respecting that occurrence. They never ceased to denounce the Septembrisers, and yet Danton does not appear to have been implicated by them, or openly accused. When Louvet delivered his celebrated philippic against Ropespierre, upon whom he charged a connexion with the massacres, he did not venture to accuse Danton; but then, says Louvet, "when all the authorities, the assembly, the ministers, the mayor, spoke in vain to stop the massacres, the minister of justice did not speak! And can'st thou, O Danton! clear thyself in the eyes of posterity from his dishonoring exception?" Here in reality lay the guilt of Danton. He adopted that wretched, Machiavelian policy-the policy of a false, a criminal expediency; he deemed the terror necessary to the salvation of France from the armies of Brunswick; he made no effort to arrest the Septembrisers in reaping their haavest of death; and he threw over the crime the sanction of his silence.

We are free to confess, however, our own want of reliance upon any opinion we have as yet been able to form as to the real guilt or innocence of Danton, in respect to this bloody tragedy. To our mind, the September massacre, as an historical fact, is inexplicable; and more inexplicable still, if such a man as he actually devised the plan as a means of giving energy to that despair through which alone the salvation of his country could be wrought out. True, he was unrelenting and stern as a statesman; but, as a man he was munificently generous, and knew no vindictive cruelties. During the arrests, he released from prison many of the victims indeed, nearly all who came to him-his enemies as well as his friends. Among those whom he set free were Barnave, Duport, and Lameth, his old opponents, all of whom would have met with certain death. "No personal enemy of Danton perished in those days." Such is the testimony left of him, alike honorable to his humanity and his generous manhood.

(To be continued.)

CALIFORNIA*-ITS POSITION AND PROSPECTS.

Ir is not a little remarkable, that the portion of the North American continent which has last attracted the attention of the American race, should suddenly have been found, not only to be of more value than other sections of the continent, but superior in attraction to any other known regions of the world. Scarcely a year has elapsed since the whole region, vaguely known as California and New Mexico, was denounced in the American Senate by a leading statesman, as "not worth a dollar." It was ridiculed as an "indemnity" by partisans at home, and sneered at as "a territorial acquisition" by the organs of the English government abroad. To-day it is the cynosure of civilization. Its geographical position, its commercial resources, its agricultural wealth and mineral treasures, have suddenly burst upon an astonished world-startling statesmen, confounding politicians, dazzling the industrious, stimulating the enter prising, and attracting the adventurous in all portions of the known world. The talisman that has wrought this wonderful change has been a few grains of gold, but it will prove but a symbol emblematic of the real wealth which human industry will create upon the soil, and extract from the shores of Asia.

The state of Upper California is divided into two grand divisions by the "Sierra Navada," a continuation of the rocky mountain chain, running parallel to the Pacific coast, and at a distance from it, varying from 100 to 200 miles. This strip extends from the peninsula of California, in latitude 32°, to Oregon, in latitude 42° on the north, consequently the tract embraces some 100,000 square miles, or equal to two and a half of such states as New-York, or as England. This tract is watered by two principal streams that run in contrary directions, longitudinally through its whole extent. Thus, the Sacramento, rising in the mountains of Oregon, in latitude 430, after entering California, runs due south, parallel with the coast on the one hand, and the mountain on the other, and equi-distant from both, until it reaches 380, where it meets the San Joaquin coming from the extreme south of the tract. These streams are fed by innumerable affluents, that, flowing down from the mountain, enter them at right angles. Of these lateral waters, Feather River is the

*A TOUR OF DUTY IN CALIFORNIA; including a description of the Gold Region, &c. By Joseph Warren Revere, Lieut. U. S. N., and Commander of Sonora. C. S. FRANCIS & CO. OREGON AND CALIFORNIA, in 1848. By J. Q. Thornton, late Judge of the Supreme Court, Oregon. HARPER BROTHERS,

THE CALIFORNIA AND OREGON TRAIL. By B. Francis Parkman, Jr. GEORGE P. PUTNAM. WHAT I SAW IN CALIFORNIA. By E. Bryant.

NOTES OF TRAVEL IN CALIFORNIA; Official report of Col. J. C. Fremont. D. APPLETON & Co.

LIFE IN CALIFORNIA. By an American Citizen. WILEY & PUTNAM.

OREGON MISSIONS AND TRAVELS OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS. By Father P. J. De Smet of the Society of Jesus. E. Dunigan, New-York,

HISTORY OF OREGON AND CALIFORNIA, and other territories on the North-West Coast. By Robert Greenhowe. D. APPLETON & Co.

ADVENTURES IN MEXICO AND THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS. By George F. Ruxton, Esq. HARPER BROTHERS.

HISTORY OF THE HAWAIIAN OR SANDWICH ISLANDS. By James Jackson Jarvis. C. E. HITCHCOCK, Honolulu.

largest, and it drains an extensive valley as remarkable for its fertility as for its mineral wealth. The Sacramento itself is represented as a beautiful stream, running through level plains, interspersed with groves of oak, and of a soil exceedingly productive. The river is heavily timbered on both banks, and navigable for 100 miles at all seasons of the year The tributaries of the Sacramento, as of the San Joaquin, rising in the Sierras on either hand, amongst large timber, descend to the main streams in clear and cool currents, affording numberless sites for mill seats in their courses. The united waters of all these streams, impeded by the narrowness of the passage, through the highlands, spread into a sheet called Suisan Bay. This passage is known as the Straits of Karquin, and through it, at ebb-tide, the waters rush in a strong and dangerous current, again spreading, after passing Mare Island, into the Bay of St. Paul. The outlet of this bay is through a narrow strait formed by the opposing promotories of San Peter and San Paul. Clear of this obstacle, the waters flow into the broad bay of San Francisco, some 60 miles in length, and of irregular breadth. From this bay a narrow passage, between a divided mountain, opens upon the Pacific. The region in the neighborhood of these land-locked waters, is thus described in the graphic pages of Lieutenant Revere :

"These rivers have a common delta, which actually bears some resemblance to that much-abused Greek letter inverted, the apex of the triangle being at their mouths, and their main streams forming the two sides The intervening district is composed of low, alluvial soil, covered with a thick growth of tule, a species of gigantic bulrush, the stem of which is tender and filled with air cavities. It grows sometimes fifteen feet high, and has a semi-bulbous root, fresh and pleasant to the taste, and is the food of some of the smaller amphibious animals. This district is traversed by an interminable net-work of "slues," or sheets of shallow water, (Bunyan would have said sloughs.) nearly all of which open broadly and invitingly; but the unwary voyager who trusts to their seeming resemblance to the mouth of either river he wishes to ascend, is sure to become involved in labyrinthine mazes, and is not extricated without the exercise of some tact and judgment, the expenditure of a large stock of patience, and peradventure the consumption of all his provisions. The mouths of the two rivers, however, when once discovered, are afterwards easily recognized, and the sand-bars and slight impediments to navigation are easily avoided. The whole of the tule lands bordering on these rivers will doubtless be valuable at some day for the culture of rice, which will become a prominent product of California, and probably be exported to the accessible and ready markets of the East Indies. Indeed, I was struck by the resemblance which this immense tract of tulé land bears to the often laboriously prepared paddy fields' of China, Hindostan, Sumatra, and the Dutch and Malayan Archipelago. In the tulé region of California, bounteous nature has herself prepared these fields for the industry of any who may choose to cultivate them, the quantity of land being vast and the quality unsurpassable. These lands are indeed of immense extent, comprising not only the delta of the principal rivers of California, but extending at intervals, in tracts of various areas, far up towards their sources. They are periodically submerged during the rainy season, and, as the head waters of the San Joaquim communicate at that season with the Tulé Lakes, transportation from above may be easily effected."

Thus the whole region bears evidence in its formation of deposits of fresh-water shells, and in other indications, to the truth of the Indian tradition, that the bay of San Francisco was once a lake, covering a con

siderable portion of the land now drained in its neighborhood; and that at no remote period an earthquake rent the mountain asunder, forming a passage for the waters to the ocean.

The surface of California is for the most part level plains of great fertility. The largest of these lying on the peninsular between the bay of San Francisco and the ocean, is described by the author just quoted, as follows:

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Passing near the mission of Dolores, along the Porto Suelo of San Bruno, which is a steep chain of lofty and precipitous hills, extending from the point of that name on the bay across the Peninsula to the sea, and converting the northern end of it into a natural fortification, we saw the sea and bay at once on either hand, and both so near that a thirty-two pounder could have carried to either beach. Hence the road lies across a level prairie with the bay to the east, and a chain of lofty hills called the Santa Clara Mountains, on the west or ocean side. This plain, which is more than sixty miles in length, and averages nearly thirty in width, is said to be the largest single body of good agricultural land in all California. With the exception, however, of the little milpas,' near the different ranchos, it is not cultivated, although it affords grazing to vast herds of cattle and sheep, and numerous · manadas' of brood mares and colts, and 'caballadas' of tame horses. of which we saw great numbers on both sides of our road. This extensive plain is divided into ranchos of four and eight square leagues in extent, and the soil is a black loam many feet deep, as any one can see in passing the dry beds of what, in the wet season, are running streams, emptying into the bay. This great prairie is sprinkled here and there with points or islands of timber, and reminded me very strongly of similar laud which I have seen in the State of Illinois."

This description answers for a considerable portion of the land of Upper California, and the valleys of the rivers are represented as of unrivalled beauty and value, as well for the growth of timber as the productiveness of the soil, and the work just referred to contains the following enthusiastic description of them :

"The scene now before me was one of surpassing beauty. The infinitely varied outlines of the lofty mountains lying beyond the valley; the grotesque appearance of the broken and rugged crags of basaltic rocks; the quiet river winding through the level plain at our feet, its banks distinctly defined by a long line of willows and other trees of larger growth; the gracefully undulating outlines of the smaller hills, which, like the far-spreading plain itself, waved with a golden harvest of ripe grasses, made more golden by the 'living light' of the setting sun; the scattered clumps of the dark green oaks, and the miniature herds of grazing cattle-all combined to paint a landscape worthy of a country whose natural opulence is matched only by its natural grandeur.

"The season had now advanced so far that the wild oats, alfileria' (pin-grass.) and burr clover, which chiefly compose the unequalled and fattening pasture of California, had dried up to straw, the spires still standing, while the seed had fallen-to the earth. These seeds are very large and nutritious, and serve for food both for the cattle and the Indians. At this season the cattle grope along the ground for the seed, and are fatter than at any other time of the year.

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Napa Valley is said to be the finest portion of this part of California. It is about thirty-six miles in length, and extends nearly north and south, the lower part lying on the Bay of St Paul. from which a navigable estuary sets up and receives the waters of the Napa river, which traverses the whole length of the valley. It is bounded on each side by lofty Sierras, broken into every variety of Alpine scenery, the ravines of which are filled with the finest timber, and

* Lomas.

very probably contain gold. At the lower end of the valley the Sierras are six or seven miles apart, but the ranges gradually approaching each other, meet at the upper end, a bold, well-timbered, serrated mountain lying directly across it, and terminating the prospect in that direction. In the plain, at the foot of this mountain, are the Aguas Calientes,' the most famous of the many hot springs in California, which possess powerful medicinal properties. The soil is of almost incredible fertility, the yield of wheat being as high as a hundred fold, while corn and vegetables of all kinds, including the finest potatoes I ever saw, flourish most luxuriantly. The fruits of the temperate zone thrive here side by side with those of the tropics. Peaches, pears, apples, melons of all kinds, and rich luscious grapes, may be seen growing in the same garden with sugar cane, dates, figs, and bananas, leaving no room for doubt that all the other productions of tropical climates would, if introduced, flourish equally well. There is reason to believe that California will hereafter be dependent on no other country for the necessaries of life. She can grow her own tea, coffee, rice, vegetables and breadstuffs; and not only grow, but manufacture, her own wool, cotton, hemp, and flax. Her supplies of animal food are boundless, and the salt is at hand to preserve them. Indeed, it is difficult to name any product of the earth, whether it be to eat, drink, or wear, which California cannot yield, while her mineral wealth excites the astonishment of the world. The Napa Valley early attracted the notice of the first settlers on the north side of the bay, and was among the first grants made by the Mexican governors. The best lands, uniting every advantage, such as grazing, fertility, easy transit by laud or water to market, fresh water, and a healthy and pleasant situation, are now taken up, the owners being Mr. Fowler, Dr. Bale, Mr. Yount, (owner of Caymus,') Don Salvador Vallejo, (owner of Napa' and 'Los Francas',) Senor Higuera, and Don Gaetano Xuares, (owner of Toluca.') The ordinary Spanish and Mexicau measure of land is by the square league, a single league being equal to about five thousand acres. The lands of the Napa Valley are granted in tracts varying from one to four square leagues, the ranchos being wider or narrower according to the varying spaces between the Sierras. Don Salvador Vallejo is the largest proprietor, owning two adjoining estates, which make together six square leagues, a snug little farm of thirty thousand acres of the best land in the world. The climate is a perpetual summer, and the atmosphere is not obscured by the 'neblina,' (fog,) which prevail nearer the sea. In the rainy season (it were treason against nature to call it winter) the rushing and picturesque cataracts descend from the Sierras on either side, over beds dry at all other times of the year, swelling the river Napa to its fullest dimensions. The exquisite views which abound in every direction, the complete seclusion of the spot, bounded at the broader end by the waters of the bay, and at every other point by jagged mountain crags, realize the idea of a Happy Valley,' divested of the inconveniences attached to that inhabited by the Prince of Abyssinia. It is a characteristic of this neighborhood, that the sides of the Sierras abound with elevated table-lands, which are several degrees cooler than the plain, and are admirably adapted for sheep farms. The large estates will gradually be divided, and even before I left California, some of the ranchos in the Napa Valley had been sub-divided into smaller farms, to meet the wants of emigrants from the United States."

Nearly all the land in this province is occupied by individuals who possess grants of tracts as large as eleven square leagues each, from the California authorities, acting under the colonization laws of the Republic of Mexico. These enactments appear for the most part to be transcripts of old Spanish laws, framed to encourage the colonization of remote districts of the new world. Most of the grants contain clauses restricting alienation or incumbrance; but these restraints are practically inoperative. The large tracts of land held under them are appropriated almost altogether to grazing, cattle-breeding, and horse-raising, for which they