ELDORADO 71 



A thorough exploration of the lake and surround- 

 ings were made by Captain P'remont, which is now of 

 government record. 



I merely quote the above to emphasize the interest- 

 ing fact that from so recent a wild and unknown 

 region a great city and State has arisen. From like 

 conditions all the other rich and populous States lying 

 between the Missouri river and the Pacific ocean have 

 grown. This unparalleled change is hardly realized by 

 the present generation. To me it seems but yesterday 

 that my five months' journey was made over an un- 

 broken wilderness now crossed by different lines of 

 railroads and teeming with industrial enterprises, pros- 

 perous towns and cities and enjoying all the advan- 

 tages of a high civilization. 



