20 RESOURCES OF CALIFORNIA. ' 



" The love of Californians for their country has been ab- 

 sorbed in a singular and exceptional affection for their State. 



* * They appear to live under the delusion that the rich 

 gold mines, the unrivaled grain, the magnificent fruit, the 

 delightful climate, are all creations of their own. Tell them 



* * that nature has been as kind to dwellers in other 

 portions of the globe, and they will appear to think an aifront 

 is intended." 



This ridicule loses its edge when we read elsewhere in his 

 book, that this is " the land of perpetual sunshine," and " it is 

 not surprising that those who have lived in California should 

 be reluctant to leave it, and, after having gone elsewhere, 

 should long to return thither." Californian miners have wan- 

 dered off in considerable numbers to British Columbia, Mon- 

 tana, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona, but the Golden State holds 

 a warm place in their affection, and they call it " God's Coun- 

 try," a title full of eloquence as well as of endearment. And 

 if Californians over-estimate the value of their State, it should 

 be remembered that they have a right to speak as experts, for 

 no others have seen more of the world, or had better oppor- 

 tunities to make a fair comparison. 



25. Hospitality. It is, perhaps, partly on account of 

 their State pride, that the Californians are cordial and hospit- 

 able. They want travelers to carry away good impressions of 

 the country. Since the completion of the trans-continental 

 railroad, many residents of the Eastern States have come to 

 visit their Californian relatives, and they have carried back 

 glowing accounts of the generous welcome given to them. In 

 the numerous books on California, much is said of the hospi- 

 tality of the people. One gentleman, connected with the Bank 

 of California, has been so magnificent in the entertainment of 

 strangers, that an absurd rumor was published that the Bank 

 allowed him $150,000 annually for that purpose ; but such a 

 story would not have been started about any other State. The 

 hospitality of the Californians is in keeping with their general 



