54 THE QUICKSILVER MINES 
islands before nightfall ; in consequence of which the 
voyage was abandoned. 
April 2d. Left San Francisco at 8 o'clock in the 
stage for San José, forty miles distant. We were 
accompanied by Dector A. Randall, a gentleman of 
science long resident in the country, and familiar with 
its localities of interest. Our course was south through 
the San José valley, which in many respects resembles 
the beautiful valley of Napa. It is entirely flat, with 
scarcely an undulation. Like the former, it is filled 
in many places with large wide-spreading oaks. There 
are also spaces for miles destitute of trees or shrubs, 
resembling the broad grassy plains of lower Texas ; 
while again appear beautiful groves and clusters of 
oaks, cypresses, and sycamores, as picturesquely dis- 
posed as if planted by the hand of a skilful landscape 
gardener. The soil is rich, and was covered with a 
luxuriant growth of wild clover and grass. This val- 
ley extends for more than a hundred miles towards 
Monterey, being separated from the coast by a range 
of low mountains. Its width for a long distance after 
leaving San Francisco is not less than fifteen miles, 
though it diminishes as we approach San José. Yet 
this entire valley has all been taken up, and covered 
with claims upon claims; so that for many years to 
come the lawyers will doubtless derive the largest 
income from it. As yet there are few settlers upon it, 
and but little land under cultivation. When we take 
into consideration the extraordinary fertility of the 
soil in California, it will be seen that such an immense 
tract as this San José valley is capable of producing a 
vast deal towards supplying the State with food. Its 
