CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER I.

CALIFORNIA UNVEILED.

Introductory Remarks--Erroneous opinions respecting California--Sterility of the Soil--The Seasons--Destitution of Mechanical and Manufacturing Resources--Dependence upon Importations for the Conveniences and Necessaries of Life--No Inducement to become Permanent Residents of the country 13

CHAPTER II.

THE BALANCE SHEET.

California statistically considered--Cost of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo--Price of Passage and Services of Immigrants--Total Yield of the Mines--Amount of Property destroyed by Fires, Freshets and Inundations--List of Sailing Vessels and Steamers Wrecked upon the coast--Public Debt of the State--Debts of San Francisco, Sacramento and Marysville--Loss of Life by violent measures--Extract from the Louisville Journal 23

CHAPTER III.

SOCIETY IN CALIFORNIA.

Extraordinary Depravity and Corruption--Reasons assigned for the laxity of Morals--Much of the Degeneracy and Dissipation attributable to the absence of female society--The Case of an English gentleman--His Story--General Remarks concerning the different classes of Women 36