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95 The old gentleman concluded his talk with this advice to me "Do not choose thee a wife - for her beauty - nor for her wealth - but if she possesses aimiability - this comprehends all good qualities - she is the woman for thee."
Thursday Jan 24th 1850
Yesterday and this day - were devoted to rain - a freshet following as a matter of consequence. Señor says - "how can this be an agricultural country - where the rains of the twelve month are squeezed into four and the remainder of the year is rainless? We are happy in having a comfortable tent - a place when the clouds are in watery humor. I have devoted these two days to letter writing. Letters - these transcripts of my thoughts - sketches from my hand which shall talk with friends at home.
Friday Jan 25th 1850
My foot assumes its native powers - positively I feel a luxury in walking again. Went ot the Star Hotel to singing school. Men are disposed to be musical even in California. In the dining room we were invoking Appello - in the bar-room others invoked Bacchus with such obstreperous tumult - that we were quite overpowered. Rum and music mingled oddly as well as badly. The Hotels of Natoma! they will be curiosities to the antiquarians of the next generation. We have two in this place. The Star and the Natoma. Canvass houses - partitions made of muslin divide the house into two apartments - the tap room and the dining room. Board of $20.00 pr week. Miner $3.00 and $5.00 per bottle - liquors 25 cts pr glass. They look dismall within - men in rough attire hovering round in stove - place dimly lighted. They carry their own motto. Comfort then are not a boarder here. Señor carried me over the brook and back. So much for having a sick foot - and so much for having a friend. Sent my letters down by Carter. Go ye messengers - and though tongueless sylable my thoughts and feelings - to those friends far away. Long is the journey before you - many are the days which shall elapse - before you reach them - yet ye will be faithful to reach - and not a word will be forgotten.