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77 settled till I thought we should loose our shelter - while the canvass flapped loudly - with every squall Loud pelted the swift rain - how dismal its sound! This morning - the first sound was the still pattering rain - Wind from the south! Dreary day! no work - no income. This we are stopt - now by rain was by high water. I cannot see how the opinion got so prevelant among the miners that winter was the harvest season. I am sure the summer - has been the only time so far as my experience goes - for good mining. I have almost resigned the hope to make this winter profitable. Neighbor was down last night - gas and all. His visit was unintruding except for his stomach sake. We must have some hot toddy. "I assure you" said he "my physicians say I must take some liquor to thicken my blood". I agreed to his having his own view as backed by his physician - so long as he should - in so dismal a night his toddy with us. By the way Payson has bestowed patronymics on all our neighors - so that in need not be troubled about names. The use of these subriquits is amusing - in our chats. Our list of neighbors - are Grey Beard - Black Beard - Brush House - California Hat - Old Scurvy Big Dutchman and Neighbor (Warren) - "Neighbor! I have plenty of boots on the road! lots of them! and boots is boots in San Francisco!" Payson was guilty of a pain which I shall record - reading him the other Saturday evening. The laborers of the week are over - he said "I should not have written it over, but the laborers of the week are ore."

Saturday December 22nd 1849. After another day of easy raining - this morning was ushered in by a clear sky and warm sun. It has been a day - sufficient to annihilate all the blue imps of a 10 days creation. Wind - from the west - and none hardly at that. How blessed is the sunshine which God has made a portion of man's existance. It princes the gloom of the human breast Kindling emotions - that thaw and melt its unkindly mood. Who that has any feeling - but has some inclinations to sympathy - sociality - some association sentiments with nature - in its gay and smiling moments. The heart should feel gladness and warmth - when the world is basked in