nything that
breaks the weary monotony of their Uves. Not un- frequently they gave themselves up to making night hideous. Some crowed Hke a cock, sounding cut of the bhick darkness the yet unstreaking dawn ; others barked Hke a dog, maligning the howlingcst cur that ever bayed at the moon by their disgraceful imita- tion ; he who could make an ass of himself in no other way brayed.
Physicked of former affections and conventionalisms, and all having come f 3r gold, gold of course was the spirit of their contemplations. At night they dreamed of it, though in the morning they found themselves possessed of only visionary wealth. Beneath down- Avard -pointing fingers glowed the word effode, dig! Far and yet farther before them flit the realization of their hopes until the very shadow of success sinks below the horizon. Their thoughts were gold, golden their hopes, fears, loves, hates. They saw the moun- tain sides streaked with veins of gold, and gold-dust sprinkled the plain. The illuminated heavens were golden, likewise the flushing earth.
Wealth was sought not so much for the permanent power it conferred, which is its chief attraction in staid communities, as for the purchase of present in- dulgences, which is the basest use, not absolutely criminal, to which money can be put. Money will not make rich the prodigal. N or is commerce bene- fited by having more than it needs. Two thousand centals of wheat will feed more moutlis than one thousand centals ; but two thousand dollars in gold or silver depreciated one half by doubling the amount in cumulation will carry on no more traffic than one thousand.
Extravagance seized the gold-hunter even before he had left his home. His resolutions and his desires were extra vagent. A fortune was his object; heaps of gold alone would satisfy him. And great riches, the reward of great hardships, once his, great should be the indulgence. Carrying with him suc
