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Houses, streets, and society, and life in general, ap- peared crude and raw, as indeed they were.
Immigration, though decreasing in numbers, gained in quality. The character of its composition changed. Men now came to stay, bringing with them their families, their lares and penates, and sufficient money to establish themselves hi some industry tending to the increase of commerce, or to the development of the country. The fitful and irrational passion which prompted earlier immigration was less indulged in by later comers, who sought success where success is usually found, in permanent plodding rather than in sudden acquirement. There were new avenues of industry opened, and plains and valleys were orna- mented with homes, made attractive by cultivation without and endearments withhi.
Immigration was wanted; but not that kind of immio-ration which characterized the first settlement of this country, and of many new countries ; not the lowest and vilest from the purlieus of cities, nor gamblers, nor ephemeral speculators; but earnest, honest, hard-working and law-abiding men and women, who should come across the plains with their ox- teams, their household goods, and their little ones; or cross- ing the water, should come to plant themselves in a new soil, and there remain and build up for them- selves and their posterity a new home. The days of the adventurers were past; in coming they fulfilled their destiny, acted their part in the great social up- heavals which, in their coalescing, outlined the config- urations of future institutions, gave boundaries to thougjlit, and color and climax to ideas; but now their work was done, and the slower process of disintegra- tion and alligation must be accomplished by other agencies.
Three years had scarcely passed before it was dis- covered that California possessed charms as powerful to retain as to attract. It was a proud thing for the youiig villager to visit his old home with
