Volume 11 (1865) (424 pages)

i 66 Ghe Mining andl Scientific Press, alining aul Scientivic Qrees, “AYE, OE DRO ec ce 1 e e eee d Senior Kprror. “ ¢, W.N. suuTh. W. B. EWER. &. % DEWEY. DEWEY «c& CoO., Publishers. Orrics—No. 505 Clay strect, corner of Sansome, 2d flcor. . Terms of Subseription: One copy, per annum, in advance, One copy, six months, in advance ae Por sale by Carriers and Newsdenlers. <r Et is Impossible for editors to know‘at, the merits and demerits of their correspoudaice, cpusequently Ie yenlér must uot receive the opinions of our contributors asourown. Intelligent discussion is invited rpon all sides aud the evidence of any e1¢or which may Appear will be re evlved in friendship and treated with respeet. Americau and Forecien Pistenis.—letters Patent for Inventors can be seeused hi the United States and foreign counlrics {rough the Mining anp Scimatini¢c Piniss PATENT Acency. We ofier apnlicants censonable fo and they ean rest assured of a striet compliance with our obligations, and alaithfal performance of all contracts. P retercuce, sve villYarnish the names of numerous par for whom we have obtained patents during the past two years. Vnuvorable te Inventors.—Persons holding new inyeations of machinery and important improv ents, can have the same illustrated and explained inthe Mining axp Scimerirte Press, free of churge, ittin our jude rinent the discovery is one of real merit, ‘and of sufficient interest to our readers to warrant publication. Payment in Advinee,---This paper will nat be sent to subscribers beyoud the term paid for, The publishers well know that a good Journal, cannot be sustained on the credit system. San ED rancisco: Saturday Morning, IMPORTANT COAL DISCOVERY. The British Colonist, published at Victoria, reports an important coal discovery as having receully been nade at ornear the Queen Charlotte Coal Company’s mine. A quantity of this coal has been tested at the foundry of Messrs, Spratt & Kriemler, at Victoria, with the most satisfactory result. About half a ton of iron was smelted aud the coal was pronounced hy the workmen to be of a most superior charec ter,for the purpose, and equal to the celebrated Pennsylvania coal, the heat-giving properties beiug intense, with an absence of sulphuric gasses which renders the ore softer and purer. his coal, the Colonisé thinks, is likely to be . held in high favor in the foundries and smelting works on this coast. An analysis of the coal has been made by Mr. F. Clandet, of the Government Assay Office at New Westminster, With the followiug results : TIESTO Gorerecnn comune, COE mae LO Volatile combustible matter. 17.27 71.20 vos Bod 100.00 SPOCINC BYAVILY. cs cccease veces ceeneus 14 This analysis is much more favorable than any we have yet seen of coals produced on the Pacifie coast, and makes quite an approximation towards a trac anthracite. A great point gained in this coal is the entire absence of sulphar and the small quantity of moisture present. ‘The coals on this coast, heretofore discovered, contain so much sulphur as to render them useless for smelting purpuses, except in reverberatory furnaces—a class of furnace requiring such an excess of fuel as to render them inapplicable for smelting, at anything like the present cost of luel in California. All-the California coals are of the character known as lignites, the chief characteristic of which is the notable quantity of water hich they contain, and which they will not part with even after’a free exposure to the highest uatural atmosphere of this climate. As a consequence, this moisture. must be evaporated at the expense of their combnstible constituents. Lignites thus contaih from twelve to twenty per cent. of moisture. ‘here has probably been no coal hitherto produced on this coast, : which contains less than fifteen per cent.; the newly discovered Victoria coal, however, contains but a small fraction over five per cent. The authracites generally employed for smelting purposes in Europe are entirely free from . moisture, after beiug submitted for a short time to the free action of the atmosphere. In order that the reader may the better . judge of the value of this new coal, we compare it with sevéral of the European coals used for smelting purposes; also with the Pengsylvania anthracite—and the lignité near Virgiuia City. We have no analysis at hand of si L any of our California coals, and indeed we are not uware that any have been made: ‘ SWANSEA, ENGLAND, Carbon aera 0. a Combustible Gas oe Ashes Shiva L Alumina Ashes Oxyd of Iron J We find the fast analysis on the authority of Hericart de Thury, from the Journal des Mines, without any meution of the locality from whence it came. ‘This omission is much to be regretted from the fact that the coalis very ‘remarkable in its character, and the fact that, according to this analysis,it is entirely destitute of volatile matter, and contains the largest amount of carbon of any coal of which . we haye been able to find any analysis (and we have a very large number of analyses before us as we write). ‘The largest amount of carbon in any English coal is ninety-one per cent.; aud eighty-eight per cent. is the highest of the Peunsylvaniu coals. In Percy’s Metallurgy, pago 81, that author states that oxygen and hydrogen aro never entirely separated trom coal; but are always present to a sensible extent. ‘Ihe analysis of ‘‘hury would seem to prove that coal is found in France which has parted with a2 its volatile matter, and presenting 97.25 per cent. of carbon, the nearest approximation to the diamond of any known substance. Geologists apply the term lignite to those carbonaceous ininerals which occur in the latest aud above the true coal measures. It is sometimes very difficult to distinguish between the lignites and the true bituminous; as it is also between the latter and the true anthracite. In fact the one runs into the other, by the most imperceptihle degrces. Whatever opinion may exist as to the mode of the accumulation of coal—whether from deposits like peat, from drift wood or from wood in situ— there can scarcely exist 2 doubt as toits being the product of the gradual decomposition of vegetable matter under certain special conditions. All coal was uo doubt originally lignite, the earlier deposits of which have been gradually changed to bituminous, and from that to anthracite. Hence the difficulty of drawiug a dividing line between them. =_ Tue Sincen Sewixe Macnins.— Without contradicting the volumes of extravagant praises with which other leading sewing machines are belabored, it must candidly be admitted that the Singer is all that a prudent and elegant housewife could desire, while to the mannfacturer it has superiorities over all other inventions. ‘These are suflicient reasons to justify the immense popularity which these machines attain wherever they are introduced. Mr. Broderick, the agent of the Company in this city, isa worthy gentleman, a mechanic, and an active member of the Institute. Be sure and examine the Singer machines. Lancus Purana Copper Mixino Company.— 4t the annual meeting of the Lancha Plana Copper Mining Coimpany, held ‘on Friday, Sept. 8th, the following gentlemen were elected Trustees for the ensuing year. O. D. Lambard, J. Larned, J. D. Lord, Geo. A. Conrad, and ©. H. Huffman. And at a meeting of the Trustees. held the same day, O. D. Lanbard, Esq., was re-elected President; J. Fuller, Sec. retary and ‘Treasurer, and 0, H. Huffman, Su. perintendent. ‘I'he mine is reported to be in a very promising condition. Tue London correspondent of the Boston Commonwealth says that Lord Brougham is broken dewn and in his dotage. Fle walks with steps two or three inches long, and has forgotten the names of his friends. } were two or more District Fairs, which kept [From the Dairy Fair Press of Salurday, Scpl. 9.) END OF THE FAIR. The affairs of men, in the reckoning of events, relate only to time. In obedience to this law, the Fifth Industrial Exhibition of the Mechanies’ Institute, is about drawing to aclose. After the bell has struck to-night, and the band discoursed its familiar ‘‘ Home, Sweet Home,” for the last time, the immense concourse of visitors will take their departure, theighta will be extinguished, aud noue left but the faithful guard, to keep watch over the articles which have contributed so largely to geneial iustruction aud entertainment. After the goods have been removed, the spacious Pavilion with its wide-spreading dome, re minding one of the storied St. Paul’s, will be torn down, and its timbers borne off, that the grounds which they occupied may again revert to the purposes for which they were originally set aside and dedicated. There is little doubt but the recollections of this Fair will endure for years. They have been delightful, (as we are led to judge from an almost constant attendance) to both visitors and exhibitors. The worthy President of the Institute has exerted his best cnergies, with an affability of manner that did him great eredit, to afford complete satisfaction. ‘The excellent T'reasnrer nas never been reiniss in duty, nor in the slightes degree uutrue to his trust. In fing, the Executive Committee, as a, unit, so far ag we are able to learn,-have discharged the delicate and difficult responsibilities eutrusted to them, in a manner to give geueral satisfaction. The energetic Superintendent, from the beginning, has manifested an untiring zeal that rendered him alinost ubiquitous in the discharge of duty. His adroit management harmonized all asperities and silenced all incongiderate growlings. The Clerks have manifested a praise-worthy fidelity at their respective posts. In fact all have been vigilant, active, attentive, polite, and accommodating. In our editorial walks we have had, on numerous occasions, to tax their patience, aud it gives us pleasure to bear witness to their uniform good nature and generosity. It is a fact, perhaps, that the Fair, as an Exhibition of the aggregate inventive genius, maantacturing ability, agricultural productions, and mechanical skill of the State, fell short of what it might and onght to have been. There are several cunses for this result. California has recently passed through two consecutive years of drouth, which not only injured the arable qualities of her soil, bnt impoverished many of her most enterprising citizens. The State Fair always interferes morc or less with this; and besides, the present scason, there many articles away that might otherwise have been found in the Pavilion. Iu taking adieu of our friends and patrons, it may not be out of place to say, that our own humble abilities have been cxerted to the utmost to give eclat to the Exhibition’ We have published a daily paper in the Pavilion, tens of thousands of copies of which were gratuitously distributed among visitors. Our advertisers have been treated with as much liberality as it was possible to extend without too great a pecuniary sacrifice. The large and elegant cabinet of minerals, fossils and curiosities, in the Pair, were sent in response to our solicitation, from all portious of the State, and exhibited under the especial auspices of the proprietors of the Mix1ve and Screntiric Press. It is th@ir cabinct, iu trust ; a statement which is by no means intended to rob Capt. Aiken of the prond distinction of . having arranged and classified that beantifal . collection of minerals, ores, sulphurets, ete., in . the glass show-cases, which have been so uni. versally admired, and are a sonrce of just pride to the State ; nor in eny manner to deduct fromm the high praise due his patient attendance, intelligent explanations and courtcous bearing towards inquisitively curious visitors. Our belief is a conviction and our hope a sentiment, that the Committee of general award will not place toocheap an estimate upon either the merits of his collectiou, or the value _{ of his personal services. To those contributors who nobly responded to our reqnest, wheu informed that the Exec-— utive Committee had granted us the space for exhibition, and the care of the minerals forwarded to us, we retnrn our sincere thauks, trusting that the grand display in this departmeut will hereafter he repeated as a regular feature of ail fature fairs. In this volume, in articles under the heading of Descriptive Catalogue,” [all of which were also issued by ns in pamphlet form,] we have striven to notice as fully as practical the merits of everything exhibited in the Pavilion. Wherever we have failed to do so, it has heen for lack of information from the exlibitors. And now. gentle readers of the Damy Farr Press, good bye. In this vigorous Saxon word there is a world of meaning ard feeling. We intend that it shall all be expressed. Our relations have been kindly and pleasant ; and although the Tuir may dissolve, and the Daty Perss, like the swallows in autumn, after their glorious summer revel on free pinion, siuk into repose until another season, there will remain happy memories to cheer the heart and strengthen it for the battle which is constantly before it. Master 8. 0. Hiecins—This young amateur artist,as yet selfttaught only, e&htbits several very meritorous mechanical and other paintings, on the sonth wall of the north or right hand gallery, at the Pavilion. By somo oversight several of these pictares, being very accurately painted elevation views of the locomotives San Mateo, Tiger, und President, all, if we have not mistaken, running on the San Jose railroad, are printed in the catulogue as haviug bcen painted in water colors, when in fact, they are painted iu oil, and upon paper. "The effect of oil upon paper for such work is very snperiorand much more durable than though done in water colors. ‘Ihe fact that they are or could be so elegantly done in oil, upon suth a surface, has been doubted by some; in consequence of which Master Higgings has procured a certificate from the master mechanic and several of the engineers upon the San Jose railroad and others, testifying to the fact, and also to the further matter that they were executed by our yonng friend himself, without any assistance. Master Higsine exhibits a decided talent in the way of mechanical drawing and painting, and in the latter art has struck out quite a new process of his own in, introduciug water colors upon ordinary drawing paper. We spent a very interesting hour, this morning, in his studio, on Howard street. Our young friends, one and all, might learn an important lesson hy making his acquaintance and seeing how much indus, try and perseverance may accomplish when rightly applied. Suzver rron Inano.—The Sierra Nevada . ona recent trip brought from the North to San Francisco about $90, 000 in Silver bricks— the first considerable shipment of that metal from Owyhee, in southwestern Idaho. ‘here are two qualities of ore, one lot being worth $3 25 per ounce and the other $640 per ounce. About four-fifths of the amonnt was of the former quality. One lot of about, $57,000 is said to have been the product of 45 tons of ore, while another lot of about $33,000 is the result of 15 tons crushing. Some of the sanguine Idahoaus are predicting that their . young territory is to excel Washoe as a silver producing country. The faeilities, sneh ae wood and water, are said to be abandant in Owyhee. A Fortucomine Boox.—Robert Dale Owen is writing a “ Life of Abraham Lincoln.” His publishers give him two years to fiuish the work. He is paid $3,000 down, and $15,000 when it is finished. There is not a man in the world better qualified for such a work than Mr. Owen, who, besides being.a thorough scholar and cotemporary statesman, has been the life-long friend and neighbor of Mr. Lincoln. Tue Constitution of Massachusetts contains the following article, defining the right of suffrage: « Art. XX. No person’ sh all have the night to vote, or be eligible to office under the Constitution of this Commonwealth, who shall not be acle to read the Constitution in the English language, and write his name.”

i 66 Ghe Mining andl Scientific Press, alining aul Scientivic Qrees, “AYE, OE DRO ec ce 1 e e eee d Senior Kprror. “ ¢, W.N. suuTh. W. B. EWER. &. % DEWEY. DEWEY «c& CoO., Publishers. Orrics—No. 505 Clay strect, corner of Sansome, 2d flcor. . Terms of Subseription: One copy, per annum, in advance, One copy, six months, in advance ae Por sale by Carriers and Newsdenlers. <r Et is Impossible for editors to know‘at, the merits and demerits of their correspoudaice, cpusequently Ie yenlér must uot receive the opinions of our contributors asourown. Intelligent discussion is invited rpon all sides aud the evidence of any e1¢or which may Appear will be re evlved in friendship and treated with respeet. Americau and Forecien Pistenis.—letters Patent for Inventors can be seeused hi the United States and foreign counlrics {rough the Mining anp Scimatini¢c Piniss PATENT Acency. We ofier apnlicants censonable fo and they ean rest assured of a striet compliance with our obligations, and alaithfal performance of all contracts. P retercuce, sve villYarnish the names of numerous par for whom we have obtained patents during the past two years. Vnuvorable te Inventors.—Persons holding new inyeations of machinery and important improv ents, can have the same illustrated and explained inthe Mining axp Scimerirte Press, free of churge, ittin our jude rinent the discovery is one of real merit, ‘and of sufficient interest to our readers to warrant publication. Payment in Advinee,---This paper will nat be sent to subscribers beyoud the term paid for, The publishers well know that a good Journal, cannot be sustained on the credit system. San ED rancisco: Saturday Morning, IMPORTANT COAL DISCOVERY. The British Colonist, published at Victoria, reports an important coal discovery as having receully been nade at ornear the Queen Charlotte Coal Company’s mine. A quantity of this coal has been tested at the foundry of Messrs, Spratt & Kriemler, at Victoria, with the most satisfactory result. About half a ton of iron was smelted aud the coal was pronounced hy the workmen to be of a most superior charec ter,for the purpose, and equal to the celebrated Pennsylvania coal, the heat-giving properties beiug intense, with an absence of sulphuric gasses which renders the ore softer and purer. his coal, the Colonisé thinks, is likely to be . held in high favor in the foundries and smelting works on this coast. An analysis of the coal has been made by Mr. F. Clandet, of the Government Assay Office at New Westminster, With the followiug results : TIESTO Gorerecnn comune, COE mae LO Volatile combustible matter.. 17.27 71.20 vos Bod 100.00 SPOCINC BYAVILY.. cs cccease veces ceeneus 14 This analysis is much more favorable than any we have yet seen of coals produced on the Pacifie coast, and makes quite an approximation towards a trac anthracite. A great point gained in this coal is the entire absence of sulphar and the small quantity of moisture present. ‘The coals on this coast, heretofore discovered, contain so much sulphur as to render them useless for smelting purpuses, except in reverberatory furnaces—a class of furnace requiring such an excess of fuel as to render them inapplicable for smelting, at anything like the present cost of luel in California. All-the California coals are of the character known as lignites, the chief characteristic of which is the notable quantity of water hich they contain, and which they will not part with even after’a free exposure to the highest uatural atmosphere of this climate. As a consequence, this moisture. must be evaporated at the expense of their combnstible constituents. Lignites thus contaih from twelve to twenty per cent. of moisture. ‘here has probably been no coal hitherto produced on this coast, : which contains less than fifteen per cent.; the newly discovered Victoria coal, however, contains but a small fraction over five per cent. The authracites generally employed for smelting purposes in Europe are entirely free from . moisture, after beiug submitted for a short time to the free action of the atmosphere. In order that the reader may the better . judge of the value of this new coal, we compare it with sevéral of the European coals used for smelting purposes; also with the Pengsylvania anthracite—and the lignité near Virgiuia City. We have no analysis at hand of si L any of our California coals, and indeed we are not uware that any have been made: ‘ SWANSEA, ENGLAND, Carbon aera 0. a Combustible Gas oe Ashes Shiva L Alumina Ashes Oxyd of Iron J We find the fast analysis on the authority of Hericart de Thury, from the Journal des Mines, without any meution of the locality from whence it came. ‘This omission is much to be regretted from the fact that the coalis very ‘remarkable in its character, and the fact that, according to this analysis,it is entirely destitute of volatile matter, and contains the largest amount of carbon of any coal of which . we haye been able to find any analysis (and we have a very large number of analyses before us as we write). ‘The largest amount of carbon in any English coal is ninety-one per cent.; aud eighty-eight per cent. is the highest of the Peunsylvaniu coals. In Percy’s Metallurgy, pago 81, that author states that oxygen and hydrogen aro never entirely separated trom coal; but are always present to a sensible extent. ‘Ihe analysis of ‘‘hury would seem to prove that coal is found in France which has parted with a2 its volatile matter, and presenting 97.25 per cent. of carbon, the nearest approximation to the diamond of any known substance. Geologists apply the term lignite to those carbonaceous ininerals which occur in the latest aud above the true coal measures. It is sometimes very difficult to distinguish between the lignites and the true bituminous; as it is also between the latter and the true anthracite. In fact the one runs into the other, by the most imperceptihle degrces. Whatever opinion may exist as to the mode of the accumulation of coal—whether from deposits like peat, from drift wood or from wood in situ— there can scarcely exist 2 doubt as toits being the product of the gradual decomposition of vegetable matter under certain special conditions. All coal was uo doubt originally lignite, the earlier deposits of which have been gradually changed to bituminous, and from that to anthracite. Hence the difficulty of drawiug a dividing line between them. =_ Tue Sincen Sewixe Macnins.— Without contradicting the volumes of extravagant praises with which other leading sewing machines are belabored, it must candidly be admitted that the Singer is all that a prudent and elegant housewife could desire, while to the mannfacturer it has superiorities over all other inventions. ‘These are suflicient reasons to justify the immense popularity which these machines attain wherever they are introduced. Mr. Broderick, the agent of the Company in this city, isa worthy gentleman, a mechanic, and an active member of the Institute. Be sure and examine the Singer machines. Lancus Purana Copper Mixino Company.— 4t the annual meeting of the Lancha Plana Copper Mining Coimpany, held ‘on Friday, Sept. 8th, the following gentlemen were elected Trustees for the ensuing year. O. D. Lambard, J. Larned, J. D. Lord, Geo. A. Conrad, and ©. H. Huffman. And at a meeting of the Trustees. held the same day, O. D. Lanbard, Esq., was re-elected President; J. Fuller, Sec. retary and ‘Treasurer, and 0, H. Huffman, Su. perintendent. ‘I'he mine is reported to be in a very promising condition. Tue London correspondent of the Boston Commonwealth says that Lord Brougham is broken dewn and in his dotage. Fle walks with steps two or three inches long, and has forgotten the names of his friends. } were two or more District Fairs, which kept [From the Dairy Fair Press of Salurday, Scpl. 9.) END OF THE FAIR. The affairs of men, in the reckoning of events, relate only to time. In obedience to this law, the Fifth Industrial Exhibition of the Mechanies’ Institute, is about drawing to

aclose. After the bell has struck to-night, and the band discoursed its familiar ‘‘ Home, Sweet Home,” for the last time, the immense concourse of visitors will take their departure, theighta will be extinguished, aud noue left but the faithful guard, to keep watch over the articles which have contributed so largely to geneial iustruction aud entertainment. After the goods have been removed, the spacious Pavilion with its wide-spreading dome, re minding one of the storied St. Paul’s, will be torn down, and its timbers borne off, that the grounds which they occupied may again revert to the purposes for which they were originally set aside and dedicated. There is little doubt but the recollections of this Fair will endure for years. They have been delightful, (as we are led to judge from an almost constant attendance) to both visitors and exhibitors. The worthy President of the Institute has exerted his best cnergies, with an affability of manner that did him great eredit, to afford complete satisfaction. ‘The excellent T'reasnrer nas never been reiniss in duty, nor in the slightes degree uutrue to his trust. In fing, the Executive Committee, as a, unit, so far ag we are able to learn,-have discharged the delicate and difficult responsibilities eutrusted to them, in a manner to give geueral satisfaction. The energetic Superintendent, from the beginning, has manifested an untiring zeal that rendered him alinost ubiquitous in the discharge of duty. His adroit management harmonized all asperities and silenced all incongiderate growlings. The Clerks have manifested a praise-worthy fidelity at their respective posts. In fact all have been vigilant, active, attentive, polite, and accommodating. In our editorial walks we have had, on numerous occasions, to tax their patience, aud it gives us pleasure to bear witness to their uniform good nature and generosity. It is a fact, perhaps, that the Fair, as an Exhibition of the aggregate inventive genius, maantacturing ability, agricultural productions, and mechanical skill of the State, fell short of what it might and onght to have been. There are several cunses for this result. California has recently passed through two consecutive years of drouth, which not only injured the arable qualities of her soil, bnt impoverished many of her most enterprising citizens. The State Fair always interferes morc or less with this; and besides, the present scason, there many articles away that might otherwise have been found in the Pavilion. Iu taking adieu of our friends and patrons, it may not be out of place to say, that our own humble abilities have been cxerted to the utmost to give eclat to the Exhibition’ We have published a daily paper in the Pavilion, tens of thousands of copies of which were gratuitously distributed among visitors. Our advertisers have been treated with as much liberality as it was possible to extend without too great a pecuniary sacrifice. The large and elegant cabinet of minerals, fossils and curiosities, in the Pair, were sent in response to our solicitation, from all portious of the State, and exhibited under the especial auspices of the proprietors of the Mix1ve and Screntiric Press. It is th@ir cabinct, iu trust ; a statement which is by no means intended to rob Capt. Aiken of the prond distinction of . having arranged and classified that beantifal . collection of minerals, ores, sulphurets, ete., in . the glass show-cases, which have been so uni. versally admired, and are a sonrce of just pride to the State ; nor in eny manner to deduct fromm the high praise due his patient attendance, intelligent explanations and courtcous bearing towards inquisitively curious visitors. Our belief is a conviction and our hope a sentiment, that the Committee of general award will not place toocheap an estimate upon either the merits of his collectiou, or the value _{ of his personal services. To those contributors who nobly responded to our reqnest, wheu informed that the Exec-— utive Committee had granted us the space for exhibition, and the care of the minerals forwarded to us, we retnrn our sincere thauks, trusting that the grand display in this departmeut will hereafter he repeated as a regular feature of ail fature fairs. In this volume, in articles under the heading of Descriptive Catalogue,” [all of which were also issued by ns in pamphlet form,] we have striven to notice as fully as practical the merits of everything exhibited in the Pavilion. Wherever we have failed to do so, it has heen for lack of information from the exlibitors. And now. gentle readers of the Damy Farr Press, good bye. In this vigorous Saxon word there is a world of meaning ard feeling. We intend that it shall all be expressed. Our relations have been kindly and pleasant ; and although the Tuir may dissolve, and the Daty Perss, like the swallows in autumn, after their glorious summer revel on free pinion, siuk into repose until another season, there will remain happy memories to cheer the heart and strengthen it for the battle which is constantly before it. Master 8. 0. Hiecins—This young amateur artist,as yet selfttaught only, e&htbits several very meritorous mechanical and other paintings, on the sonth wall of the north or right hand gallery, at the Pavilion. By somo oversight several of these pictares, being very accurately painted elevation views of the locomotives San Mateo, Tiger, und President, all, if we have not mistaken, running on the San Jose railroad, are printed in the catulogue as haviug bcen painted in water colors, when in fact, they are painted iu oil, and upon paper. "The effect of oil upon paper for such work is very snperiorand much more durable than though done in water colors. ‘Ihe fact that they are or could be so elegantly done in oil, upon suth a surface, has been doubted by some; in consequence of which Master Higgings has procured a certificate from the master mechanic and several of the engineers upon the San Jose railroad and others, testifying to the fact, and also to the further matter that they were executed by our yonng friend himself, without any assistance. Master Higsine exhibits a decided talent in the way of mechanical drawing and painting, and in the latter art has struck out quite a new process of his own in, introduciug water colors upon ordinary drawing paper. We spent a very interesting hour, this morning, in his studio, on Howard street. Our young friends, one and all, might learn an important lesson hy making his acquaintance and seeing how much indus, try and perseverance may accomplish when rightly applied. Suzver rron Inano.—The Sierra Nevada . ona recent trip brought from the North to San Francisco about $90, 000 in Silver bricks— the first considerable shipment of that metal from Owyhee, in southwestern Idaho. ‘here are two qualities of ore, one lot being worth $3 25 per ounce and the other $640 per ounce. About four-fifths of the amonnt was of the former quality. One lot of about, $57,000 is said to have been the product of 45 tons of ore, while another lot of about $33,000 is the result of 15 tons crushing. Some of the sanguine Idahoaus are predicting that their . young territory is to excel Washoe as a silver producing country. The faeilities, sneh ae wood and water, are said to be abandant in Owyhee. A Fortucomine Boox.—Robert Dale Owen is writing a “ Life of Abraham Lincoln.” His publishers give him two years to fiuish the work. He is paid $3,000 down, and $15,000 when it is finished. There is not a man in the world better qualified for such a work than Mr. Owen, who, besides being.a thorough scholar and cotemporary statesman, has been the life-long friend and neighbor of Mr. Lincoln. Tue Constitution of Massachusetts contains the following article, defining the right of suffrage: « Art. XX. No person’ sh all have the night to vote, or be eligible to office under the Constitution of this Commonwealth, who shall not be acle to read the Constitution in the English language, and write his name.”