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and prejudice ;  hence  never  before  have  we  had  such  an opportunity  of  watching  the  phenomena  of  separation and purification  as  here  presents  itself. Neither Brit- ish Columbia nor  Australia  at  all  compare  with  Cali- fornia in this  respect,  for  here,  from  the  beginning, there was  always  the  wildest  latitude  allowed  to  hu- man action, consistent  with  self-preservation,  while  in the  British  colonies  gold-seekers,  from  the  first,  were under an  established  rule.

In California,  the  only  government  and  the  only recognition of  crime  was  such  as  grew  out  of  necessity. There was  never  any  parental  restraint  or  guidance, there was  no  period  of  formation  or  childhood ;  from a scattered  assemblage  of  diversified  tongues  and colors the  population  at  once  assumed  state  preroga- tives; and being  ill-understood  by  any  not  on  the spot, and  far  removed  from  eastern  influence,  the  peo- ple were left  to  do  very  much  as  they  pleased.

On arriving  in  California,  the  new-comer  soon  found himself enlisted  in  the  ranks  of  one  of  two  classes,  the hopeful or  the  despondent. If of  the  former,  he  was soon seized  with  the  intoxication  of  his  new  surround- ings, and joined  the  business  orgie. Confident and daring, he  at  once  went  to  work  at  something, — any- thing, whatever first  offered  itself,  and  continued  in energetic  industry  until  success  in  a  greater  or  less degree was  achieved. Often he  would  fall,  and  as often  rise  again. There was  no  such  thing  as  remain- ing down, no  thought  of  ^nelding. His grasp  on  for- tune was firm  and  constant,  and  although  the  slippery jade might  sometimes  twist  herself  almost  from  his grasp, he  never  would  entirely  lose  his  hold,  for  this once lost,  all  was  lost. This dogfo;ed  determination, hope in  the  future,  belief  in  the  times,  and  confidence in himself  were  a  fortune. Should he  join  the  ranks of the  latter  class,  he  was  forced  to  abandon  all  his bright hopes,  and  turn  himself  over  to  despair. Every thing he  saw  was  dark  and  gloomy. A man  of  con- science in society  and  business,  the  glorious  drunken-