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New Mode of Telegraphy

to an extent that wholly destroyed the lifting power of the balloon. The balloon was cigar-shaped, and a little below was suspended a car, conforming on a small scale to the shape of the balloon, which carried the motive power for propelling the whole, and was provided with a pair of screw propellers and a four- Mr. Porter's principle was revived, with certain additions, at Shell Mound Lake, Cal.. by Frederick by a small steam-engine. The apparatus worked well in a still atmosphere, but proved a failure in brisk winds.

THE DISCOVERY OF GOLD IN CALIFORNIA. -In May, 1848, gold was discovered in California at Sutter's Mill, near Sacrawas discovered in California at Sutter's Mill, near Sacramento, by James Marshall. The news soon spread over the State, and great excitement prevailed. All classes rushed to the mines. Ships were deserted by their crews. Soon the whole world was electrified by the report that a new Golconda had Thousands rushed to the new gold fields from every State and from almost every civilized country. In a little over a year California had a sufficient number of inhabitants to entitle its admission as a State. The city of San Francisco grew up like "Jonah's Gourd." Its streets were soon thronged with daring and reckless adventurers from all parts of the world.

Gambling became the daily pastime of the idle and the successful miners, and murder was of almost daily occurrence. Vigilance committees were appointed, and for five years justice was administered in this manner with telling effect. In 1856 law and order was established , and for many years California flourished, and was the great El Dorado of the West in point of minand general prosperity.