The Illustrated Handbook of California (Sampson Low and Co.) is
full of information, the accuracy of which we cannot pretend to judge ; but which, at all events, looks like what one would want to have. The writer sets forth in the preface his purpose,—to recommend tho Western States of America, and California in particular, to the intending emi- grant. And it is easy to see that he puts things in as favourable a light as possible. The sea mist, for instance, which is really a great nuisance on the Californian coast, is said, and doubtless with perfect truth, to keep grass enough on the hill-sides and valleys for feed until late in the autumn. There is a tempting-looking table of wages, but we do not see a statement of the expenses of living. However, farm labourers. can get £72 per annum with board and carpenters .£180. A policeman, we observe, is paid £300 a year,—but then it cannot be a very pleasant. thing to be a policeman in California.
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