I found that
nearly all the advice I received was prompted by self-interest, i.e.
that among the class I applied to, mostly agents connected in some
way or other with America, each vaunted the excellence of the State
and locality he worked for. In short, the result of all my inquiries
was that a great many different States were the best in the Union!

While in doubt what to do, and with the determination not to be
"done" by an agent, I read a very tempting advertisement, and
eventually, like many more, _was_ done very completely by the
advertiser and his representations! The said advertisement set out
that 160 acres in California would be granted free of cost by the
Government to any one, above twenty-one years of age, and that any
further area could be bought on very reasonable terms. The locality
was said to possess a charming climate and many advantages, all of
which would be detailed on application, &c., &c. I have not the
advertisement, unfortunately, or would set it out. This I thought
looked tempting. My two sons and I could take up 480 acres, and I
could buy any more I wanted. I went to the advertiser (I found out
later that he was an American, but he had been long in England and
did not betray it), and what I saw of him I liked. He said the
locality was in California, and that it was known as the "Antelope
Valley" (a taking name!), and possessed a very perfect climate. The
winters were very mild, the summers not hot, and bright sunny days
were the rule. That he was there in June, and wore with comfort the
same clothes he did in England. That the rainfall was scanty, but the
deficiency was supplied by artesian wells, which could be sunk at a
small cost anywhere in the valley, and with certain results. That
California was known to be a great fruit country, and that the valley
in question was pre-eminently fitted for all kinds of fruit. That
settlers had only begun to go there a few months before, and were
increasing in number at a great pace. That a railroad ran through the
valley, and that all the land in its vicinity was taken up, but that,
if I went out soon, I could probably get land two or three miles from
it. That crops of most kinds, besides fruit of all kinds, could be
grown there, and that the rail connecting at either end with San
Francisco and Los Angelos (the former the capital of California and
on the sea, the latter a large town and seaport), there was an
unlimited market for all produce. The scene