The Shirley Letters from California Mines in 1851-52

Dame Shirley's insightful narrative of life in new mining communities at the height of the California Gold Rush are lively and poignant, shedding light on the social life that accompanied this famous chapter in history.

Collected and republished, these letters are mainly taken from a publication named The Pioneer, where many of Dame Shirley's humorous and interesting correspondences were published. Many detail the bars, hotels, stores and other establishments springing up in the vicinity of ...