I think I suggested this once before, but I re peat it for the information of your shrewd business men. I also think it will interest you to know that to American brewers you are ultimately to look for keen competition. The necessity for the importation of malt from Euglaud must be a serious drawback, but I believe that prime malting barley may always be bought reasonable in California ; and the Southern Coast counties are the points to look to. Among the moro remarkable of our insti tutions is the State Prison at San Quentin. It is charmingly placed upon a little pro montory in the Bay of San Francisco, above Angel Lsland. The surrounding country is picturesque in the extreme, and one wonders why such a lovely spot is occupied by a j huge prison factory, which in reality it is. The town of San Kaphael, the most popular suburban town around San Francisco, is distant about five miles by road or rail, and looks exceedingly pretty nestled among the timber and vine-clad hills. The steamers touch at San Quentin pier, and connect with the North Coast railroad, which traverses the famous redwood districts, and which, by the-way, is now in a receiver's hands. I went across to have a look at the State Prison the other day, and was agreeably surprised with all I saw. The place is scrupulously neat and clean, the inner area or court is one mass of flowers, while men in prison garb are engaged in a variety of ways. Bich criminals are well treated — that is, they are allowed a great deal more liberty than poor ones, and are usually about the captain's office, or in some other position of trust. They smoke, wear thoir watches and chaius, and, to use an Americanism, "have a good time generally " Sometimes they are trusted ■ at large, and in suc'a cases do not take advantage of their freedom, but return to the prison again. It ia different with the "toughs." They are never let oub, but if they aie well conducted they s -on find oufc that prison life is not without its Advantages. The diving-hall is capable of I Beating 1500 persons, and mb there are some 1750 prisoners in custody, It follows that

California shipped to New York £824,185 gallons of wine, and 96,449 gallona of brandy. 