WESTERN INCIDENTS. 23

old method of stamping and washing the ores from the
quartz ; and the other, the Lyons mill, in which the new
process of decomposing the quartz and separating the
ores by the action of heat, is being carried on.

This matter of separating the precious metals from the
quartz, is one of vast importance to the mining interests
of Colorado ; and he who shall first succeed in economi-
cally and successfully accomplishing the object, will be
entitled to the lasting gratitude of “ all the world and the
rest of mankind.” ‘The exact and proper process seems
yet to be hidden in the womb of the future ; and many
an alchemist is now racking his brain, and experimenting
in his crucible over his midnight lamp, in the hope of
first discovering this great secret in chemical science,
which the Almighty has, for some great and wise purpose,
thus far withheld from us.

JUNCTION, OR BOUTWELL’S RANCH.

Our journey up the long hill of four or five miles, —
between the valley of Clear Creek and Junction, was
most tedious and uncomfortable. Like most other ob-
stacles in this world, however, it was finally surmounted ;
and on descending one or two miles beyond the summit,
we found ourselves in front of a most excellent and hos-
pitable Ranch, kept by Mr. Boutwell, with a huge fire
blazing from a large, old-fashioned fire-place, inviting us
to comfort and repose.

A hearty supper, good night’s rest, and early breakfast,
enabled us on the following morning to resume our jour-
ney with every prospect of reaching Denver before night.
The storm had passed over, and the weather was clear
and cold—snow one foot deep, ice one inch thick, and the
thermometer sixteen degrees above zero. Our venerable