In the public room of the hotel, where we remained for the night, a number of people were collected from all parts of the world.  Some had been at the diggings; some had made money; several had come back as poor as they went, and much the worse in health; others were about to go up to try their fortunes, with secret hopes of succeeding where others had failed.  The conversation of many of them was very amusing.  One man especially interested us by the account he gave of his first journey up the country.  He was evidently, from the tone of his voice and manners, a gentleman by education, though in appearance as rough and weather-beaten as a navvy who has put on a black coat for Sunday.  He addressed himself to us, as he probably thought that we had come out to turn gold-diggers, and he wished to warn us of the dangers to be encountered.