During the past year we have had occasion to note the occurrence of eight shocks of earthquake in this State. This number is one-half less than that in 1857, and one-third less the number in 1856. The shocks, with one exception, have been unmarked by anything like violence, being little else than mere vibrations or tremors, not noticeable by the great majority of the people. They are as follows: February 10th.—A smart shock at Kanaka Flat, Sierra County. No time noted. February 15th, 4h. 20m.—A light shock in San Francisco. Was observed in the County of San Mateo ten miles south of the city. August 19th, 22h. 10m.—A light shock in San Francisco. The motion was east to west, and was undulatory. September 2d.—A smart shock at Santa Barbara, no time given. September 3d, 0h. 40m.—A smart shock in San José. This shock was felt at Santa Cruz, twenty-five miles west, and was evidently more marked in strength at that locality. No damage. September 12th, 19h. 40m.—A smart shock at San Francisco. The motion was from north to south. There were two vibrations with undulatory movements lasting about fifteen seconds. September 26th, 1h. 26m.—A light shock at San Francisco. November 26th, 0h. 24m.—A heavy shock at San Francisco. This shock was by far the heaviest during the year, it awoke most people from slumber and created no little alarm; persons left their beds and sought cooler situations with less attire than is usually worn. The iron pillars in the second story of the custom house have separated from the ceiling above about half an inch, and are supposed to have settled from the effects of the shock; I much doubt the alleged cause of this displacement, as the pillars below present no indication of similar disturbance. This shock was felt at Oakland ten miles east of the city, but was not felt at Stockton, Sacramento, nor Marysville. It was evidently confined to an area of ten or twelve miles. 1859. January 25th, 20h. 20m.—A heavy shock of earthquake was felt in Trinity and Shasta counties. It was felt at Weaverville, Shasta, and Horsetown. April 4th, 13h.—Quite a severe shock was felt at San José. There were several vibrations, apparently from north to south. August 10th, 22h. 35m.—A smart shock was felt in this city (San Francisco). September 26th, 6h. 10m.—A smart shock at San Francisco. October 5th, 13h. 18m.—A very smart shock at San Francisco. November 27th, 19h. 15m.—A light shock at San Francisco. December 1st, 0h. 50m.—A smart shock at San Francisco. Felt at Oakland and Benicia. December 1st, 14h. 10m.—Several successive shocks were felt at San Bernardino; several of them were quite heavy, causing much alarm. No damage was done. Whole number of shocks during this year was eight. 1860.