The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1850-08-01

an opposite line. lie knows the length Of
the lariat 10 a hairs and the instant it is
drawn taunt, plants his feet firmly for the
shock and throws his body forward. The
bull is drought up'' with such force as TO
throw him off his legs. He lies stunned
a moment, and then, rising heavily, makes
another charge. But by this time the
second vanquero has thrown larIat a
round one of his hind legs, and thus
checked on both sides. he is dragged off to
slaughter. The plaza is reflled as quick
ly as it was empted, and the course Of
business is resumed. About twelve o'clock
a wind begins TO blow from the northwest
sweeping with most violence through a
gap between the hills, opening towards the
Golden Gate. The bells and gongs begin
to sound for dinner, and these two causes
tend 10 lessen the crowd III the streets for
an hour or two. Two o'clock is the usu-
al dinner-time for business men, but some
of the old and successful merchants have
adopted the fashionable hour of five
Where shall we dine to-day? the restau-
rants display their signs invltngly on all
sides; we have choice of the United States
Tontoni' s, the Alhambra, and many other
equally classic resorts, but Delmonic's,
like its distinguished original in New Y ork
has the highest prices arl the greatest va
riety of dishes. We 60 down haarnc,
street to two story wooden house "u n
corner of Jackson. The lower stoE, is /
market; the walls are garnished ith quar-
ters of beef and mutten; huge pile Of
Sandwich Island squashes fills one corner
and snveral cabcage-heads, valued at 50
each. show themelves in the window
We enter little door at the end of he
building, ascend a dark narrow flight of
steps and find ourselves in long low
room, with ceiling and walls of whitem us
lin and floor covered with oil CLOTH
With but moderate appetite, the dinner
will cost one S5. if he is at all ePicurian in
his tastes. There are cries of .'steward!''
from all parts OF the room-the word
'waiter" is not considered sufficiently re-
spectful, seeing that the waiter may have
been lawyer or merchants clerk few
months before. The dishes look very
small as they are placed on the table, but
they are skilfully cooked and very palata-
BILE TO men that have ridden in from the
diggings. The appetite one acquires in
California is something remarkable. For
two months after my arrival, my sensa-
q
In the matter of dining the tastes of all
nations can be gratifed here. There are
French restaurants on the plaza and on
Dupont street; an extensive German es-
Enlistment on Pacific street; the Fo1e da
Peruana; the Italian Confectionery; and
three Chinese houses, denoted by their
long three-cornered flags of yellow silk.
The latter are much frequented by Ameri-
cans on account Of then excellent cookery
and the fact that meals are 81 each, with
out regard 10 quantity. Kong-Sung's
house is near the water; Whang -Tong's in
Sacramento street, and TongLing's in
Jackson street. There the grave Celes-
tials serve up their chow-chow and curry
besides many genuine English dishes;
their tea and coffee cannot be surpassed.
The afternoon is less noisy and active
than the forenoon. Merchants keep with
in doors, and the gambling rooms are
crowded with persons who step in TO es-
cape the wind and dust. The sky takes
cold grey cast, and the hills over the
bay are barely visible in the dense, dusty
air. Now and then watcher, who has
been stationed on the hill above Fort
Montgomery, comes down and reports an
inward bound vessel, which occasions a
little excitement among the boatmen and
the merchants who are awaiting consign-
ments. Towards sunset, the plaza is
nearly deserted; the wind is merciless in
its force, and heavy overcoat is not found
unpleasantly warm. As it grows dark,
there is a lull, though occasional gusts blow
down the hill and carry the dust of the
city over among the shipping.
The appearance of San Francisco at
night, from the water is unlike anything
ever beheld. The houses are mostly of
canvas, which is made transparent by the
lamps within, and transforms them in the
darkness, to dwellings of solid light
Seated on the slopes OF its three hills, the
tents pitched among the chaparal to the
very SUBMITS, it CLEANS like all ampithe
atre of fire. Here and there shine out
brilliant points, from the decoy-lamps OF
the gaming houses; and through the indis-
tinct murmur of the streets comes by fits,
the sound of music from their hot and
crowded precincts. The picture has some
thing in it unreal and fantastic; il impress
es one like the cities of the magic lantern,
which motion of the hand can build or
annihilate.
The only objects left for us TO visit are
the gaming tables, whose day has just
fairly dawned, We need not wander far