The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-11-07
California Correspondence.

L
Dear CresCent-This is indeed land of pro.
gress, where time is annihila:ed and days made to
perform the duty of years San Francisco, the
hamlet of two years ago, is now the great city OF
| the Pacific Its noble bay is shaded with a forest
of masts, and the sandy beach on which the waves
silently chased each other but twelve months since,
| Is now covered with long piers, substantial ware
| houses and splendid saloons How different the
picture from that represented to us at home Let.
ters cannot keep pace with the march of improve.
menf, nor Autographs define the length and breadth
OF the broad avenues of trade which make up this
vast city of the desert The mails convey to Won
N forty days the tidings, yet in that brief space
still further stretches the long line of buildings,
while hill after hill is crowned with the work OF
man. 10 day San Francisco is a city of 5OO 900
inhabitants; what it will be per next steamer I
leave to 81 Letter No. ." to say. The first object
ot wonder is the immense number of ships in mort
SurPassing even the great emporium of the States.
and partly preparing the stranger for the stirring
scene on shore The piers are built out TO a great
distance, and are lined on each side with LARGE
frame buildings upon piles, store-ships and drinking
houses. Immense piles of lumber and mercbandis.
are being constantly formed by the unloading of
vessels, and disappear with the same CELEBRITY unon
the drays, carts and wagons, which, like the neo
pie, keep up perpetual motion in this hive of COM
merce. The streets are wide and well graded
what is mora fact which places the Crescent
CITY to the blush-they are being rapidly plapked
The sidewalks far too narrow for the concourse
oipedestIians, and the smooth walk in the middle
Of the street is as crowded with men as the usuaI
Iootpath. Where are the tents-the plank shan
ties the frail tenements manufactured in the
States for FL Dorado You may look for them in
vain, they are over the hills and far awayl"
passed TO the occupancy of the outer barba-
rlans = placed as distant outpOsts to the great
army in the service of Mammon. BUILDINGS which
would grace Camp street are before you rows of
stores, exhibiting the products of the world dazzle
you with the display of costly wares banking
houses echo with the cink of coin, and solooDs,
surprising in magnifcence even European luxury,
are met at every step. Can this be California
eEcaims the wealthy capitalist, as he gazss around
and finds that his dollars seem like Goals in New
Castle. Can this be the place for fortune signs
the merchant, he dispairingly looks upon the
sea of goods. Is this the Wilderness saws the
metamorphcsed cit, who, after embarking from
NewYOrk, considered long beard and slouched
hat as all the mode, and too Cften forgot on the
steamer that he was a gentleman at home. Well
may the EXPLANATIONS arise for the state Of
affairs here cannot be depicted by pencil nor por-
trayed by pen and ink Ofthis, though, one is soon
satisfied, that with bill at the hotel progressing at
the rate of 81 per day, this should be the land of
gold, to enable oae to meet expenses.
Every thing that money can purchase can be-
found IN San Francisco, from Boston ice to Chinese
sweetmeats The looms of every cline have sent
Iorth their manutactures-the fields of every coun-
try added their products to the markets of Ell Do
RADIO. The voices of dozen auctioneers daily dis
pose OF immense cargoes of merchandise. Silks
and cheese, trame-houses and broad-cloth, pickles
and lumber boots and bricks furniture and clothing
all are hurried through the process of " going
gong, gone " sending forth an echo which speeds
across the Atlantic and heralds the ruin of the poor
shippers. These same goods, in the hands of re-
talIers acquire value of three hundred to four
hundred per cent above cost TO enable them to nav
the extraordinary rent demanded Five hundred
dollars per month will obtain but an ordinary sales
room, while $4,000 is paid by many of the heavy
houses. How this can be sustained, Time will
show; and leave the Developments to that bo.rv-
headed gentleman
L he most striking portion of this far-famed CITY
$ the side of the Plaza, or what is now termed
Portsmouth Square. This is row of saloons. fur.
hshed IN magnificent style, and appropriated to
gaming. Bands of music breathe the most inviting
strains, and even women found presiding at the
aoLes and dispensing the golden showers of For
une' They are all crowded from dawn until mid |
nght, but at that witchng hour according to |
Niuncipal laws the games are closed, and the |
banquet halls deserted. The Sabbath too, is |
strictly regarded, and the sound of the church |
gong bell alone breaks upon the stiffness of this
day of rest.
he rapid emigration to California of the softer
sex Is exercising a salutary influence Society
already invites the well disposed to the pleasures
'f the social circle, and the saloons are M LONGER
he only places of resort to while away an sverino
rdlvert one from melancholy musinpsupon " Home
sweet Home" With this chance otbars ao,,'
pace.
Atwell, of NewYork, has beautiful music 90,
'on containing pianos, music and instruments Of
very kind, and our old acquaintance, MissTbomD.
on, Qate of Charities street, displays in her est,b
shment all the tempting fancies of the Queen Of
ashton, sent by express from her Court in Paris.
ladies' can purchase here the most costly wardrobe
'r the ballroom or the most delicate odors for the
oudolr, and in the selection can have the pleasure
shopping amid a charming variety OF stores
Inc planked streets afford an agreeable prone
'Sue' and the delightful rides over hill and dlle
=, w.. oe surpassed After mountain gallop with
-, ma oeue' how tame appears the recollec-
'J IN VI 'De smooth surface of the Shell Road
1iO'9iS are well patron zed here the ST. Francis
-. "S ,aoe Will compare with the St.
'haries, although its rooms have r,,Io. sIiab,,r
'als' Mrs. Wills superntends the lodies, dasa.,
lent and soirees aud pleasant re.nnions ,o
rder Of the night Mesdames H,mn,ord a '.'I i
NTH, also of our city, have opened LARGE bonsa
Montgomery street, which will soon repav tber, $
the spirit Of enterprise shown, Talking Of o.. e
ApisESi lss ne rstsF .s tsW htsnds, ws,, :