Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-01-23

.Cny-Winds and dust Customs in build
ing Outside sho,o : Har6or = .Markas-
Want of system an trade--.Jiaine ressels-
Wants Of California and capacity for con-
sunaptiOn-Eres- Waste Of property-City
eIpenses, DC. 3.r -... . wv.
PORTLAND, OREGON, Nov. L, 1850.
DEAR TINES Perhaps you have heard the
anecdote of the newly arrived adyenturer in
San Francisco, whe, pursuant to promise, sat
down to indi,e letter to the s'friends he had
left behind him." After much thought upon
the subject he condensed all his impressions of
the country, and all that he could discover in
it worthy of note into the significant sentence,
sCahfornia Be ID, Particulars in M
nert" Batting the propriety of the expression
am of opinion that the large majority of new
corners TO this world of hustle and suffering,
would find it exceedingly expressive of their
own feelings and emotions. As a general
rule they are disposed to escape from the city
as speedily as possible, hoping 10 find in the
interior more genial atmosphere, and things
more in unison with their tastes and disposi-
tions. But, alack-a-day, go where you will
on this side the continent, and at every step
you will feel your loneliness, and daily realize
more and more that you have sirayed away
from home.
San Francisco is situated in hollow, be-
tween three sand hills, two of them being too
-, tn adr Of htttl1
them. As the city is beautifully built pa
per, more than one third of ii is covered with
water-several streets being laid out where
the water is at present deep enough for yes
sci to ride at anchor. Since the numerous fires
which have desolated portions of the city, there
has been erected quite number of substantial
brick edifces, which would do no discredit 10
yonr Atlantic cities. The principal portion of
the city, however, is built in the most unsub-
stantial manner, and awaits only its turn 10 be
swept off by the devouring element. Upon
the whole, San Francisco is a most unprepos-
sessing place. Extremely uneven, the air
filled with clouds of dust raised by the prevail
ing wind, the principal streets crowded with
teams driven BY the most awkward and unskil-
ful of tcamsters. with the most miserable apol-
ogies for sidewalks, person feels great relief
70 escape 10 vessel in the harbor, or even 10
take temporary shelter in a dram-shop or
gambling saloon, the doors of which are con-
stautiy gaping upon the street. spent some
three weeks i'll the city, living on shipboard in
,bo af,ar On abSnncn frnrn thp placa of
about SIX weeks, and never did witness such
transformation produced by human hands in
any one place in 50 short time, as had taken
place there. Where | had seen only smoul-
dering ruins by the acre, were now brick and
wooden buildings, from one T. four stories III
height, in all stages of progress, and some even
completed and occupied-occupied and COM
pleted, / should rather say, for ii is one of the
customs of the place to commence occupancy
as soon as the first story Is covered over. The
famous Parker House-a noted gaming estab-
iishmeut-from May to September, was raised
only TO The floor of the second story, and stood
there roofess, while the most gorgeous dis
plays were made below, and scenes enacted
that would cause devils themselves 10 blush
| have seen on one of the streets brick build
ing, with the workmen laying the walls of the
second story, while below was wholesale and
retail store in fnl blast, displaying over the
door as splendid block-letter sign as you
would often scare up in Boston or New York
"JAMEs KING OF WuLhM''-that is the way
he signs his name-a distinguished banker in
the city, while | was there, occupied brick
building minus the roof and indeed SO COM
mon is the practice of doing business in hnfn-
ished buildings that it may be put down as
one of the established customs OF the place -
When it is remembered that during some six
months of the year no rain falls in any portion
of California, it will be seen that the custom
referred to, is attended with no serious incon-
veniehce.
A stranger, on coming 10 San Francisco, is
struck at once with the temporary appearance
of almost every thing his eye rests upon
Outside show and garnish make up the city,
with the few exceptions already referred 10
I'D a second New York. outrvalling even its
senior in wealth and splendor, will have tc
wait long time, imagine, ere they see theil
expectations realized. For one, believe Sar
Francisco has already risen to its zenith, anC
that another year its glory will begin to fade
away. Prophecies are hazardous, however
and will not venture TO put forth too many
at once.
The chief attraction about this city is its
spacious harbor, where now may be seen no
much less than a Thousand sail, anchored 81
close together that should fire break out il
the fleet, property would have to suffer some
at any rate / would advise any one who ma.
wish 10 survey the beauties of the harbor
however. TO confine his view within the waite
line; for the moment be looks upon the shor
beyond he diseovers-except in the rainy sea
son-only barren sands, naked rocks and an
thing but vegetable and animal Ete.
The great annoyances of San Francisco ar
the wind and dust. Regularly every day dur
ing the dry season, at from ten to twelv
o'clock, the wind rises and blows such per
feet gale that it is quite unsafe for small boat
in the harbor; and even large lighters ar
frequently swamped, The whole region bein!