The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-20
Our CALIFORNIA; Correspondence.
SAN FRANeIsco, Jan. 80, Isl

San FRAscisco, Jan. 80, ISL.
Sketches of Sc~ Francisco-L,fe aBioag the Hon.
bre, &C., &c.
arrived here on Dec. 18th, 1850, after having
been exactly eieh, months on the voyage
This is the first leisure time ] have had since
my arrival, or should have written to you before.
now intend to send you sketch of San Francisco
as have seen il, or, in other words, San Fran
cisco in slices" ! was much astonished, upon
landing on the wharf, TO find was at least half a
mile from terra firma, although surrounded by
store houses which would do credit 10 any Atlantic
city. On reaching terra frma, my astonishment
was increased at finding large hre.proof buildings,
which would be an ornament to your city The
Custom House 10 large brick building, six stories
in height, with piazza at each story. On the
Plaza, or Square, are drinking saloons, fitted up in
the most gorgeous manner, the equal OF which
cannot be seen in New York, or, doubt il at all
any city in the world. In each Of these saloons
from ten to fifteen tables, a, which are carried
en- gaming Of all sorts, from faro to dice. These
tables are kept by men and women and are con-
stanty surrounded 10y the devo,ees OF Dame For
tune running their chances Here you rough
looking hombre, who has been fortunate at the
mines, risking his hard earnings at moate, or rou-
lette Again, you see another who has losl his all
drowning Gas he fsncies) his remorse in the VINE
esp. When you enter one OF these places, your ears
are greeted by the syren voice of some good look
female, with the words, . Come down, gentlemen
Come down Here is the game a. which you can
all get rch." Or, again, you hear the voice OF
some unlucky wight, who, having lost his all. has
turned "pimp or "capper," who cries, Here,
gentlemen, is the only honest game. Come down,
come down, and make your piles" These sounds,
and others OF similar tenor, may be heard from
morning Till night, and uice rrsI. In addition to
these, are houses OF lower order, IN which are
Nt.sA al ~. 4.u .N 81
most prominent OF which Is the game Of French
monte IL is carried on thus THE dealer selects
three cards from pack, one Of which is termed
the winning card 1.-THE jack, for ins,ance) these he
moves rapidly from end Of the table the other,
changing their POSITIONS crying. at the same time,
" III bet 600 no man can turn up the Jack II you
turn up the Jack you win; II you turn up any
other card you lose. The Jack jack jack I'll
BET sip 70 man can turn up the jack" and many
- the poor devil who, lured by the desire OF in
creasing his pile, loses what little he has; for IN
nine cases out OF ten there is no jack on the table
But we have seen enough Of gaming and gam
blers let us stroll do sn on " Long Wharf," the
point from which all the steamboats, start for the
river towns. The first quarter Of mile we see
nothing but stores delivering and receiving goods
from lighters now We get INTO crowd, and are
met by the runners for the boats. Gents, going
10 Sacrame nto to-day take a ticket for the
Senator only 81 cabin passage. with berth, fea,h-
or pillows, aud hair mattresses the fastest boat
on the river only 81 ~ "Don't buy tina, ticket,
cir - cries another, I" you'll be cheated Take
q ticket for the West Point, the passage is only
81 ard the berths are clean those on the Sena.
tor diriy. Ifyou 60 her, you pay 81 for your
supper and are lucky, II by paying The ste ware 81
you get your boots IN the morning" Fortunate is
the traveller who gets to either boat with ell his
baggage and all the clothes he had on when he
came upon the wharf.
The above are, assure you, scenes OF every
day life in this city. Ia my next, will give you
sketch Of Montgomery street and the doings
therein.
The seasoB this winter has been nost delio htfrl.
We have bad Dut three days rain, consequently the
influx of rold dust - been limited, m account OF
The wsui OF water - wefh he Dirt FESELoS.