New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-01-22

Latest News from the Pacifc-Another Grent
Fire In San Francisco,
Tribune Correspondence.
SAN Francisco, Sunday, Dec. Is, 1890
Messrs. Editors. The mail by the California,
which leaves this evening, will carry you the sad
news of another conAsgration, making the sixth
Of those which have occurred within less than one
year, but four of which have done extensive dam
age Of these six fires it is somewhat remarka-
bic, especially when we consider the very com
bustible materials for buildings which we have
here, that four if not FIVE of them, were undoubt-
edly the work Of incendiarieS
Our EXTRA will give you all the particulars o.
the fire Of last night. The whole population IN
one vast crowd rushed in stoutly to the spot, and
there they fought and vanqushed it, Nothing
could have been done more efficiently. The cries
of "powder," with which villains endeavored to
deter the multitude till the conhagration should
have become too powerful to cope with, quite
failed although used in all directions as the crowd
came thick~ning on.
The effect of staying the flames so promptly
last night, and the multiplied letters which are
now going home to describe to you our City as it
is, cannot fail, think, TO give greater confidence
to those there as to what exists here. One OF
the first EXPLANATIONS of those who now land for
the first visit here, is Z" did not expect TO see
City like this-these brick blocks like New-York
These immense wharves and piers, far superior
to any in New. York The great amounts of goods
here, ard people living as comfortably as at
home"
can not give you in addition to all have said,
any such idea Of San Francisco as would be be-
| heved by those who have not seen it. Mr. Tay-
lor would hardly recognize it at all fancy, al
though one brief year has not passed since he
left it, Nor do | wish to attempt description OF
it in any letter for l should seem to be uttering
idle words" to attempt to give the readers Of
The Tribune the facts as they are Hence,
have constantly RETAINED from such an attempt
in all | have written. Beside the mind does
not love that which seems by any means de-
signed for Qd c0ptdadum. Time will work the
effect which snail be most salutary in all re-
spects.
, There has been a great amount Of ill-advised
and hasty Conclusions about California. Men
come here with rash intentions and marvellous
expectations. The multitude of such have been
disappointed They have done themselves no
good service by coming, and to the State here an
injury | am thankful that the day Of such is
about over Fancy" men and shameless women
have certainly seen their best days here already.
Gambling is in the worst repute already and
those who practice it and would be thought re-
spectacle are obliged to do it in cub-rooms or re-
tired chambers to shun the public gaze. "The
saloons" say they, may do for greGsers '-mean-
ing all kinds of foreigners" but gentlemen do not
gamble there"
One consequence ,of this falling off in respect
to the sporting" interest, is that Theatres and
places of intellectual amusement are much in
vogue At the present moment we have four
places of theatrical exhibitions in full blast" and
quite well attended every night, except Sunday
nights. Amusem emit men will have, and to laugh
at q vaudeville lie as rational as to be amused by
any thing else 1t is probable that this too will
give place to the reinements of still more en-
lghtened state Of society.
Even traces Of such tendency can already be
seen Within month past the ladies of a few
of our most esteemed citizens have been uniting
their efforts iu preparing for FAIR in aid Of
building the First Presbyterian Church. The
object is laudable one in ITSELF but the good to
be accomplished by it as affects the Church, re-
regard as entirely secondary to its immense social
advantages. In this effort we have reunion Of
all the most respectable of our citizens of both
sexes. They meet once or twice week in the
parors of some large private residence or respect
able hotel, and there, without the formaties Of q
fancy ball or soiree, the evening is most agree
ably spent, in such company and employments
as none of Us would not wish a wife, daughter or
sister TO engage. Out of this is to be dscerned
q social state of things which will make San
Francisco a peer among her sister cities of this
great Union of States
What has contributed TO effect this Nothing
bOs the presence already Of few good families
About year since arrived Gen. John Wilson,
with bis wife and two interesting daughters.
Soon after came 70 Stockton Rev. James Woods.
with NEST interesting lady and family, and who
have done more for that place than any others
after Mrs. Weber. In June came Mrs. Williams,
wife of Rev. Albert Williams of this city, and
daughter OF CaptanW. s. Ravens of Sag Harbor,
L. l.; Mrs. MoDoHgal, Mrs Joyce, Mrs. Borkhead,
Mrs Hayes Mrs. Gallagher, wife OF our esteemed
Coroner Mrs. Beard, of Lafayette, Ind Mrs.
Crosby. wife Of Senator Crosby OF San Jose, and
Mrs. Wills. The influence of the coming Of these
estimable ladies has bat just begun to be felt.
What win il not effect when they are reinforced
by host of others And these are coming
Many of the "absentees" are either going or send.
ing for their families, and before another six
months shall have elapsed We shall see large
accession to our society of these most desirable OF
all who can come 70 settle 10 she towns of Cali
fCrnia.