The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-11-20
Cinnamon in California.

lngton Republic,
Cinnamon in California.
A San Francisco correspondent OF the N.
Y. Tribune, under date Of September LIST,
writes as follows:
"The Chinese are destined to exert an
important influence in this country. For
the last six months, they have supplied a
larger number Of immigrants than any other
country-not excepting the Atlantic section
of the Union. mean 10 say the excess of
immigration over emigration has been more
in their favor. Scarcely week elapses
without the arrival Of so to $50 Celestiais.
Very few of them abandon the country.
They appear to shape their course for per
,nanent residence. The greater number
equip themselves for mining, and set off IN
search Of gold. But many have settled
down in trade or business in this city. The
various grades Of society are well repre-
seDted. Many of them are laiOrers and
rustics, while some appear to he educated
and polished. They all hail from Canton.
! 1t would not be creditaEle 10 come from any
other place.
| You can scarcely look into the street but
you see troops Of Chinese. Here are doz
en- marching in single file, irregularly, and
making a tour Of observation, noting with
curiosity everything around them. Here is
another troop, twenty or more, laden with
tin pans, boots, and various preparations for
the mines. Still larger bodies may be seen
with sacks Of sugar and rice on their backs,
carrying them to their storehouses after the
manner of ants Or if The load be TOO
heavy for one, two Of them tug it on q pole.
There is chap with a huge basket Of
clothing, at the heels Of an odd looking ge-
MUS, who wears odd looking spectacles,
and who reads his book as he goes, to find
the proper stopping places. Occasionally,
You behold fifty or hundred in one gang,
Just arrived, ami staring with amaZement
at everything, getting along about as fast as
children going along to school on parade
day.
The Chinese are slow in assuming the
American costume. Their clumsy shoes
first come off, and are replaced by boots,
often, as much too large. They are fond
of big boots, and will seldom submit TO a
good fit if they can get pair of boots oi
greater capacity for the same money. Their
feet are generally small.
After sticking their neither eXtreDities in
TO leathern boots, the revolution attacks the
head. The black wooden skuil-cap, or the
big cane umbrella hat, heavy rs Charlie
magne's crown, gives place to the Califor-
ma siouch. Further than this the China
man seldom advances; about one in fifty
takes the next step, which is to don the en-
tire American costume; but the mass con-
tinue to exhibit their wiry, elliptic shank:
: enveloped in tigh, flannel or nankeen, o,
. each one sticking through a petiicoat which
| ventures ScarrPly hotnxy The knee
The Chinese are great gabbIers, and THEN
dialect strikes you as singular You car
, scarcely catch a distinct sound. 1t is near.
, tly all vowel, tho consonants being almos
, undistinguishable. Americans rarely AT
tempt to learn it. ..
They are very temperate and China
man is scarcely ever known to be drunk o.
, noisy in the. streets. ia their houses. they
, make merry with music and dancing. The,
are fond of smoking cigare,os, and ART
; growing III civilization fast enough to smoke
, i'll the streets. .....
, 1t must be evident that events of grea
moment in the history of the world arr
/ destined TO grow out Of the rapid coIoDiza
tion of this Pacific shore, and the open,n;
Of new channels of commerce and socia
intercourse. The past half of the presen
century is full of the miracles of scieUce an,
art. The current half will not he wanting
Who can imagine what the year 1901 will
bring forth! China, Japan, India, the Is
lands of the sea. will not be as they nov
are. A turning and an overturning are a
hand. The Chinese emigi alton 10 Califor
MA is one link iu the chain. We live in al
I evenrful era, the interest Of which increase
daily. ..