Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-07-21
From the ST. Louis Intslligencer.
EXTRACTS FROM ONE OF Nh. CRoOKETrsLETTEES
S.x FRAxctSro. M4y 30. 1853.


SAN FRAxcIsco. MAY 80, 1853.
One Of the most Startling facts connected
with California, is the enormously high
rents which property ia favorable locali-
ties commands. Notwithstanding the rap.
ID multiplication Of houses in all the chief
towns, rents have abated very little from
the highest point TO Shich they have ever
attained since the discovery OF gold in this
region. A few months ago the Union Ho-
tel, wooden structure in this cts, was
consumed by fire. The proprietor has
erected upon The same site magnificent
hre-proof. brick building, four stories high,
and which is furnished with elegance and
good taste which would do credit 10 New
York or Boston. Indeed, ! have rarely
seen a more imposing structure any where.
This building has just been completed at
cost, ! learn, OF about seventy-iiye thous-
and dollars, and is now under tent at six
thousand dollars per month. a yender Of
cigars has little stand in one corner OF
the main saloon or barfoom, for which he
pays rent OF $500 per month, as appears
from the following extract from one Of the
morning spers:
Hon RENrs.-The lessee of the cigar.
stand in the saloon of the Union Hotel
pays a monthly rent of 5000 Tor the priv
ilege of his corner. This fact may give an
idea Of the immense amount OF business
transacted By the establishment, which is
thronged at all hours by "all sorts of peo-
pie" The tables in the billiard saloon are
il almost constant demand. Notwih-
standing the high rent paid for the Union
Hotel, amounting we understand TO three
times the income of the President of the
United States, the lessees have every pros
pect of reaping golden harvest.
/ The basement is appropriated TO stores,
the next floor to an immense bar-room or
saloon, and magnificent biIiiard-room,
which are fitted up with degree Of splen-
DOR almost unknown in such establish
ments, on the Atlantic coast. On the
third floors are lawyers and doctors Offices,
and the fourth is used for lodging looms,
which are let by the day, week or month ;
each of which rents at the rate of 100 pei
month, or four dollars per day, if taken by
the day. At these rates, it may easily BE-
seen how the lessee can afford 10 pay So,
900 per month for the entire building Tho
!, property is owned exclusively by Johr
r Middleton. Esq, formerly of Philadelphia
and is leased by Isaac n. Hall, OF New
York. ..
The Mormons are gaining a foothcld il
j the Southern part OF this State, which ex
r cites a fear with some that after a Will,
they may be found to be inconvenien
r neigbbors. as..l. -.r1
The Chinese part of our population al
ford a most interesting subject of observa
ton. Their appearance, dress, habits
!, modes of life, religion and government ar
" 50 wholly dissimilar from ours, and tn
. world has heretofore known so little o
:. either, that when one has an opportunit,
= to observe them narrowly, he feels that b.
is treading upon comparatively new ground
The first impression made upon the mind
L in beholding a crowd of Cinnamon, is tina
they are an exceedingly supplemented
d cheerful, contented and harmless race
e They chatter away with volubiity tru
marvellous, and apparently are full of fu
and good humor. Their predominant vie
appears to be love Of gaming. The
have almost countless nunfbsr Of gam
At bling houses scattered through the city, an
which are generally crowded TO excess, es
y peciaIly at night, They DO not use cards
N or any Of our gaming devices; bat simpl
small pieces Of brass about as large as
dime, with hole through the center
e The banker, or dealer, takes up a doubl
K handful OF these and throws them upo
IS the table, and so far as | comprehend tn
1t matter, it appears thar tho bets are upo
: the fact whether the pile consists Of an od
or an even number.
They have possession in a great measuf
n Of one or two Of the streets, and in passin
II along there, one sees such multitude &
# tawny faces, with pig.!ike eyes, and such
>, dangling Of long braids, and such a pr9fu
: sion of spnd.e-shanks, encased in lon
. white stockings, and wtha is saluted wit
II such unsavory smells of dried fish and rot
ten eggs. that he might almost imagn
$ himself in Hong Kong or Canton.
eAA--=s-~E--