Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-06-14

iOHONiuS lCittij lSNShca W q SSh'AS-
man of this city from friend in California,
has been handed us for publication. It is
writtenin an easy way, familiar style, and gives
some glowing descriptions Of "San Francisco
as itisn
SAN Francisco May, 1884.
1t is not because have forgotten yourself
and your imitless hospitality that have not
written to You long ago; but it is that have
been in the predicament of the knife-grinder,"
no story to tell; and L, am not in much better
condition now-still feel in better humor
with myself and the rest of the race than |
have done since landed on these shores.
My occupations have been various though
brief / have reported "breach Of promise"
case for an up-country paper, copied the pro-
ceedings of an Odd-Fellows lodge, assorted
letters in the post office, surveyed, written
squibs for city newspaper, the intellectual
palate is not very sensitive here) and lastly
have been employed for the past two or three
days in writing vituperatory articles for pas
sionate old gentleman, who became involved
in personal difficulty, but had not the wit to
extricate himself; and rather doubt if have
accomplished that same either-though scored
his adversary and charged him $3.50 for it.
He is rich and may be of further use to me. |
have been invited to be sort of assistant editor
of paper, but | am rather dubious of my
ability, and the support it would afford me.
| have been promised a place in the city hall
"poco tiempo;' and this is all have to say of
myself except that / have not yet BACKED
boots or doned the white apron of the garcon.
! am much obliged to you for having intro
duced me to S., because, in.primis, he is a very
clever fellow, and then he obtained me passage
in government steamer from San Diego to
this place, thereby saving me fifty dollars.
This is probably the fastest town, occupied by
the fastest inhabitants, now existing Men,
women, horses, dogs, cats and rats There are
about 100000 rats for every human being) are
running up the street and down the street as
if a battalion of devils were after them. A
horse and cart runs overa man, and the driver
doesn't even stop to see the result. A pie
driver mashes mans foot to jelly; he is
jerked out and the pile driver would mash
another the very next second if an opportunity
offered, for the accident does not stay its pro-
gress a moment of time. If you attempt to
cross ut the intersection of two streets, the
chances are ten to one that you are run over
by, at least, four something's. Everything is
done IN hurry. They buy, sell, marry,
divorce, and die in hurry. There are six
hundred divorce cases now waiting the dec-
sion of the legislature.)
The stores, places of amusement and resort
are the most beautiful and superb ever saw
or imagined. One window Of jewellers store
contains more valuable and splendid ornaments
than would buy any Washington shop out and
out nuff.boxes, 81 900; watches, $4 900 and
$4,000; goblets, $500; cane heads, 5000, and so
on. There is a drug store, just one beautifully
assorted mass ofgold, silver, glass and marble.
Gold, silver, and pearl spatulas, with agate
handles. Scales of solid silver with agate
stand.
Mantua makers have wax models represent
ing the most beautiful and voluptuous women,
dressed in the most costly and magnificent
manner SO perfect that five feet off, you
could not tell them from models with blood
coursing through their bodies. Gold dollars
are thrown into window as something to be
looked at simply. / think / saw about half q
peck in one window A dentist has for sign
an immense coral tooth, looking as if it had
just been extracted from the gum Of Titan
A halter has twenty or thirty hats, elegant
hats, suspended in the street before his door,
merely to indicate what can be procured with
in. There they remain until they get rusty,
when their places are filed by new ones.
The theatre 1.-THE metropolitan y is the most
beautiful in the United States. 1t is formed of
splendid mouldings, gold and crimson velvet
Every scene is meritorious and finished pic
ture, and the stage machinery is all conducted
with view to natural effect. A moon will rise
and gradually disappear as the scene in the
play may call for. Ships sail as ships should
sail they do not appear and then slide off
Trees do not look as if they could as readily
generate brick bats as fruit and leaves; and
houses are palnJcQ Win ali rc8dTu iOT INC times
and places they represent. ! have been three
times this week to see Madame Bishop, in
Norma and Sonnambula. Madame Thillon,
Kate Hays, and Madame Bishop are all in San
Francisco at this time. When could poor old
Washington support such trio?
You must pay for everything, but as | am
not in the mercantile line ] will not enumerate
list of prices. | will, however, mention one
little incident that occurred yesterday-four
strawberries sold at "Robbs Ia famous res
taurant) for 81 25 and all he had sold for
SIS tumbler, little tumblers containing thirty
berries, not a bit larger than those we buy at
home for a bit quart, nor half so good.
ate So worth. About twenty dollars worth
would have been genteel plateful at home.
have often and often wished that was in
your little sanctum, even if Mrs. -- was in a
bad humor at the appearance of mysterious
hackmen or c. and E. were holding
duet of their own composition, on the cres