Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1866-03-15
R THE CONTINENT.

Sam. Bowles' new book. which we
recently noticed in our columns, the au-
thor having sent US an advance copy BY
express. is having a large sale in the East
and in California. A. Roman s. Co., San
Francisco, ore the agents. As q sample OF
the style Of the book, we quote the follow
ing passage:
Greater the wonder grows at the extent
Of the Republic but larger still our won
der at the mysterious but unmistakable
homogeneity Of its people. San Francisco,
looking westward to tho Orient for great
ness, cooling its summer heats with Pacific
breezes, thinks the same thoughts, breathes
the same patriotism. burns with the same
desires that inspire New York and Boston,
whose outlook is eastward. and which
seem to borrow their civilization with their
commerce from Europe. Sacramento talks
as you do in Springfield Nevada, over
the mountains, almost out Of the world,
anticipates New England in her judgment,
and makes up her verdict, while those
close to the Hub Of the Universe" are
looking over the testimony.
It is this that is the greatest thing about
our country ; that makes it the wonder Of
nations, the marvel Of history-the unity
of its people in ideas and purposes their
quick assimilation Of all emigration-come
it so far or so various; their simultaneous
and similar currents Of thought, their
spontaneous, concurrent formation and
uttcrance of q united public opinion. This
is more than extent of territory, more than
wealth of more than beauty of
landscape, more than variety Of climate
and productions, more than marvellous
material development, more than cosmo-
politan populations, because it exists in
spite of them, and conquers them oil by its
subtle electricity.
1t is very interesting, indeed, to stand
amid this civilization Of half a generation
to see towns that were not in 1850, now
wearing an old and almost decaying air
to walk up and down the close built
streets Of this metropolis, and doubt
whether they look most like Paris or New
York, Brussels or Turin; to count the
ocean steamers in the bay, or passing gu,
through the narrow crack in the coast
hills beautifully called the Golden Gate,
and wonder as you finish your fingers
where they all came from and are going
to to find an agriculture richer and more
various than that of Illinois; to feast the
senses on a horticulture that marries' the
temperate and torrid zones, and makes Of
every yard and garden and orchard on,
immense Eastern greenhouse; to observe
a commerce and an industry that supply
every comfort, minister to every taste, ant
fill the shops with every article Of con-
v%enience snd luxury that New York OF
Paris can boast Of, and at prices as cheal
as those Of the former city to-day to fine
homes more luxurious than are often seer
in the Eastern States, and TO be challenged
UNNECESSARILY to name the city whosI
ladies dress more magniicently than thosI
of San Francisco.
None of this surprises me. I had larg'
ideas of the Pacific Coast and its develop
ment I; and I long ago gave up being sur
prised at any victories Of the American
mind and hand over raw American matter
Still, Nevada and California. with town
and cities Of two to fifteen years growth
yet to-day oil full-armed in the element
Of civilization, wanton with the luxurie
Of the senses, rich in the social amenities
supplied with churches and schools an'
libraries, even affecting high art, are won
derful illustrations Of the rapidity ant
ease with which our people organize so
ciety and State, and surround thcmselye
with all the comforts and luxuries Of me
tropolitan life. The history Of the worlt
nlaewhere offers no nnrallcl to these.