Weekly Trinity journal., 1867-07-27
An FRANc1sco coRREsponorNcE
ESPECIAL 70 TIE f.Isrrr you.xAL1

SAN FRANCISeO CORREsP0NDENCE.
rsprcrAr 70 rHE TRINITY JouRNAL1
GROWTH OF TIE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
rrIrs AND cLUBs-DIvoRoHs-MoRAL
pER-LIrERARY aossIP-THE FINE ARrs-roL-
IrIcs-TRADI-NIw FILLlBUsrgRING MOVE.
SAs Francisco, July 81, 1867.
EprroR TRINITY JOURNAL - Notwithstanding
this is the dullest Of all the seasons, the city
loses but little of its customary vivacity, owing
quarters During SIX months the influx of pas
seppers bv steamer has exceeded the outeo by
eue-half Add to this the number of strangers
who are constantly removing 10 San Francisco
from the interior, and it may not be difficult to
form some idea Of the rapidity with which the
commercial metropolis is growing. Of course
constantly increasing activity In ths erection
Of dwellings is promoted by these additions to
the population, and trade is preseryed from stag.
nation. While our residents find In al this great
cause for rejoicing, cannot say that view the
matter altogether in the same light. The not
able decrease in the population of many of the
interior districts is anything but favorable au-
gury for the general prosperity of California.
Many sensible, well-meaning people are possessed
by an idea that it is only those 6eatiOres whose
lot is cast in the bustling city no attain to
fortune. How much they are mistaken, let the
thousands of cases of disappointment, offset by
an occasional example of success, be received in
answer.
1t cannot but be observed that the tone of So
ciety here is visibly improving. Homes are null
tiplying with great rapidity, the birth ON this
soil of so many children being a powerful in
ducement in favor of permanent residence.
The abundance of facilities for the education ot
the young is another. Many fine dwellings are
now among the features of the town. There is
q much greater degree of socabiity than form
erly, but it manifests itself principally in ten
dency to herd together in clubs and coteries.
There cannot be less than two hundred societies
of different kinds at present in successful opera
tion-social, scal, literary, artistic, evangel-
ical, gymnastical and dramatic, besides the be-
nevoent associations. What is more, they are
all handsomely sustained. Of the musical soci-
eties the Philharmonic and the Handel and Hay
den Societies are the chief. For wonder, the
latter is presided over by an eminent lawyer, who
thus diverts his elegant leisure. Mr.. J. Mem.
Shafter has had thorough musical education,
and at the meetings of the society he may be
heard pitching his voice. with the rest of the
singers, being good chorus and oratorio
singer as we have. Of the literary societies the
" Hawthorne" is the most select, being recruited
from the families of our most respectable cti-
zens, and ranking among its members such young
men as Charles Warren Stoddard, the graceful
poet. Then we have several dramatic associa-
tions for the production of private theatricals,
in which much talent is evinced. There is, in
fact, perfect furore for amateur dramatics in
private circles-whether for good or evil result
time alone may determine. All these societies
give occasional balls and social entertainments
Some rich and all 1ourishng. The
Hawthornes publish a neat monthly periodical in
which the literary illusions of its members are
duly embalmed.
AS one of the consequences of the prevailing
extravaganza, (for San Franciscans are as pro-
verbal as ever for their lavish expenditure d.
vorces are distressingly numerous. large pro-
portion of our women think, apparently, of
nothing but dress and display, and e1pend
small fortune upon their wardrobes alone. They
live great deal in public and the fatal facility
with which acquaintances are made and want of
prudential safeguards provides tie frivolous with
many fast acquaintances, who often lure them
to their ruin. On the other hand there is far too
much dissipation among the class of married
men-always good ground for divorce. think
cases of this nature which figure on the dockets.
The Partisan system of dwelling in hotels may
have something to do with the social unhappi-
ness which meets the eve ut every turn.
Morally, the city, am compelled to admit,
does not improve. In fact, l fear it is rather re-
trograding. The streets are paraded at all hours
of the day and night by rowdies and dissolute
characters, and Pacific street and adjoining To-
calities seethe with sin and TEEN with dance
cellars or " diving BELLS" The number of COM
mitments Mt the Police Office for various offences
from petty larceny to murder-is appalling.
The last capital offence was committed, last week
by youth of eighteen, his victim being wo-
man of i'll repute, whom he had undertaken to
rob- But few months out of the public schools,
we find him frequenting haunts of vice like any
old stager, and wearing revolver habitually
upon his person. This tendency to evil habits
on the part Of the young is an unpleasant fea-
ture in our social statistics.
Literary matters have received an impetus
from the recent publication of couple Of spirited
remances from the pens of California writer's
u In Bonds" by Laura Preston, and the The
Greek Slave" by Mrs. Mendenhall. May Went
worth's Poetry of the Pacific has met with a
handsome sale, which must be encouraging to
the seventy five ladies and gentlemen who figure
in its pages. Roman Co. announce several
new publications. Stoddard's Poems are to be
out in very few days, mostly by subscription.
James Linen has also just furnished q new poem
entitled "The Golden Gate" of which those
Who have been permitted a glimpse at the man.
uscript speak highly. 1t will be illustrated by
Wandesforde and others of our best artists, the
scene being laid, in the words of the author
Where tho hungry wolves Of the dreary past
Howled over the cliffs to the bowling blast
Where the screaming gulis, finding crewless decks
Rest their weary wings on the drifting wrecks"
The fine arts languish terribly in San Fran
cisco. Our Art Union, in which WE once took
SO much pride, has permanently collapsed.
Nast's great picture, Sherman's March Through
Georgia, has been sent home, not paying ex-
penses here. Jewett is the only artist who has
really acquired competency BY his brush.
Politically, there is great excitement just pres
ent. The workingmen have become formidable
element in our local politics, butt after all, as is
usually the case, number of them have been
the dupes of designing politicians fighting un-
der the banner. Of a spurious Democracy. The
| Gorhamites have succeeded, however, in bring
ing over to their side the Peoples Party, and
that ensures his election as Governor beyond q
doubt.
Trade is dull, just now, but jobbing is brisk.
Large quantities Of grain and the staple pro-
ducts are arriving