Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-07-22

mento. Having completed the trip
across the continent, it occurs to me
that have neglected to tell you of tn
towering peaks of the Rocky Mountains.
Let me say we saw no sudden elevations.
We creep along gentle slope, and there
is plateau for miles and miles, then up
another gradual ascent-gradual to the
eye at least, although the road rises up
wards of a hundred feet to the mile
then another plateau, and another de-
clivity, till at length we are at the sums
nit, We look around US and nothing
but level plain greets our curious eyes,
save here and there few broken caps
swelling up on the horizon. We are
not conscious of our elevation of $500
feet, except from the coolness and purity
of the atmosphere. 1t was the last of
June, but we draw on our overcoats and
fires are built in the cars. The descent
is precisely similar to the ascent, except
we see snow and pass through Devils
Gate and Echo Canon. Devils Gate is
where Weber river bursts through
gorge in the mountains, and is considered
the widest scene on the Union Pacific
road. There are but two or three tunr
nelS on this road. They are very short,
altogether not making one hundred
yards probably. The most interesting
view on the Central Pacific railroad is at
Cape Horne in the Sierra Nevadas. This
is precipice more than a thousand feet
perpendicularly. From this point the
view is splendid.
Sacramento is a thriving city Of %, 900
inhabitants-reached there on Sunday
the 4th--all the drinking saloons, billiard
and gambling halls were open. Young
men were everywhere gaming on Sun
day. There was dance and fireworks
at night. l shuddered to think of the
high handed defiance of God and His
holy laws. We had to lie over till the
next day at this point, so we strolled
through the city cemetery Sunday AFTER
noon. 1t is a beautiful burial ground
as pretty, l believe. as any have seen
in the States.
Left Sacramento for San Francisco
Monday at two and half P. NJ, on
splendid steamer, reaching this city in
seven and half hours, distance of 154
miles. l am highly pleased with San
Francisco at present but cannot
give you an opinion Of the place till the
error of the first impressions shall have
worn away, by longer and a more fa'
miliar acquaintance. may say, however,
it is fOurishing city. 1t is finer city,
l am Of opinion, than st. Louis, though
not so large. 1t is said to contain 15O, 900
to 175,OO0 people. There are many very
stately buildings here which would do
credit to any city 10 the United States.
The Mercantile Library building, which
| visited last night, is of much more ex-
pensiVe construction in its interior, ar
rangements and accommodations, than
the same institution in st. Louis and
the front too, believe, will compare IA
vorably with that of the st. Louis build
ing. 9The Library ITSELF do not think,
is as large as the st. Louis. The Museum
Of Art room in the Library building l
have not yet visited. The climate here
is delightful. Thick clothing is worn
throughout the summer. Every night
the ladies promenade the streets in their
furs. We sleep under blankets, and feel
comfortable.
The trip, including all the expenses,
cost me about 1925. | have procured
board here in private family at $25 per
month. We ecan rent an office on the best
street in the city at $25 per month.
When speak of dollars, you understand,
Of course, that coin is meant.
nv NJ n