The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-10-08

some OF the prlnclpal business SCreeGS, run.
ming parallel with each other, and nearly
north and south, intersected by streets at
right angles which run from the bay on the
east to the summit of an irregular coast
range of hills, which shut of an Immediate
view of the ocean from the city. Montgom-
cry street, the fourth regular business street
back from the bay, is the g." Broadway" and
California street the "Wall street" of San
Francisco.
The business houses are generally spa
cious, substantial, and convenient, and
many of them massive and elegant in archi.
tectual design, and of beautiful interior
finish.
The hotels deserve special approving
notice-indeed, | have not seen in Europe
or America better hotels than those which
rank as first-class in San Francisco; and OF
these | would mention, for the benefit of
Grand Lick, and Cosmopolitan. The style
of church editices is, in the main, highly
creditable to the city, and in good keeping
with their design.
Owing to the visitation Of earthquakes
(Some Of them pretty severe), the custom of
: building very high walls is falling into dis.
use: and, in place Of brick and stone,
wood is now very commonly used in first
class private residences, rs also in some
costly and beautiful churches. ...
We were much pleased to see how, by
! the taste and skill of architects, edifices OF
| wood, and very cheap, were made to appear
substantial and beautiful.
Bay windows, commanding view from
parlors and chambers up and down the
streets, are quite decided feature of the
private houses, as well us hotels, in San
Francisco. The little plats Of ground III
front, and the yards and gardens around
the residences, seemed to vie with each
other in the proflision, variety, and beauty
Of shrubs and flowers, some Of which are
rare and Of difficult cultivation in our sec.
tEon Of country. The most beautiful frl.
>hias grow and bloom luXuriantly out of
doors-the plant growing into shrub, tall
and strong. Geraniums bloom abundantly
OH the frncc-rowS: masses of hellotrope
and other varieties of flowers abound in
these carcfully-watcred and dressed city
yards and gardens, with vigorous and com.
, pact ever2TCens. s-..-
The markets are abundantly supplied
with the common meats and vegetables oi
excellent quality. There seemed to be nc
end to the supply OF fruits-apricots Qhe
largest and finest we had ever seen), plums,
| nectarines, pears, and peaches, large, beau.
titul, and delicious, whilst the grapes were
magnificent. had heard how the rivers OF
California were stocked with salmon, but
was not prepared to see them brought daily
to the markets and distributed about the
city by the ton. Their color is deep and
rich, but the flavor docs not equal in dell'
cacy that of the same tish taken in the wa
ters OF scotland and ireland, or of the Ken.
nebeck and Penobscot, in Maine.
The population Of San Francisco is said
| to he about 100000. The present city ha:
grown to be what it is in about twenty-one
| years. Mining, although greatly changed
| from what it was, when crowds rushed tc
California by sea and by land In 1S49, is yet
| and will coutin,ie to be q vast interest, en-
| ploying n large amount OF capital and o.
| labor.
Ores and assayed metals gold and silver,
| in large and small bars, or "bricks,'' are
exhibited in the windows. The floors O
| banking houses are sometimes well'nlgh
| covered with these "bricks," waiting fol
shipment or for the mint. l saw four
| horse drays loading with these blocks oi
! precious metals, each weighing from 20 to
30 pounds. The currency of the city Ii
gold, with silver for small change. Men art
seen constantly carrying bags of gold OF
| the streets. often OH their shoulders.
The Golden Gate" 4 narrow strait, ont
mile in width and thirty feet deep, sweep
| ing around the northern point Of the PENN
Sula, connects the bay and harbor with the
Pacific. Fort Point (at the extremity Of tht
peninsula), Black Point, Alcabraz and AN
gel Islands, with their batteries, guard the
entrance to the harbor. The view Of tht
| Gate and the ocean, as you pass from thi
bay Of San Francisco into Sanpablo Bay il
steamers running to Stockton, Sacramento
San Rafael, Vallejo, and suisun City, i
grandly beautiful. The streetcar service
1 -, Son TTrop,oicco onyoripp 1oparfv thp an
tire city, despite the sharp grades of seVera
of the routes from east to west, is admirabl,
conducted and the system Of taking fare
is the simplest for the passengers and th'
safest for the proprietors thatl have seen
! The counters of the paying tellers in The
! banks, instead of being covered with pape
promises, ut discount, are furnished will
piles Of gold coin-most Of it bright iron
| the mint. .....-
The climate of San Francisco was to mt
the most agreeable of any city that eve
visited in the midst Of summer. Not droI
| of rain had fallen for more than montl
before we arrived there, and not drop fel
during the two months OF our stay. From
every part of the country the telegram
told of excessive heat; but every day abou
the sea, rendering lively exercise out Q
| doors pleasant, with thick clothing.
After sundown light overcoat was oftei
| desirable, and the temperature at night wa
| admirably adapted torcfreshing sleep. Bacl
from the coast, where these trade winds dit
not reach-as in the Sacramento and SaI
joaquin (San Wakecn) valleyS-the hea
was severe, mercury being reported ut from
100 to 10 degrees.
Among the notable places Of resort i
the Cliff House, with the famous "Sea
Rocks'' in full view, six miles west OF tht
city, and directly OIL the shore Of the opel
ocean. The drive is splendid one, over!
beautiful roadway, kept sprinkled, wher
of IN afternoon, and especially ON Satur
days, streams Of people, in vehicles OF ever.
description, from the most costly and show,
TO the mosthumble, are pouring to the CHI
House to get breath OF ocean air, and Z
watch the seals, or $ sea lions" The roa.
leads to the brink Of an abrupt cliff, OF
which is situated a hotel, with broad We
randuh overhanging the sea. In distine
view. from one to two hundred yards dis
tant from the yerandah, group Of steel
and ragged rocks rises abruptly from tn
sea, which at this point is always more Q
less turbulent. These are the famous Sea
Rocks, and their sole tenants are the seals
or essea iions,V which bask in the sunshin
on their hedges, and the sea birds, Whicl
light In 1ocks upon tho peaks. -
The seals are protected by law iron
slaughter and interference, and aa . conse
quence they occupy these rocks Withou
fear, and may be counted by scores and hun
drasia fChay orfa constantly aWlmIpltf