Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1870-08-24

Der OF small idols are placed in case.
There are great vases filled with paper
flowers. A drum, to amuse joss with, we
suppose, and large umbrella to hold over
him when he is carried in the professions.
A nod to joss and to all the little idols, and
we leave the temple.
Another morning we are on our way to
the sea beach. Leaving the Nicholson
pavement and the streets planked with
pine, we reach the ma cadamized road, and
after delightful drive of six miles we are
at the ocean. We drive along the smooth
hard beach for several miles, enjoying the
sea breeze and looking at the great waves
that roll up, then slowly recede. We lis
ten to their sad music and dream and muse,
and, like little Paul, wonder what they
say Then the Seal Rocks must be seen.
These are great rocks out in the sea which
the seals claim as their own. As the sun
becomes warm we can plainly see numbers
of them climbing up and seeking the sun
NEST spots. Others keep climbing up, and
soon there is room for no more. Then a
fight ensues pitching and scrambling
for places then splash. and some weak
one is thrown into the water, and off they
fighting, splashing, and believing, sealdom
presents lively scene. Through it all one
old seal retains his place, paying no at
tention to the strife about him, only to let
his voice be heard now and then. This
one, we are told, is Ben Butler. He always
comes up first, and if the weather is favor
able calls the others up. The sentinel
stands on the highest point, ready to give
the alarm in case there should any need
of it. The Seal Rocks are protected by
law. But our time is limited, so with a
farewell look at the sea, we turn sadly away
and soon are in the city again.
To those who are fond of visiting old
churches The Mission Dolores is very
inviting. 1t is situated in the southeast
ern part of the city, and was built by the
Spanish in 177S. The walls are adobe, but
have been built over with brick. The roof
is tiled Over the door are three bells,
now silent, which almost a hundred years
ago summoned the few people to service.
Within nothing has been changed except
the seats, which have been replaced by new
ones. The ceiling and walls are roughly
painted in gaudy colors. There are few
pictures in their cheap frames hanging
around. There are several marble slabs
along the sides of the room, each bearing
the name and the date of the birth and
death of a priest. The little confession
boxes look very plain in comparison with
those of our modern cathedrals. From the
old musty church, which seems almost like
tomb to us, we pass into the graveyard
Here many who were wont to meet in the
old church now sleep. They who have
listened so eagerly in the days long passed
to hear the bells chime now are waiting for
the last great call. Some of the stones
have fallen down. On the other side OF
the church is the monastery. The Catho-
lies own a great deal of property IN the
city, all of 1t very valuable.
The city is by no means level; many
of the streets are laid out on the sides OF
the hills. If you are anaccustomed to up
and-down-hill walking you will think this is
tiresome but you are soon used TO IT, and
enjoy climbing up the hill. The air is Sc
| fresh and pure and the view SO grand on
the hill-tops. On a clear morning you can
look over the lower part of the city, beyond
the life and hustle, out upon the bay, and
see the ships sailing out and in, and even
see the land across the bay. These rising
streets are built up mostly with private
residences. Many of the dwelling-houses
are frame, as these are considered safer In
| time of earthquake. There is an air of
10y ~.a oonsf,N-t about these hoEtses that
makes them worthy the name of home.
They are built handsomely, and In every
yard we see flowers and trees. Here, where
trees are fully grown in three years, where
/ flowers bloom through summer aud win
ter, it is an easy matter to make home
seem attractive. We in the East will nurse
and tend a pot of heliotrope or geranium
all winter, and feel amply repaid if a few
blossoms appear; but here we sit in our
room in the second story, and the hello
trope and geranium, not in pots but planted
in the yard, are climbing far above our
windows. All through the winter these
and the roses and other flowers grow and
bloom in the open air.
One evening we were more sensibly than
/ ever before impressed with the beauty and
variety of the fruit here. A dish was
placed on the table which was the most
/ beautiful one we have ever seen. Plums
the size of a small apple, of almost every
color, great luscious pears and peaches,
and magnificent lunches ofgrapes hanging
gracefully from the top. Green leaves were
/ placed here and there as relief to the brill
+ liant colors of the different fruits. Clusters
of grapes hung from the sides of the dish;
the base was formed of leaves aud fruits
We cannot describe it so as to give an idea
of its beauty; to know and feel the full
| beauty one must see. No one can arrange
fruit or flowers as the California lady can,
/ We, filled with wonder, asked the price.
and found that the dish with four beautiful
melons did not cost quite two dollars. A
lady at home would have given twenty dol
lars for such dish with which to grace
her table on some special occasion.
San Francisco does not present that new
appearance one would 10 ok for in city
but twenty years old 1t is closely bull
up. Many of the streets are paved witt
Nicholson pavement. and the street carr
running in every direction. In the new
parts of the city we see great sand hills
these are being removed and the sand taker
to fill in the bay. Formerly the bay ex-
tended to Montgomery-stre but now sew
eral streets lie between, of made ground,
an it is called; aud yet there are many lot,
marked off which are to be filed in. Thi
made ground is much feared in an earth
quake, as the shock is more severe there
As soon as the sand has been removed 81
as to make lot level, it is covered with
clay to keep the loose sand from drifting
over it again.
Then there is the dry dock. cut from
solid rock 1t is four hundred and twenty
feet long, and can receive the largest yes.
sci. The gates are opened to receive the
water, then the ships sail in and the gates