The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1872-11-09
Written for the p. C. Adyertiser.l
Acorns from Oakland.

The live-oak is no longer the type of Oakland.
Being, as it believes, on '' the right side of the bay =
1t is building itself up at quite a different rate of
progress from the slow growth of the indigenous lex.
Although, from extended observation, quite stoical in
regard to the wonders of improvement, L have been
positively astonished at the changes wrought during
a few weeks absence from this enterprising young
city. Prominent among the rising redwood palaces
is the Big Boarding Box of your former townsman,
p. S. Wilcox, Esq. Excuse the term Dor, for truth
compels the comparison. l can find no artistic pleas
ure in a large wooden structure. When completed
according to modern design, in the similitude of some
more substantial material, the building may be en-
jOyed as a genuine castle, but during the process of
erection the box resemblance is inevitable. The
frontage Of this immense hotel occupies the entire
length of u block on 18th street. 1t is, including the
mansard root, four stories in height. 1t has towers
In the form of quadrangular, truncated cones on the
summit thereof. 1t has balconies and hay-Windows,
and is TO be furnished with all the little charming,
modern luxuries, to attract esthetic, fashionable loaf
ers-male and especially female. Scores of private
residences, large, lofty and elaborate in their finish
are arising in various parts of the city. The region,
however, between 18th street and Lake Merritt has
the natural aristocracy of site. The handsome home
of W. A. Aldrich, Esq, occupies, in important re-
spects, the choicest location in this delightful area.
1t is situated on the shore of Lake Merritt at the
termination of a fine cypress avenue extending from
18th street, an eighth of a mile distant, and forming
a magnificent vista not unworthy of English arbori-
culture l confess that my interest in Oakland is
largely enhanced-aLd L am sure your readers will
sympathiZe with the sentiment-from the fact that
among her citizens especially conspicuous for enter
prise, public spirit, wealth and taste, are found two
former residents of Honolulu, so well and favorably
remembered as Messrs. Aldrich & Wilcox. The latter's
devotion TO metropolitan matters has not, however,
destroyed his prOclivites to marine adventure. You
have, Of course, noticed his successful expedition in
quest of the whaling feet wrecked in the icy Arctic.
And sturdy opposition to railroad monopoly and o-
preSsive subsidies has given Col. Aldrich an honora-
bic record in the annals of San Francisco. and
indeed a national reputation. He was, you know,
one of the peoples" celebrated centuTu plants.
Honolulu can cite these two men as triumphant refu-
tations of the common aspersion that n heightened
residence in the topics inevitably abates human en-
ergy. Gales non Gnimum mulGnt, &C."
The relations Of Oakland TO her parent peninsular
city are quite peculiar. Interdependent in a large
degree, they have, nevertheless, their little jealcusies
and rivalries. San Francisco has kindly consented
to allow her restless children to stay oUer night in
Oakland, but seriously objects to their spending the
day there and playing along the shore with the COM
merce Of the world. And so the anxious mamma
tries to fight and brighten Stanford away from Goat
Island, and, anon, TO coax and bride his fiery steed
to make his goal on the peninsular side of the bay.
meanwhile Oakland is fOurishing-no longer like the
native live-oak, but like the exotic eucaIyptus-rap-
idly and gracefully.
BY the Haho's mails you will have been informed
Of our political situation. The sovereigns have de-
cided to reinstate the Republican Court. a full
The spirit of 1176 can now consistently shake hands
across the broad 'chasm = Of a century with the
kindred soul of 1876. The great patriotic heart of
Honolulu will rejoice with the loyal people of the
Great Republic. And, in turn, the American friends
of the staunch little Hawaiian Kingdom are awaiting
with hopeful interest the issue of your ministerial
crisis. Let us trust that through the Christian
grace of resignation salvation may be vouchsafed to
the lovely realm Of the Kamehamehas. j. A. B..
Oct. 9th. 1872.