Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-08-08
TcoRRrspoNDrNoE OF THE DAILY SPY. |
SAN FRANcIsco. Jnly os

SAN Francisco, July 49, 1872.
How can the temporary sojourner in CaliGor-
ma turn homeward without general reflections
on the sights he has seen and enjoyed, the things
he has heard, and the inequalities and pleasurse
which the kindest and most genial of friends
have always had in store and offered with con-
siderate and refined regard? Impossible, unless
he chance 10 be an migrate, some unappreciat
lug, needless dolt. These are so rare that none
have crossed our path. But the scores weshave
met on their iourneyings over the state and the
entire coast, and preparing TO wend their way
homeward, have no special disappointment to
mention, only that they cannot have the joyous
days continue. Nearly all remain beyond their
allotted time, unless imperative necessity bids
them return.
After briefly glancing at the geysers, or boil.
ing springs, we will sum up, in pithy resume
the marrow of ten weeks stay, with such
comments as the facts justly warrant, as we
have seen them after painstaking and studious
observation. Nothing shall be extenuated, or
aught set down in malice" Flattery, i'll temper
or petty revenge are always out of place in
forming judgments or giving descriptions of
| people. institutions and events. There is no
better or more prominent illustration of some of
these qualities than Mr.. Summers recent letter
upon the presidents acts, character and qualf
cations. Too many tourists have written in the
same vein, and hence have given distortions in
/ stead of delineations. We have faith in the in
| stinct of the Irshman who always adopted the
''middle extreme" Hitting the white, or catch
ing the golden mean, is the most difficult of all
acts; as ignorance, passion, prejudice, envy or
blurred vision may dim the eye and
warp the tongue. Every tourist in California
| goes to the geysers, besides very many
| Californians. The journey to them is pleasant
easy and quick, the springs themselves mira
cles and mysteries. Just two years ago we
were there, but the second visit was as agreea-
bic as the first, save that the novelty was want
ing. But there they WERE the same as before.
steaming, putting, blowing, boiling, whistling,
and sending up their gassy yapors and pungent
fumes. No changed No diminution of force.
no reduction Of num5els The majestic, grand
old mountains and abysses, like canyons and
gorges, are around them, so dreamy, delightful
and cheering in this atmosphere, this ever
present joy of climate. AS an editor in south
em California said to us, in loosely excusing
some defect: "But we have lots Of climate"
Yes, you have, and to understand ii one must
90 there. Attempting TO write about il is like
photographing the honeymoon. All true artists
say of that, "try it, if You would know" So
say we of these delicious days and magnificent
nights. An appreciatiye lady at Napa was &C.
static in telling me of the evenings her family
enjoyed on the yeranda and in the gardens.
Among the Alps, the Pyrenees, the sum.
mits Of Norway and the hills of New
Hampshire, tourists are often delayed and au-
noyed, and lose the finest views by storms lOgs
and mist; but among the Sierras for nine
months in the twelve there is ceaseless sunshine
by day, and the star or moon-lit heavens
by night. They are as constant and
regular as sunrise and twilight. "Old
Probabilities" is an impertinence. be.
cause his predictions would be daily repetitions
of the preceding day. Every one knows what is
coming without him. Geyser is an Icelandic
word, meaning pushing, boiling. Hence the
lceanders called their hot springs, which send
their columns and jets of boiling water high
into the air, "Geysers." This pertinent and
poetic name has been given these springs here,
though they have less force beneath them, and
the waters are not thrown as high as at the
Iceland springs. The temperature of both is
about the same; but these springs have
greater variety of chemicals in solution, and are
far more medicinal than those Of Iceland. M.
mefous are the ingredients; among them are
EPSON salts, alum, iron, magnesia sui
phur copperas, cismabar, etc. Most of
Tue springs are on the bottom "a rod
wlde) and sides Of Devils canyon, which is a
half mile long, with banks fourteen hundred
feet high. There are others scattered in spots
within an area Of a mile square. The size of
the oriiiees vary from three inches 10 ten feet
in diameter, the witches cauldron Cthe laroes,l
being broad enough to boil an OK. Its temner.
ture is 2l2 degrees Fahrenheit and IFS turbId
waters, black as ink, boil and steam like a laroe
vat. Place eggs in some at night, and by the