Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-07-06


north and west are lofty sand hills, steep and
precipitous, producing little bat a stunted
growth of tangled, scrubby brushwood; their
only use is TO serve as barrier against the high
winds blowing in frequently from the sea. From
the bay water line westward TO the ocean is
about seven miles-a sort ofpeninsula or tongue
OF land separating bay from ocean, with indef-
mite room for extension. The streets run,
where the land permits, mostly at right angles,
usually broad and paved with wood or cobble.
The houses are of wood, excepting the larger
business blocks, which are of brick, or stone,
and iron-built in an unusually firm manner
for fear OF earthquakes-and in no instance
over four stories in height. The architecture is
elaborate and various, of every conceivable
style, indicating the cosmopolitan character OF
the inhabitants Wood is used for two reasons
"a frame house is less liable TO injury from
earthquakes, and is much cheaper. Building
stone of suitable qualities is very scarce. With
out proper and adequate protection against fire
a Chicago conflagraton would find easy head
way, and no check while any structures were
left unbumed that lay in the course of the
wind. 1t beAooyes the city fathers and insur-
ance companies to look well to the example OF
Chicago, and omit no expense to guard against
a similar destruction.
The water for domest ic purposes comes from
"Spring Valey"-over thirty miles distant-and
is conveyed in conduits, passing over some
canyons on trestle work, above hundred feet
from the ground. The conduits are large iron
pipes, made here, covered about the eighth of
an inch in thickness with asphateum, or brea,
found in southern California, and described in
previous letter The pipes are dipped in it
while heated and in a liquid state, and then
hung up TO dry and harden. This process pre-
serves them for all time from rust, and would
seem an excellent method for use anywhere. 1t
is comparatively inexpensive.
California street is the Wall, or State street
where the chief money exchanges are carried
on, and from the genial out door eli
mate the year round, large pro-
portion of the transactions are liter
ally con the street" From ten in the
morning to four in the afternoon, it is lined
with busy thrOngs of men-selling "long," and
"short" -forming rings, and corners, and going
through various manipulatons common to
spectators the world over. 1t makes little DIFF
ference where it is used, money goes through
about the same processes to carry on the deal
ings of commerce whether in this metropolis,
Lombard street, Gotham, or the Hub. Only
differing, here, that much of the decker is in
the precious metals themselves, and not using
them merely as dominoes in the game. The
merchants exchange is located on this spacious
and elegant avenue, rising to huge dome in
harmonious proportion. 1t is the handsOmest
structure in the city, and a credit to any focus
of trade.
Here are all the accomplishments of
world-exteuded ratfic-telegraphs, bulle-
tins, maps, globes, stock boards, brokers' the
leading journals of the globe in many lan-
guages; interpreters, lunch rooms, cafes, and
the numerous incidentals. A busy, important
and interesting pace-instructve, valuable and
entertaining. We notice general popularity
of physiognomy in the busy groups. There is
an ease, freedom and independence of carriage
nonchalant, cheerful, sellsatistied air; vigor
and resolution ofeXprcSsiOn, rather than intensity
OF loOk-calm, confident, sort of lion-like, ready
for any emergency, prepared to face any danger.
Evidently they are men that never Gerry baby"
and that no misfortune can put down. IL they
chance to come down, they always strike on
their feet and are ready for another Operation"
Pluck and try again are the notices, and so
they have gone the last score of years, rearing
this promising civilization in this remote and
hitherto savage country.
Great credit and much praise is their due. We
marvel at results when we look back at the days
of '49-rounding the Horn, a years passage; ;
crossing the isthmus, perilous six months
journey; crossing the plains, Il hazardous and
trying trip.
We can criticise nOw-n palatial hotels, costly
churches, the finest school buildiugs-but it is
difficult to tell wherein they conld have done
better. Only let them keep on in the same
course-changing it to meet the demands of Il
progressive century-and the time will come
when it will be an honor to count among
ancestry California pioneer" Those hardy
and daring Adventures builded better than
they knew. We meet them every hour In the
day. They tell us-we came from Massachu-
sets, from Maine, New Hampshire, New York
twenty, thirty yerrS ago; name the native town
and hamlet, and, with moistening eyes, often
speak tenderly of "gOing home" How cheer
full and cordial is their hearty greeting even to
stranger, il he be newcomer from the section
whence they came in boyhood's days, or in the
years of a robust and hopeful manhood. Many
and endearing are the messages they wish con
veyed to those that inquire for them, in what
even now, is to them "sweet home"
J.F.M.