Los Angeles daily herald., 1873-12-14
yus Angeles Aerald.
Letter From San Francisco.
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 8.

ncaFIn, I'LL the WlnuOWS ana doors ci0-
sed and pipe between my lips, I can
bid defiance to the elements, and
gather my wits together, thankful
that my lines have fallen in pleasant
places, and that am not compelled to
go out upon the streets such miserable
weather as this. During the past week
we have had horrible time, that IL to
say, horrible 80 far as the amount Of
discomfort we have had to endure, is
concerned. We have been favored
with almost continual storm of hail
and rain with bitter cold weather.
The wet season opened with a verita-
BILE snow storm, al event beyond the
recollection of even that NEUROLOGICAL
individual the Oldest inhabitant. In
the suburbs the hills were covered with
snow. The effect was proportionably
charming, but in the city, about Mont
gOmery and California streets, the ef-
feet was far from pleasing, and the
comfort was about the same. Mud
and slush reign triumphant, our streets
are in dreadful condition, and whilst
we are all glad to see the rain, never
theless we all wish it was we'll over.
A MONSTER HOTEL.
San Francisco is fast attaining pre-
eminence as the focus of travel. Peo-
pie who have resided here for years
and are intimately acquainted with
the varied phases of California life
have scarcely awakened to the value
Of the attractions that'impel Pilgrim
age hither. We have already secured
a liberal share of the travel of those
from the east, west and north, who
are compelled to seek balmier climes
to spend the winter months. Kindly
forget about the snow storm mention
ed in the previous paragraph, as this
was a very exceptional case). During
the past year the hotel interests Of the
city, have increased at wonderful
rate, the buildings erected have ex-
ceeded in size almost anything before
conceived in this line in America, but
these have been found wholly INSULT
cient to meet the demand for accommO-
dation. The Grand, the Lick, the Oc-
cidental and the Cosmopolitan have
been found quite inadequate to meet
the requirements of the travelling pub
lie, and now comes to the front two of
our wealthiest capitalists, Sharon and
Ralston, who propose building the
largest hotel in the world. The new
hotel willOccupy space Of 81, 200 feet.
The cost Is estimated at S82O,0OO, and
the site is one Of the greatest public
ity, viz, that lot of land bounded by
New Montgomery, S44 feet, Market,
275 feet, Annie, 3O4 feet and Jessie 225
feet. TO give you the particulars Of
the building would occupy too much
space, but | may mention that the
dining room will be 165 feet in length
and IS feet in width, the breakfast room
will be 40 feet in length and SIS feet in
width. The edifice will be six stories
high, and capable of furnishing ac-
commodation to 1900 guests. There
Wilde no rooms that are not lighted
directly from the open air, and each
suit Of rooms and some OF the single
rooms will have bath tubs and every
other requisite for the comfort of the
visitors. This monster hotel will un-
doubtedly take some time to erect, but
with the mine of money at the back OF
the men who have taken the matter In
hand, delay must not be, looked for.
The work of clearing the ground has
already commenced, and the adver-
tisements for tenders for the fOunda-
ton have already appeared.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. 81
The glorious muddle in our Fire De-
partment, referred to in my last, still
continues. The old Board still hold
possession and although we have two
elected chiefs yet they both have so
far shown their common sense as not
to allow the party squabbles to inter-
fere with the working of the depart
ment. The new chief (Scannell has
consented not to act until the whole
affair has been settled in the courts.
In the meantime the old Board refuse
to hand over the archives The new
Board hold meetings all over the town,
brag and boast a good deal, usual y
winding up by the forms and ceremon-
les of eecting their men over again.
From beginning to end it Is simply dis
graceful, and the sooner it ia stopped
the better. Both the chiefs are good
men none will deny, but with city
like this, mostly built Of wood, with
u supply OF water very inefficient, it
does seem q pity that our only prOtec-
tion in case of fire should have its eff
ficiency destroyed by the cabals of
,,oI;t;o;oo, I vxyf, ;~L nsso~;, Az r;obt ~
would be vain to say, and even when
you have heard both sides of the ques-
tion it Is difficult to decide.
o9afAwFULLY HARD UP. Z -
Last Saturday afternoon seedy-
looking individual entered one Of the
many pawnbroker shops on Kearny
street; after waiting for his turn fol
some timer he at last faced "mine
uncle.u Pawnbrokers as q rule are
proof against surprises, but on this oc-
casiOn old scent per cents was cOnsid-
erably taken aback when his custom.
er placed his fingers to his mouth and
drew ,olit set of false teeth, asking In
plaintive tones somewhat unintellig.
able from the loss Of his grinders) hoy
much could be borrowed on his offer.
ing. One dollar and . hall was all he
could get, which, much to his disgust
he was compelled to take, remarkine
that less than week ago he had paie
no less than twenty-five dollars FOL
that which was now priced so very
low. Necessity, however, knows nc
laws, and he pocketed his coin ant
left the shop, vainly endeavoring tt
keep stiff lower lip. ,s.nj
THE LOST FOUND.
Oakland, for some weeks past, has