Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-12-04
OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENCE.
Views of San Francisco Life in Homes of
Refinement and Circles of Culture
Criticisms.

Views Of San Francisco Life in Homes OF
Refinement and Circles of Culture
Criticisms.
SAN Francisco, November 30, 1880.
The ladies of Sacramento and of the in
terror towns come to San Francisco some-
times to be entertained by Kellogg or a
Nelson, but l rarely hear of one coming
here to satisfy the mental hunger and
thirst, to crafty the love of the beautiful
in art or to take taste of the sciences.
Kate Heath pictures the carnival and
like amusements describes the fashion
able dress makes your heart ache
over the sad scenes of lite, and
arouses your charitable nature by depict
ing the noble works of the ladies of San
Francisco. l do not scorn the matter of
dress How could l, as woman, when /
have Shakespeare and Emerson to uphold
me in the value to be placed upon appro-
pirate and artistic dress Neither is my
heart cold to the darker side of life but
| | remember so many of my sisters in the
interior towns who have left homes of
refinement and are now dependent upon
you for their glimpses of life in all save its
most practical aspects. 1t has seemed to
me it might gladden. their hearts, as it has
mine, to enter other homes and know there
is bright, happy side to Sen Francisco
life, and through that city to California
life. 1t is pleasant to know there are
HOMES OF REFINEMENT
And culture, filled with works of art
libraries overhowing with choice, rare old
books, with all our well-known painters.
There are circles of bright women who
meet for mental improvement to study
the deeper meanings of Shakespeare to
90 back TO the earliest periods of French
and German and drink long draughts
from the fount of modern literature La
| dies are seen going into the old church
| building, crowded with associations of the
earlier days of California life, which now
belongs to the Academy of Sciences. Fol-
| low them, and you will find them consult
ing scientist in regard to flower or insect.
Your correspondent refers to one of the
subscription concerts given under Mr..
| Homeir's leadership, but she did not give
you an idea of the intense enjoyment they
an art, and who have heard their favorite
composers interpreted as we seldom hear
them in San Francisco. While Kate was
looking for items, counting music teachers
and criticising foreign manners and dress,
she forgot to tell you of the struggle Mr..
Homer has had to offer
THIS FEAST,
Which has been appreciated by the music
ally educated, though not remunerative.
am happy to say, however, that the or
chestra and subscribers have rendered Mr..
Homer benefit, and an increased list of
subscribers warrants him in announcing
another series OF concerts. would like to
tell you more of these concerts, give you
some idea of the music selected, and more
of Mr.. Homer, who has proved his capa-
bilities as leader as well as a master.
''To wish and to be able are two things.
When we realize the power Of music upon
US in our different moods, we must feel its
influence as an educator an earnest desire
is awakened to know more of music and
musicians.
The growing fondness for everything
aesthetic is shown in the arrangement of
flowers. | have been struck with the ex.
quisite floral decorations on all state occa.
sions can never forget the scene of fairy
like beauty at recent reception. Banks
of the richest foliage plants made back
ground for the choicest exotics. Every
device that human ingenuity could suggest
was framed to charm by blending OF color
and form.
The dinner party is a great feature in
San Francisco life. There are few who
understand the bringing together OF con-
genial spirits for such occasions. | was
fortunate in being invited to meet WELL
known party from New York. l enjoyed
contrasting their habits of thought, man
ners and dress with ours. The same week
l met party of four Boston gentlemen,
with some of our
BOSTON PEOPLE.
It was feast from which carried away
many mental morsel. The Boston party
was the brightest, but perhaps, should
say the New York party was the most i'm
posing. In the dining room where the first
party was assembled | longed for photo
grapher's rest-I wanted to throw my head
back and revel in the exquisite frescoing of
the ceiling, in (which two of Kunarth's
paintings were inserted. | have been in
terested, too, in seeing how thoroughly the
ladies have been imbued with enthusiasm
during the recent political struggle. 1t
was fortunate for them the smallpox scare
followed the election. We feel MIR. Davis
defeat. We are proud of his wife, who has
grown to womanhood III San Francisco
She has appreciated the duties of the posi-
tion and thrown all the energy of her
fresh, young life into making herself
companion and helpmeet. A worthy
daughter of the still lamented Starr King,
whom she closely resembles We hcpe
Mr.. and Mrs. Davis are not lost to public
life.
l am reminded here of your charming
Washington correspondent. We cannot
give her our hand in congratulation over
the victory in our State, but we can give
her our hands and hearts in thorough ap-
probation of her letters and her attach
ment to California. She tells us just what
we want to know of life and the promi-
nent characters of Washington in such
clear, concise manner, cur busy husbands
are always willing TO read her letters aloud.
Feeling deeply the interest you have
taken In educational matters, and being in
full sympathy with you in regard to the
influence the consideration of all refining
elements must have upon mothers, and
through them upon homes and children, |
earnestly ask you to continue the work
begun. Nj.
@----szsu>s-zzzz-z=-zzczz.
THE EMPRESS OF AUSTRIA. The En-
press Elizabeth of Austria begins her days
work and amusement with a cup of cold