Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-07-23
BAY BREEzEs.
TIE FRENCH FOURTH OF JULY-Ar
wooDwARD's GARDENS.
Festivities and Fireworks Blind Man
At Church with Coachmen-
Church Matters.
SAN FRAscIsco. Julv % 1850.

Church Matters.
SAN Francisco, July 20, 1880.
Looking down the street was glare OF
red, and then l heard the swish of a
rocket cleaving the air. 1t was the French
Fourth of July, and all day there had
been flags, flowers and reioicings; there
had been orations, and professions, and
cheers there had been Miss Ellen Coursen
as the Goddess of Liberty, singing the
Star-Spangled Banner; there had been
Nine. Zeiss-Dennis, very large, very
blonde, very sweet of voice, chanting
the Marseillaise Now here at Wood
wards Gardens was the close
of the festivities. Some time before
r. B. Woodward died there was rumor
that his public garden, the pride of his
heart, was to be removed beyond the city.
(" ] do not know what my heirs may do, -
said he, but never while / live !" A
great many outside San Francisco know
that these gardens are lovely place, but
it is given us alone to know how beautiful
they are by night. Last Wednesday night
crowd surged and beat against its gates
and Johnny Crapeau was abroad. Twenty
cars, blocked, stood in line, and what with
the hcrses and the voices and the music
there was confusion indeed. "A man, up
raised upon platform, sold tickets like
hot cakes to the multitude, and sheltered
behind trio of policemen to avoid
the rough jostle about me. | thought,
as | entered the gates, never before
had seen so pretty sight. Colored lights
swung in rows across the buildings, and
everywhere was Liberty, Fraternity,
Equality" and flags of France and America
lovingly side by side. Under the green of
the trees and along the terraces swung a
thousand Japanese lanterns, and from the
mast of the rotary boat to the sides there
were lines OF them swaying to and fro, as
the boat went slowly round. The walks
were
CROWDED WITH PEOPLE,
Strolling leisurely under the dark shade or
in the dim light, and murmuring to each
other in French. The fountain which plays
from pile of rocks flung its graceful spray
into the night, every crystal drop outlined
against the strong rays of the re-
fector placed behind it. The am
phitheater was one mass of pushing
and scrambling, elbowing humanity, all
resolved into an exclamation point at the
exhibition of fireworks constantly taking
place. Young men in gay uniform whizzed
by with French and swapping. eyed Susan
Nippers upon their arms, and children
were as frequent as at a pantomime
Whatever folly or vice the foreigner may
possess, he loves his children he never
shirks them, as American fathers are prone
to do, when it comes to amusements there
were the little French children patient
ly and uncomplainingly carried or led
by the hand, talked to and brought into
notice as l never fail to notice they are
among our foreign peoples always. I had
taken my Fasquelle under my elbow, but /
had no need of it to help me as to the
meaning of the bow and word of apology
which followed the inadvertent push
in the crowd. Rockets shot con-
tinually toward the heavens, and, inflated
with patriotism, burst midway with a sob
of enthusiasm into a shower of quivering,
golden tears, that fell down, down, gently
down, as if too precious to be lost at once
Upon It's path followed another, and burst
into a rain of vivid drops so bright it
seemed as though shattered rainbow had
sprung into the night sky. All the time in
the summer house the band played softly,
and near it in the half light l came upon
THE LovELIEST FACE,
That flashed upon me for an instant, and
was gone among the trees. l only remem-
Der the smile it wore, and its gypsy hat
tied under its chin-something that told of
sparkling eyes and hair falling over the
forehead Within the saloon there was a
confusion of converse and tinkle of
glasses, for every one was drinking beer,
and the floor of the pavilion was already
thronged in anticipation of the de-
lights of the coming dance. On the
verandahs outside and upon the stairways
was the restless tramp, tramp of feet and
bewildering quantities of people. The
time for the coup d'etat, the exciting mo-
ment, the mastery wind up, the final
glare approached, and little man in front
of me was politely gesticulating and in
sisting that l should accept his place and
get good view. 1t was the little old
Frenchmen whom l see always at operas,
and who always appreciates the best parts.
His small, black eyes cleaned with July
l4th in their depths, and his gray beard
bristled like guns upon the Bastile, There
was moment of hushed expectation and
then one awe stricken "Ah-h-h !" burst
from us all as the fiery frame stood out
against the dark. ''Vive la Republique it
said, "l7S9-lSS0. "Ah, yes, shouted the
little man, "Veev la Republeekp' Then the
band began the Marseillaise, and every
throat took it up softly till hum ran
through the trees, and catching the fire OF
enthusiasm myself l looked about me to
assure myself that this was really Wood
wards Gardens, America. On Sunday |
stood among very different people, in the
crowded vestibnle of a church. a blind
man made his way slowly toward the door,
making way carefully among millionaires'
coats and their wives and daughters silks.
He was the only poor man in sight; every
other was sleek. well-fed, smiling, we'll
dressed, and as each woman bowed and
chatted she seemed to pass the other in
review. 1t was an after church sociable,
an after fhe.sermon Misunderstanding, and a
comparing of notes, too, if you please, be-
gun, continued and done in ten minutes.
Then some stepped into their carriages,
and some tripped daintily down the street.
When church folks take coachmen and
horses to church on Sunday, how in their
own minds do they
GET ROUND THAT COMMANDMENT
Which says you mustn't let your servants
and cattle work One of the stanch old
Scotchmen in this very church stands by
his principles so sturdily that he won't
ride in the street cars on Sunday, but walks
way into service from ever so far. / don't
know his views on the subject Of cable
cars. This congregation in the vestibule
were saying good morning and talking
about the strange minister Rev. DIR.
Goodell of st. Louis, who is now ont here
on vacation and has consented to fill
Rev. DR.. Stones vacant pulpit for six
Sabbaths to come. The vestibule wore a
critical and raised eyebrow air, and
was on the whole well pleased. DIR.
Goodell is light of the ministry
which burns with a clear and steady
brilliancy in the West. He wears white
"weskit, and what always comes home
to me as kind expression. Halt dozen
men in San Francisco, not more, wear the
same kindly look. always feel like ex-
tending the hand of fellowship to greet the
face that bears it. His sermon was perhaps