The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-07-04

fcorsspoadence Of the Rlchmond DisDasch.l

have given you my impression about
other places in California, but do not re-
member having said much II anything
about the ssGolden City, and "Queen OF
the Pacific Coast.v As you know, IL Is sit
uatcd on strip OF land few miles wide at
this point, between the bay and the ocean,
and ali It's approaches from the north and
east are BY ferries across the bay, OF which
there is daite number. The bay Is well
laud-locEcd, and looks as II the nayies Of
the world might ride safely at anchor upon
~ bosom. The "Golden Gate" or sea-
entrance TO the bay, Is not more than half
mile wide, and Is guarded by two forts,
with n,any big guns that seem capable OF
sinking any hostile feet that might attempt
an entrance. The mental picture which
had formed Of San Francisco before seeing
il gave II nearly level location, with q
gradual slope towards the Pacific shore;
but really II Is the reverse OF that. The
level portion OF the city Ia not so large as
supposed, and westward Is succession OF
hills rising one above the other.for full half
the distance between the bay and the ocean,
and then follow "lumes" and plains OF
purest sand, except where paintings OF
trees and shrubbery have been made. Some
OF the "lumes" or sand-hills are destitute
OF the least particle OF vegetation and look
as clean and nice as the most thoroughly.
prepared tillaged land and the riplets OF sand
made by the wind give the surface an ap-
pcarance much resembling the marks OF
harrow. An extensive park has been laid
out among these sand-hils, some parts OF
which are nowKery beautiful; and as con-
slant efforts are being made to clothe the
remainder In "liying green" In few years
San Francisco will have rival OF New
York's Central Park. One OF the fashion,
able drives Is by way OF Fort Point, near the
Golden Gate" thence by the "Clifs,"
and return through the Park. The roads
on this drive have been made smooth and
firm, and are just splendid; but II the
trade-winds are moving landward from OFF
the face OF the Pacific waters your eyes,
your nose, and your mouth will be well
supplied with dust and your very bones
will be chilled. These trade-winds set in
every afternoon, and TO me--when taken
unauthorized by the hot air of the valleys
are horrible. People here, who are accus-
toned to them, don't seem to mind them,
and say they are healthy; but rheumatics
and weak-lunged people had better avoid
them. The mornings here are delightful,
: and so are the nights within doors. You
are comfortable Of mornings, and at any
time during the day ii you keep out Of the
wind with Just such warm clothing as
Virginians usually wear in winter, and
at night you can sleep comfortably
under a pair Of blankets. Neither
flies nor any other insects are troublesome.
1t Is stated that the variation OF tempera-
ture in the city rarely exceeds fifteen de-
grees. Across the bay and far enough In
the valleys for modification OF the "trade-
winds" il Is TO me much more pleasant,
and, / think, more healthy. The city is
irregularly laid off, but Is well built up,
and has some houses that are exceptionally
fine. On California street there is hill
called "Nob HILL" on which the resi-
dences Of the "millionaires" are mostly !
built, and must say the outside appear |
ance Of them and their surroundings Is |
very fine. hope the remark made OF the |
owner Of one OF them by distinguished |
gentleman is not applicable to the owners |
Of all these princely halls, even though |
their millions did come by one rubbing OF |
" Aladdin's lamp" lie said that Mr.. - |
had spent two millions in building house |
and then did not know how to live in it.
There are number of fine and large ho- |
tells, such as the Click" the "Grand,"
the " Occidental" &C.; but the "Palace |
Hotel" Is so large and fine that am al |
most afraid to speak Of it for fear OF hay
ing my veracity doubted. 1t occupies an
entire block, is eight stories high, and i
am afraid to say how many OF Richmond's |
first-class hotels could be hid away inside |
OF it and still leave room for more. There |
are many fine shops and a goodly number |
OF public buildings, including the churches,
that are fine edifices. There are more eat |
ing-houses and drinking-saloons than in
any other city ! know Of, and all OF them
l. t,,IaoA ctnras
are kept open on that day, and the theatres
and other places Of amusement get up their
best shows for Sunday evenings. l have
not been to any Of the theatres, but was
much interested at Woodward's Gar
dens," where you may see all of an
mated, and great deal that is not
animated, nature that you ever heard OF
or read OF, and good deal besides; all for
a quarter-cheap and good is Woodwards
sbow-garden. In what might be termed
almost In the heart Of the city is " China
town." Forty thousand Chinese, with all
the customs and habits OF their native
land, and I am told that Canton or Pekin
don't look any more China-like than does
that portion OF San Francisco. They have
their various shops for trade and manufac-
turc, their GLOSS "-house, and their thea
tire. l have not gone to their "Joss"-
house, because don't agree with them in
irving TO get into the good graces Of his
Satanic majesty, and l have not gone to
their theatre beca, one.o. their plays lasts
three years, and want to be beck IL "Old
Virginny" long time before the "last
act" One Of the many interesting sights
in this vicinity Is TO be seen on the
coast at place called the Cliffs. At
the distance Of few hundred yards
from the shora two large rocks ~ nvra-
midal form, aud about as large as a
meetin'-house, rise up above the water
70 O height, l suppose, OF fifty feet, and af-
f'rd sinining-place for innumerable seals.
They are Of various slzes-some very
large. Visitors TO the .'Cliffs " have given
names TO several OF the largest seals,
;,n1 among them is one old fellow who has
score peculiar habits, whom they have
named "Ben. Butler" They are very
playful, and crawl and tumble about in
way that seems gratifying to themselves,
and occasionally one win climb to the high
est pinnacle OF the rock, and by swaying
his head about has the appearance at least
OF addressing his "fellow-citizens."
They have several lines OF street rail-
roads here, where the cars are pro-
PEELED by revolving cable, which runs
In the centre Of the track and beneath
the surface. This cable Is kept constantly
moving by stationary steam-power, and the
manager OF the ear has continuance for
instantly fastening to or letting-go Of the
rapidly-reyolylng cable, thus enabling him
to move on or stop at viii. 1t is an admi-
rable arrangement for climbing hills too
steep for horses, and should think could
be adopted by your city with much profit.
This city Is inhabited by people from all
s~<c - h. I'D. n