Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1883-03-10
ACROSS THE CONTINENT.
COllingwood, Va

nell c. Poulsons private correspondence
with his parents, from letter dated San
Francisco, Cal:
California is certainly The Garden spot
Of America
There is continual spring aud harvest here
Continual-both meeting at one time:
For both the boughs do laughing blossoms bear
And with fresh colors deck the wanton prime,
And exc at once the heavy trees they climb
Which seem to labor under their fruits load
Everything is sunshine and verdant. 1t
seems so strange to have passed from the
snow. clad mountains and barren plains into
the golden gate Of summer and cultivation
ut single bound
San Francisco is an interesting place, with
its massive stores, elegant hotels, and mimi
table hackmen. who fairly pick you up and
place you in their coupe, and take you flying
through the city. Here literally
Various nations meet
rs III the sea. yet not confined to space
But streaming freely through the spacious streets
We visited the famous Chinatown. Of all
| the 'Aliserables' that Victor Hugo writes of
none can equal this. | was opposed to the
Chinese bill, but now I say with Pat, 'diyi
most vile place | ever SAW | was led to
e1c.aim,
What suit of grace has virtue to put on,
lfvco shall wear as good. and do as we'll
They gamble, smoke opium, eat any
thing, and have no self respect
We next inspected the notorious sand
lots. where Dennis kearney instillcd into
| the hoodlums his communistic principles.
| | cav ba uip1,- nj on tn, =, l,,I
| pulling the reins OH two fine horses. lie
was exhalted, yet not so much as when
on the Capitol steps mt Washington he dc.
fled the officers of the law
My friend Van r. is sick, and on q
ranch south of here I went down to see
him, and had very pleasant trip. We
went out to sec some of the trees we had
read about, and had come to think were
traditional fairy tales but it was true. We
saw one tree spanning the road, and the
carriage passed right through the trunk.
which had been cut for that purpose,
Hero nympes from hollow oaks rrlat,
The dark DEGREES aud will OF fate
| Some Of the superstitious really think if you
consult these silent monarchs they will tell
your destiny with all the certainty of the
Witch of EGdor.
Have been wishing you could be here to
enjoy the acres Of flowers we have seen.
Haye had fruit right oil the trees
| San Francisco never had but one snow
storm, anil that was in December, 1882.
1t lasted about one hour, and melted rs fast
| as it fell
After travelling for four days and nights
over plains and mountains, seeing small
anu llnlmportant towns, it seems as if one
had landed i'll a new world, to cross the
Bay and steam into the magnificent harbor.
to look upon innumerable steamships and
sailing vessels. The boats in which we 90
up the coast are as fine as the sound steam.
ers out of New York. People saw we will
be sea. sick getting into the mouth Of the
Columbia river. Met gentleman from
Portland, my destination, and he gave me
very encouraging account Of that region.
he said he had lived there for six wears,
and in each Of FIVE of them it rained 365
days, and in the other 36S days. So Won see
| 1t is quite damp in that section.
The Grand Palace Hotel, Of this city,
beats anything of the kind l ever saw. 1t
Is eight stories high, covers two blocks, has
bay windows surrounding it, court in the
centre. every story large balcony, the
whole lighted by electricity, and to cap the
climax, beautiful garden on top the build
ing containing the choicest flowers and
plants.
The inhabitants are just about one wear
behind the rest Of the world in style The
things that have passed out of the beau
monde east are worn here with all the grace
imaginable. Although the ladies wear dia
monds and seal skins, silks and satins these
outside indexes Of society can scarcely con.
ceal uncultured natures and tastes It strikes
me the people all over the West luck refine
ment don't know how to dress seeming to
think if they have precious stone on each
finger and in each ear they are eclut. In
performances on the boards if one girl can
kick higher than the rest, the menitcs are
muchly pleased; if one man can vulgarize
on woman's beauty more than the others,
the teminites are thrown into ectasy. Such
is tho deplorable state of society in San
francisco, under my observation. No won
der they need preacher for Mayor.
The Irish are predominant in this city.
They walk the streets and impress YOU rs
Shakespeare says, Il must have liberty with
oil, as large charter as the wind, TO blow
on whom please" and they do blow.
The Lord Mayor Of London was only a