Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-02-23
sam FRANCISCO LETTER.
A Matter Of Accent-The Geographical So
ciety = shoaling of the Bay Waters =
Prohibition Movement-Academy Of Sci
ences-social Matters.

Prohibition Academy Of Sci
ences-social Matters.
Regular Correspondence RECORD. UsloS.l
SAN Francisco, February 20. 1884.
l have been often interested in the nun.
Der of accents noticeable among the speak
ers in the enterprises of this cosmopolitan
city, and in observing what nationalities
gather around which institution. In the
silk culture the educated German element
is very prominent. Those with views to
express generally speak with pronounced
German accent, and Mrs. Hittell, who is
one of the most active and intelligent of
the members, is German woman. Last
night, at the Geographical Society, the
Eoglish element was in the ascendant.
The distinct enunciation and Pc
culiar Infections of Albion were to
be heard on all sides, and no matter how
pretty she is or how American her DIR b.
maker, an English girl is unmistakable
Thaskerays delightful Mrs. Hobson
Newcome could only say of her brother.
in.law's family, "Their ways are not as
cur ways" and that is all one can say about
English women, but it is very significant.
It was the first
MEETING OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY
That ever attended, and it seemed to diff
fer in It's methods from the meetings OF
other scientific bodies. The meeting was
held at Druid's Hall, a small. comfortable,
freshly furnished room, not larger than
large drawing. room. 1t is fitted up for the
deliberations of some Masonic Order,
and the raised platforms at each end of
the room, surmounted by red-canopied
throne. like chairs, look very imposing.
At the foot of the dais occupied by the
Chairman stood square piano, and on the
cards of invitation the words Emusic and
Conversations were to be read in the
left.hand corner. Mr.. Slavan, the Vice.
President of the Society, presided. He is
man good deal like General Mcdowell
in appearance. C. Mitchell Grant, an Eng
lishman of fine physique, but unfortunately
lame, is the Secretary and most empresse
master of ceremonies, for from the outset
the character of reception is given to the
meeting, everyone is made welcome like
guest. found q place and chatted with
moment by the officers of the society. The
business was disposed of very speedily-by
the way, it included the appointment OF a
committee to look into the alleged
sHoALING OF THE WATERS OF THE GOLDEN
And the bay. Then the lecturer of the
evening was introduced, having figured,
with the name of his subject, on the cards
of invitation. Yesterday it was E. j.
Molera, Esq, on the pyramids OF Teoti-
huacau, Mexico. The lecture over, there
was brief pause, and escorts and commits
saries went to another room and returned
with glasses of lemonade. Then little
girl played the violin-played it very nice
ly, by the way. A young girl started to
sing ballad with violin obhgato, and
then remarked to the assembled company,
without the least embarrassment, that 1t
was too high for her voice, and took chair
without finishing the song Her accom-
PIANIST played piano solo, and there was
more conversation, and SO went the social
Geographical Society. In one of these
pouring rains we have been enduring with
more or less conversation, l went to the
first faint streaks of the dawn of the Pro-
hibition party. 1t il the temperance people
political party fer the coming Presidential
campaign. DR.. r. II. Mcdonald was on
hand, tall and beaming, with shawl on,
presumably the plaid of the McDonalds,
across his shoulders. The meeting was
held in the Children's Hall, out in rather
rough part of town where DR.. Mcdonald
hollis his celebrated Sunday. schools, where
the children sing. Every one who came to
the political meeting was provided with
paper setting forth the aims and intentions
of the Prohibition Home Protection Party,
and with pink programme of temperance
songs and aphorisms. saw a session of
the Academy of Sciences the other evening
in their odd hall, which was formerly a
church, and in whose unchanged pews the
members sit and deliberate. All these
DIFFERENT PHASES AND CIRCLES OF LIFE,
Even of a email city like ours, are many
enough and odd enough to inspire trite but
unavoidable musing on the manifold occu-
pations of mems minds. A chemist who
described Colemanite," the new mineral,
borate of lime named after VIM. I. Cole
man, had hardly the first thing in common
with the people rushing to hear Emma
Abbott, and discussing her peculiarities as
earnestly as he did the proportions of lime
and boracic acid in his specimen. One
doesn't want unlimited Academy of Sci
ences any more than he wants perpetual
Milton and uninterrupted organ music,
but it is pleasant reflection that there is
a body of men really and sincerely and
actively interested in things of the intel
lect solely men to whom ephemeral pleas
ures and money getting grind are literally
nothing compared with Gods universal
book Of mai ure, in which they are rever-
emily reading little. There was a man,
I think he was reverend, ]"
who read a paper on DR.. Engelman
the other evening, who was very good
example of the balancing, refining influence
of scientific study, the life, the real life
and activity of the brain, not mere waves
of sensuous impressions. Face, eye and
voice were strengthened and Gained, and
the effect of the whole was very impress
sive.
SOCIAL MATTERS.
Ephemeral pleasures have their sway,
however. Miss Emma Abbott has been
entertained by Mrs. Judge Hsger at
luncheon, and by Mrs. Charles Crocter at
dinner. Mrs. and Miss Borland, visitors
IN tle Guy anu VI q
Boston family, have been quietly, but most
pleasantly, entertained by the Floods, Mrs.
Willie Howard and others. The gentlemen
who have enjoyed the parties given by the
Cricket Club have arranged to pay their
debt of hospitality by ball to be given on
Monday evening, the 25th, at the Palace
| Hotel 1t is to be tasteful in all its details,
and success, if experience and spirit will
make it one. Mrs. Mcdowell is at the
head of one of the kettledrums which she
usually organizes just before Lent, and
with the preparations for the Mardi-Gras
at the Pavilion, it looks as if the season
were going out in blaze of glory. A large
party that started from San Francisco on
Sunday to go overland by the Southern
route and enjoy the Mardi Gras in New
Orleans, have been caught by the storm,
and will in all probability return to the