The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-15
CHARMS OF CALIFORNIA.
Life i'll its Oldest City Pleasantly Described
by a Fair Carolinian.
[ From the Idgetield Chronicle. J

Dear Mr.. Bacon: This lovely Februa-
~ morning, with 4 sun beaning in
golden spendor in Il cloudless sky, and
an air having the tempered coolness
and delicious SOftness Of an Eastern
April or May, take pleasure in giving
you some idea of this charming place.
San Diego is situated on 4 beautiful and
magnificent site, San Diego Bay at its
feet Stretching far out into the Pacific
is an immense promontory called Point
Lorna; and On it, is lighthouse to
guide and direct those at sea, from
which you have Il picturesque view OF
the whole surrounding country. The
mountains towering up in the distance,
with their snow clad peaks, add much
to the grandeur and beauty Of the
scene. San Diego has about 80, 900 in
habitants. The squares are smaller
than in most cities; and the streets,
those running north and south, are
marked with numerals; east and west
with letters. Consequently it is of easy
traverse; no danger of a wayfaring man
Though Il fool'' erring therein. The
streets are shaded by pepper trees
which are lovely, with their dropping
b0ughs and scarlet berries; it is similar
to our willow, but has fern like leaves.
The berries taste and burn like pepper.
Oh, the gardens how often have
wished for you, knowing your fondness
for flowers. Gcraniums growing like
trees, 6 to 8 feet high, filled with pro-
fusion of blooms; and immense callas;
you can see the latter every where.
Then the loveliest roses I ever gaZed
upon. The air is literally laden with
the perfume Of violets, heliotrope, and
sweet alyssum, greatly admire the
majestic Palms and century plants, as
they are more novel to me. You con-
stantly pass gardens growing oranges,
olives, citron, lemon, and bananas. [
could not resist the temptation of eating
an orange right from the tree; so pass
ing bya garden, made known my de-
sire, telling them l was Il stranger out
of the East. They not only gave me a
choice one, but allowed me to pluck it
with my own fingers. The inferior Or
angcs sell for a cent apiece, but the
seedless and sweetest retail for ten cents |
apiece; so as far as price is concerned,
there is not much advantage in being |
in an orange country. All kinds of
nuts too are raised here; English wal
nuts, pecan, hazel, almonds, &c. They |
look like they have been polished-so
smooth and shiny.
There are many handsome residences
and buildings. The Court House is an
imposing building in the midst Of a
garden of palms, spruce, pines, century |
plants, and flowers Of every kind here.
| ntrast this with our bare and bleak
looking grounds around our "Temple |
Of Justice,' and wonder why we do not
beautify our public grounds and build
ings more.
There are half dozen or more papers
published here. BY the way, the editor
Of the Evening San Diegan is Mr. Ed.
Bacon; he must be related to you. AS
to churches all sects and denomina-
tions are represented; and all are build
ing new churches; which shows how |
rapidly the town is growing. I am eX-
trcmely surprised to find so few Roman
Catholics. They have Il small church,
and poor congregation, composed most
ly Of Mexicans. The "Sisters" have a
large school. Just to think the Metho-
dist Church South land did not know
the word South meant so much until |
came here is the only Southern Church
III the city. Consequently if you come
here, you will have to join us, as the
Episcopal, Baptist and Presbyterian
are all under Northern control, and YOU
are liable to have tour brother in
black' occupy the pulpit at any time,
The Northern Methodist is the largest
and wcalthicst denomination here.
TO give YOU some idea how real es-
tate has advance in San Diego, | will
cite our church property. We gave two
thousand dollars for it a few years ago,
and it is now Oh the market for sixty
thousand. Rent is very high, and near
ly every one, no matter how wealthy,
has rooms to let out, at thirty dollars
per month for Il single room. Servant
hire is high. Nearly Ill people here do
their own house work. We pay
nine dollars per month for washing.
Everything else, however, is as cheap
as in Augusta, such as dry goods and
groceries; and YOU can get nice meal
at any restaurant for twenty-five cents.
Coal is high, and they mix a wood
with it called Manchinita. wish you
could see it! Well, the nearest can de
ry roots we have scrubbed out Ola "new
ground" and sells Tor only fifteen dol
Ears per cord. One of Mr.. Hodges mem
bcrs sent him load from his ranch as
q great luXry for us. have often wished
for some Of your rich light-wood. The
water is very good--bpught from San
Diego river, We drink also mineral
wateg, which is mile from the city;it
is very pleasant; and when you unstop
it, it pops like 'ampagne. This on
pasSant, makes me think of the delight
full wine we have here. You can get
Port ana Sherry that are eight years
old for l-2 dollars per gallon.
The city is full Of John Chinaman."
They do all the drudgcrv, but still keep
up most of their home customs. They