Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1892-03-30
The public schools are taking the
spring vacation.
A Visit to the Lick Observatory.

San FRANCISCO, March l6, 1892.
Editor Republjca1G-In closing my last
letter | think | mentioned that we
were to 90 to san Jose the next day,
which Ne did. cannot refrain from
writing you again TO tell you more ofthis
delightful country. We took the morn
ing train March 9TH, for San Jose, the
Garden City, as it is called. The day
was as warm as it is in WISCONSIN the
last OF June. As we left the city we
passed into the foothills, where we saw
acres OF all kinds Of vegetables, which
are raised and brought to the market
all the year round. We arrived at San
Mateo at 8 o clock, lovely little vii
lage, spending the day there with my
old friend Mrs. Hayward. | cannot
find words to express to you the
grandeur of her home. In the first
place they have 500 acres Of land under
cultivation, with mile race course for
training their horses, q little lake
where they raise black swans and
deer park with some twenty or thirty
deer. The grounds are laid out in walks
and driyes.a and ornameuted with trees,
plants and shrubs from almost every
cline. 4 large fountain is situated IN
front OF the house which throws sprays
Of water high up ia the air. The resi-
dence cost 5000, 900, and the furniture
throughout the whole house surpasseS
III elegance anything | ever saw. Mr..
Hayward is considered to be worth
about 81 900 600 Land cannot be
bought IN this vicinity for less than two
or three handred dollars per acre, We
reached San Jose at 6 p. NJ. and stopped
at the st. James hotel Here we are
Impressed with the beauties Of the
Garden City, where nature has lavishGd
her gifts in great profusion. While
here we met several old friends, among
them DIR. Burk, formerly of Water
town, who is one OF the leading physi-
clans IN the city. He showed us great
deal of courtesy and in many ways
added TO the pleasure Of our visit there.
In the mornlng the stage with four fine
horses was at the door, ready to take
us for d trip to Mount Hamilton and
the Lick observatory We went with
party Of twelve, and as we left the
city, picturesque houses, lovely gar
dens and prolific orchards presented
themselves to our view on ali sides for
about four miles. Then We took the
famous Lick avenue road and began
the ascent to our destination. This
road was built by the County Of Santa
Clara at the great expense Of 100000,
and is beyond doubt the finest noun
tain road in the world. We speed
along the road and each turn discloscs
some new and charming picture, UNI
surpassed by sny mountain scenery.
Attractions present themselves on
every hand Now steep hillsides and.
again deep eorges, We ascend and de
scend one range of mountains afterau-
other until we reach Smiths Creek
hotel, where we stop for dinner and
change OF hGses. The remainder Of
our journey TO the summit Of Mount
Hamilton AMI the Observatory is seven
miles distan, and takes two hours to
ascend owing to the steepness of the
grade and tie numerous turns Of the
road which are 367 by actual count.
The height If Mount Hamilton is ,480
feet above tie level of the sea. Atthis
height one can see over the greatest
eXpanse of the ealth's area that is visi-
bic from any known point on its sur
face. Such i q fitting site for the kJng
Of telescopes the wonder of the world.
James Lick ! beqaest was 500, 900 for
the estabiisbnent Of this astronomical
observatory. will not attempt TO give
a desert ptionof the observatory. One
must view it with their own eyes TO
fully appreciate it. I have pictures
with me Illustrating some Of it's points
OF interest, which | will be pleased to
show my frieids when I return.
Eliza COLE.