The San Francisco call., 1897-09-26

they happen to be right here with us they
are systematically ignored; our people
pore over Browning, Ibsen and Hall Caine,
and then bewail the fact that there are no
makers OF literature in California. The
poet, more than any one else, knows that
ne must work for works sake, and that
the immediate appreciation OF Few
friends is all that he may expect. were
we TO treat our singers better Il might De
better in the long run for ourselves we
should at least be spared the shame OF
knowing that n good writer has peen
forced into a madhouse because her heart
was hungry for few words OF apprecla-
tion.
Now that the health officers nave
turned their attention TO Chinatown, the
most interesting feature of San Francisco
is undoubtedly doomed. From sanl-
tary point of view the Chinese quar-
ter may not be commendable, but TO lne
artist and the dreamer there is not IN all
the country spot so artistic ana un-
modern. He who has grown weary OF the
monotonous routine OF the counting
house, of the lingering of dollars that are
crime-stained and heavy with countless
sorrows, of all the petty annoyances that
make our overcivilized life so unbearable,
has only to walk few blocks from the
business quarter and he will find himself
in the midst of life so different, so
picturesquely and suggestivey strange,
that his WEAKNESS will be charmed from
him. He will become one of the un-
fathomahle creatures that pass before
him even as the shades must have passed
before the eyes of the belaureled Mantuan.
Men on whose passloniess faces neither
sorrow nor Joy have left their penclllngs
and women in whose soft eyes one sees no
clew 10 terrible secrets move to and tro
without haste. In the top stories OF ram
shackle buildings he will hear the music
of shrill flutes, accom- panied by monot-
onous drums; and as he listens 10 the bar
baric cadence the savage that Is In each
one of us will assert itself and he will
yearn for a freedom that has not been
ours for centuries. Chinatown does not
affect every one that way; but then so
many people live for the hour and have
no thought of the one to coma and the
many that are past. They will rejoice at
the invasion of Chinatown by the health
officers. Others will execrate them.
A suggestion has been made that to
further cement the good fellowship exist
ing between the two countries America
should return to Great Britain all relics OF
the unpleasantnes that ended so dis
astrously for the latter. These relics con-
sist of few moth-eaten flags and wooden
lion, now in Annapolis. A wooden lion
would be most appropriate gift to present
to her Britannia Majesty at present, and
only good Americans would appreciate
the deadly satire accom- panying
thoroughly harmless action.
1t is the winter of the year 1887 The
courtroom is crowded. An old man sits
in the dock. His head is EXCEPTIONALLY
bald; his teeth are gone. He chuckles
quietly as Que assured of three square
meals day and bed at night.
The Judge is hidden behind volumes of
testimony and evidence. He yawns con-
tinuously as he listens TO the lawyers
arguing excitedly before him.
What do you know about this case any
way ?" demands the attorney Tor the pros
ecution of his opponent.
Just as much as you do, retorts coun-
sci for the defense.
The Judge attempts to bring them to
order, but they pay little heed to him.
"Who is the accused?" whispers a lady
in the audience to the policeman beside
her.