The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1897-10-01
A Visit to Southern California.

Los ANGELES, Cal, sept. y
Mr. Eiitw: | am venturing to send brief
account of Tins beautiful part of the country.
thinking that 1t might interest a few who
have not yet had the good fortuue to visit
these blooming shores Arriving III Los An
geles by steamer from San Francisco some
four weeks ago, We found the change 20
marked, hat the extreme beauty Of the climate
has continually impressed itself upon us.
Day 10y day and hour, by hour | seem TO like
it better. Naturally it would appeal to me
more strongly after the change from the c Dol,
dusty, wicked city of San Francisco. The fOgs
which hang over this place until nine or ten
O'Clock in the morning, seem 10 me to have
death aud despair Imprinted upon every breath
GU take TO he transported within few hours
to all ely SUM where the atmosphere is radiant
with sunshine, and the landscapes dotted with
fragrant flowers; land vertically flowing with
milk aud honey, is indeed d source Of the
purest delight.
The people you come in contact with In
Southern California are so much more refined
and cultured in every way, that this to per
son OF aesthetic taste, lends additional en-
chantment to the place. ! his fact may be &C
counted for by the fact that emigration from
the Eastern States, as well as from England,
has been directed here, and sweet, lovely
homes have been established amid the glories
Of this Southern land. Here they have brought
their wives and children, and the happy,
peaceful uOuCS Will SuubUlUG lDuOOIb
and out, where theS can drink in the beauties
of nature at every draught OF air, awakens
within them and fosters II desire to lead those
lives which are emphatic illustrations and em
hodiments of the song the angel sang, Peace
On Earth, Good VIII To Men"
The residents in Southern California appear
TO derive much more pleasure out Of life than
those of San Francisco. There is an absence
of that wild, mad, vulgar rush for money. II
you prove yourself to he lady or gentleman,
you are valued according to your WORTH no
matter whether you have five cents or five
Hundred thousand dollars. A relued, sens-
tive nature is not offended at every turn by
some convict or scapegrace, an outcast OF the
nations, who simply because he has succeed
ed in making money, insists that he is Just
as good as you are.n
Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Riverside ard
Pasadena are i'll the centre of the very cream
Of Southern California. In this part OF the
State you wear such clothing as you would
wear iu summer in the Eastern States. The
young girls present charming picturs in their
dainty gowns aud flower crowned hats, and
even those of more mature years. have oh
served, wear hats which they Very often aloru
With some choice flowers. Flowers, flowers
you lind them at every turn. Fancy, If you
can, fuchsias and heliotropes reaching to the
second story window and rose bushes literally
covering the fronts OF the houses Callss
without being planted, and almost every
cottage, no matter bow Insignificant has
prOiusion OF flowers. The handsome planes
and the pepper trees, with their delicate
foliage aud lovely red berries I'd greatly to
the beauty Of the scenery of this country.
| he air is so soft and halmy without being
enervating) that one wants TO sit out of doors
from early morn till dewy eve" You may
have book, you may have Your work, but
there are times when these things are simply
forgotten, and you cease to do anything tut
quietly breathe the delicious air, and life, for
time at least, is but happy dream.
Fruit is 10 he had here III great abundance,
all kinds and SO very cheap, lovely water
melons for five cents, three pounds Of luscious
duscat grapes for the same price. All fruit
is sold by the pound. 1t seems strange-even
potatoes are purchased this way, too,-Lut
With all the great variety and abundance Of
fruit, it lacks the exquisite favor OF the East
err product. Much Is to he said in favor OF
This portion of the country for farming pur-
pO-es-and for The home-seeker The land
yields abUndantly and without the aid OF fer
tillZeIs, and the soil is cultivated with an
almost alb ence of labor, compared with that
which is necessary in the East. This, added
to the eveuness of the climate in winter and
summer, sssud the lack Of conVentionalities
makes 1t a garden spot. And yet even this
EN stun has its drawbacks. From May until
December there are no rains, and the country
is brown aud terribly dry, and the dust thick
and deep; but during the winter months The
country Is beautifully green and respondent
with hOwers. NJ. II. SCoTr.