OCR Text |
Show 188 PERSONAL ADVENTURES Spaniards, and that divine service was per· fonned there still. Indeed, this locality being less exposed to the severe summer winds, anrl the land in its vicinity being richer, and comparatively level, had attracted the early set· tiers, and the Mission of Dolores as it was styled, had long been far in advance of San Francisco, previously to the invasion of the country by the Arnericans, in 1846, and con· tained, besides the church, a great many substantial adobe houses, with a population of 500 persons. Since San Francisco has shot up into repute, Dolores bas declined, and will doubtless yield completely to its rival ere many years have elapsed. Having given my impressions of San Fran· cisco, as derived from a cursory inspection of its exterior, I will now exan1ine it more in detail, reminding the reader that if he feels desirous of accompanying rne in my explora· tions, he must not be over fastidious as to the company ~1e may occasionally meet with. IN CALIFORNIA. 189 CI-IAPTER XXIV. TheW ashington Market-The Colonnade-The Gotham Saloon-The Plaza-The Miners' Bank-The Parker House-The Cafe Franc;ais-An old acquaintance-Notions respecting the mines and things in general, as they appeared at San Francisco-High price of provisions-The Gamblers of the Parker House-Some account of the game of mont6-Tricks of the game-Tapping, and barring, and bursting-The Golden Eagle-The El-Dorado-Gamesters' chances-Curious customers-J emmy TwitcherThe City Hotel-The Custom-I-Iouse-A prudent calculation- My first night in San Francisco. As I proceeded along the road leading into the principal street of the city, I was uncomfortably reminded that it would soon becoine necessary for me to select a place where I could procure refreshment; and in connexion with this necessity, arose another consideration no less important, namely, where I should lodge? There 'vas no other mode of solving the difficulty, save by an exploration of the |