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Show 312 PERSONAL ADVENTURES success that attended n1y first efforts had, besides, exposed 1ne to competition; and, in the keen struggle for existence that I knew must inevitably ensue arnong~t a population increasing at a ratio without parallel, I felt that I exposed myself to the chances of ruining my health in the pursuit of a chimera. Shortly before leaviug, I had numberless ap· plications for employment from persons in my line, even in the very best part of the year for 1nining ; and I knew from this and many other concurrent facts, that during the winter my trade would decrease to such an extent, that I should be obliged to support n1yself on my previous earnings. I subsequently learned that all my anticipations had been fully realized ; the tide of population that flowed into San Francisco became so enormous, that the prices of all the necessaries of life almost doubled in value· while that of labour de· ' scended in an inverse ratio. The streets were deluged with water; and those who pursued any sort of mechanical occupation, were com· pelled to work up to their knees in fetid IN CALIFORNIA. 313 pools. I-Ieavy boots, that could be previously procured for eight dollars, now rose in value to ninety-six dollars a pair; a convincing proof, not of the wealth, but of the wretchedness of the place ; it being impossible to attend to one's pursuits without these necessary articles. From the prices that I have occasionally mentioned, people may run away with the notion that they are uniformly extravagant as regards all descriptions of 1nerchandise. Such, however, is not the fact. During the latter part of my residence here, I have seen many articles sold at a trifling advance on the New York prices, and some at a complete sacrifice. The fluctuations in the value of comn1odities are so extraordinary, that I have frequently seen large fortunes made by the same articles in the . course of a month· but next summer pnces ' will no doubt become steadier, and must ulti-mately find their level. My readers are doubtless curious to know whether, in this land of almost fabulous wealth, there are any persons so unfavoured by fortune VOL. II. P • |
