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Show 286 PERSONAL ADVENTURES these circutnstances, I determined to return home, after remaining a while longer in San Francisco. But, as I felt unable to carry on so extensive a business as we had now got, I effected an amicable separation from my part· ner, and, having sold our tent for two hun· dred dollars, hired a srnall room, where I de· voted myself exclusively to the less laborious branches of painting ; yet still receiving more orders than I could execute. I was, however, fortunate enough to retain the services of a man who had formerly worked for Ine, and who, being a person of talent, greatly contributed to my success. Still, the life I led was wretchedly uncomfortable, and I began to feel the effects of constant exposure to the inclemency of the weather, and of the want of regular rest; for, during my whole stay in California, I had not slept more than one week on a bed. It was almost impossible to keep on one's feet, out of doors, the wind blowing fiercely and without cessation; and, having exposed myself more carelessly than usual to its influence I suffered such severe ' IN CALIFORNIA. 287 tortures from the toothache, that I was unable to proceed with my occupations, and was compelled, though reluctantly, to go to a dentist. He told me that it would be useless to try and stuff the tooth that annoyed me; so I suffered him to extract it; and paid him sixteen dollars for the operation! Finding that the sufferings I endured were incapacitating me for exertion, I endeavoured to obtain a few days' respite from my occupations, in the hope that a little change might do me good. Hiring a horse for the day, at the moderate sum of twelve dollars, I rode into the country. But · the neighbourhood of San Francisco is by no means of an attractive character, and I derived but little pleasure from these excursions. Pushing on, one day, to the Mission of Dolores, of 'vhich I had heard such glowing accounts, I was disap- • pomted to find it an insignificant Californian village, without any sort of accommodation for travellers. The only house that pretended to the character of an inn, La Cabesa del |