300 Beyond iJn Sierras. 



and rolinement could suggest had contributed to the variety and orna- 

 mentation of the premises. 



S.mta R J3i\, with many other of the C.iUfornia towns, has pvid and is 

 still paying close attention to the tree-growths in her streets. They are 

 lined on both sides with Hne rows of eucalyptus and pepper trees, and fur- 

 nish as handsome drives as may be found in any of the outlying towns of 

 "^California. Before reaching the city, I noticed in a suburban p.isture the 

 finest Jerseys that I saw in the State. 



The banquet over, and the sights seen, we gather again to our coaches 

 and are away. Now, for the fourth time, does our journey bring us to San 

 Francisco for the night. I have not yet attempted to say anything in 

 externa about the metropolis, and will not for the present. Our st^iys, thus 

 far, in the city have been so brief as to prevent a general scrutiny of its 

 points of interest. For the present, it is better that we take a nap at the 

 Palace, or run out, at the risk of small-pox, to Chinatown, or see a play, or 

 hear a concert, or trav3rse the brilliantly lighted streets, according to our 

 several ta.stes, until the suggestions of tired limbs compel all to the quiet of 

 slumber. 



The 4th of February was a red-letter day for the Society. Not that 

 the sensation lay in the direction of horticultural refmemeats, or meretri- 

 cious exhibitions of art; but a novel experience was in waiting for us. An 

 invitation had been extended to the Society, by Hon. Wai. T. Coleman, to 

 visit him at S.ia Rafael, and to accept at his hands the compliment of a buU's- 

 head breakfast. But what is or was or might be a buU's-head breakfast, 

 anyhow? It was a conundrum to our company: and, as the event proved, 

 some grotesque suggestions were made as to how we should demean our- 

 fielves on the occasion. Of a certainty, it was a royal piece of business from 

 beginning to end. None who were participants will ever forget it— none 

 cease to smile with the rising memory of that novel and delightful feast. 



At the wharf, with the early morning, we receive our tickets. We Uike 

 the San Rafael and cross the bay. The breeze in this harbor of San Francisco 

 is exhilarating, and the waters flash out from your boat in long lines of 

 light. Mr. Coleman has provided everything conducive to our pleasure 

 and profit. On our reaching the station, the carriages are in waitini:. and 

 we are received for an excursion through the precincts of the beautiful 

 town. It is one of many, but perhaps the most delightful of the suburbs of 

 San Francisco. Everything here is villa-like; that is, outside of the busi- 

 ness parts of the little city. Nature was certainly in an aesthetic mood when 

 this valley was planned and executed. Ouf party, in their carriages, are 

 carried round and round, through exquisite drives winding between rows 

 of transplanted trees, and climbing upward by a kind of mountain road, 

 which Mr. Coleman has constructed through his estiites. I believe that the 

 premises embrace about four thous ind acres of land. Part of it is valley 

 and part mountain, and the mountains look on the sea. 



Among the many magnificent views which I had in California, I call up 



