Biversicle and Finis. 321 



any ocean. While we were in the city one of the government iron-clads 

 came to anchor at the pier, and the heaviest ship on any sea might do the 

 same. Besides, the bay, though not of the largest dimensions, is sufficiently 

 capacious. If Los Angeles should be arrogant in her boasting, San Diego 

 may well respond by showing a map of her splendid harbor. 



The first local excursion of our company was across the bay to the Hotel 

 Del Coronado and along the beach beyond. Only a few years ago this Cor- 

 onado beach was merely a long, low plain of sand. Nothing could be less 

 promising in its natural aspect than was the desert beach. But the shrewd 

 eye of enterprise saw the possibilities of the situation ; the peninsula is al- 

 ready reclaimed; palm trees ai-e here; a park is there; flowers are bloom- 

 ing in the new-made lawns ; and yonder rises one of the finest hotels in 

 America. It is not yet completed at the time of our visit, but is sufficiently 

 advanced to receive some hundred or two of guests. The structure is of 

 wood. The building is a great quadrangle, including, within, the largest hotel 

 court between the Atlantic and the Pacific. The court is a sward crossed 

 with stone walks and having a fine fountain in the center. The most fra- 

 grant flowers and beautiful shrubs are planted here and there; and the air 

 brings to the senses of the guest the sweet perfume of early or perennial 

 blossoms. The marvels of the hotel are this magnificent court, the ample 

 theater in one part of the structure and the beautiful dining-hall, not yet 

 built. The latter will be one of the most elegant in the country. It is to be 

 a parabola in shape and finished throughout in redwood ; whether of the 

 Sequoia sempervirens or of cedar, I am not certain. The Hotel Del Coronado 

 as a whole is worthy to take equal rank with two others in California— the 

 Del Monte, of Monterey, and the Raymond, of Pasadena. These three con- 

 stitute a group by themselves ; and above them is seen only the Palace, of 

 San Francisco. 



A walk of a few minutes from the north steps of the Del Coronado 

 brings us to an ostrich farm. Why the word farm is applied to it, I hardly 

 know. It has a comparatively small area of ground, perhaps an acre. It is 

 bounded with a close fence, high enough to prevent the escape of the os- 

 triches. Of these there are thirteen, in a sort of corral, inside the inclosure. 

 Their two-pronged, grotesque feet have beaten every sign of vegetation from 

 the arena ; and they have the pleasure of sauntering about over the sand as 

 in their native desert. Some of these solemn creatures are black as to their 

 wing feathers and tail, others a kind of saffron color ; and both varied with 

 patches of white. Some parts of their bodies present only a surface of 

 wrinkled skin. The beak is rather useful than aggressive in its construc- 

 tion ; and the eye is the most strangely introspective organ that I ever saw 

 in bird or beast. It suggests to you that the possessor has been studying 

 into the mysteries of Buddhism, and expects, in due course of time, to enter 

 into Nirvana. 



A male ostrich of good development can reach over a large horse and 

 get an orange out of the stirrup on the other side. Having done so, he swal- 



