OX AMERICAN SOIL 179 



In strange contrast to the^e just described public struc- 

 tures are others, the sight of which transports in imagina- 

 tion the newcomer to different parts of the world. Far 

 instance, that part of San Francisco which is built upon 

 props, just above the water on the edge of the bay, and 

 which, like Venice, has water avenues instead of streets. 

 with occasionally a so-called "running bridge," the struc- 

 ture of which I deem more dangerous than anything I 

 have ever seen in my life. I shall tiy to describe the 

 sight. Piles or props have been driven into the ground in 

 straight lines, about ten feet apart; the upper ends are 

 then connected with cross beams, to which in turn are 

 spiked planks, joining the opposite rows of piles or props. 

 The bridge thus constructed is just about wide enough to 

 permit two persons to pass each other, while it is fully 

 from eighty to a hundred feet long. As the gnawing 

 tooth of time loosens the piles or wears them out, the 

 passer of the bridge experiences a queer sensation when 

 the planks creak under his weight in consequence of the 

 unsteady support below. If I add to this description the 

 fact that this very bridge is located in the most thickly 

 inhabited part of town and serves as a means of daily 

 communication to thousands of people, you will undoubt- 

 edly asks: "How does that harmonize with the gigantic 

 structures at the wharves?" But anybody who bears 

 in mind that everything here in America is done for a 

 purpose will soon find the clue. The bridge is. to begin 

 with, for foot passengers only. The American would 

 consider every dollar money tin-own away were he to put, 

 for instance, a railing on either side of said bridge, as 

 he Teasons that people who desire to make use of this 

 short cut should have sense enough to look out that they 

 do not fall into the water, just as before mentioned, thai 

 they are expected to steer clear of the quickly moving 

 sand cars on Battery street, lest they be run over and 



native principality, abuse the government which protects them 

 from personal harm, be it of a religious or political nature- 

 Translator. 



