( ).\ AMERICAN SOIL 197 



torials are the expressions of free men, who say what is 

 uppermost in their mind, without fear of government cen- 

 sure or imprisonment. No wonder then that the press is 

 one of the pillars of this country. It fully deserves rec- 

 ognition. 



As to myself, I cannot tell you just yet what I may 

 chose to do in case my endeavors to obtain a paying posi- 

 tion in this city should not be crowned with success 

 within the next few days, though I shall very likely take 

 the next best chance to try my luck in the mines. To do 

 this will be, if nothing else, an educating experiment, and 

 without overworking one's self, one can easily make the 

 necessary expenses of daily life and in the meantime gain 

 an opportunity of making a wholesome study of the nat- 

 ural conditions of the country. There is, of course, no 

 more hope for immense riches for miners, as in days gone 

 by, when a globe trotter would accidentally stumble over 

 a lump of pure gold. Still, by industry, persevering and 

 saving, one can yet accumulate a moderate sum in a 

 longer or shorter time, as fortune may permit. I board at 

 present with Griinhagen and Olias in Boettcher's resi- 

 dence, about a (German) mile from San Francisco, in a 

 charming place, which is well named "Pleasant Valley." 

 There are several young clerks from the city, all Ger- 

 mans, rooming in the same house, so that we number a 

 round dozen at the dinner table. The walk to town is very 

 agreeable and takes but half an hour. My expenditure 

 amounts to twelve dollars a week for room and board, 

 which will prove to you that living expenses are not 

 nearly as high as in days gone by. I live well at that, 

 and, as far as eating and drinking goes, far better than 

 at home. Life in hotels and saloons, however, is very ex- 

 pensive; so are the three best theaters of this city — the 

 American Theater, the "Jenny Lind" and the Theatre 

 Francais— where tickets for seats in the loges or dress 

 circles arc three dollars apiece. Wine seems to be cheaper 

 here than in the large vineyards. For instance, a gallon 

 — abont five bottles and a half of good table wine— costs 

 but four bits or one-hall* dollar, and the best champagne 



