298 EAST PRUSSIA TO THE GOLDEN GATE 



Will ray trip be a successful one? Nous le verrons. We 

 shall see. 



Nine o'clock saw me on board of the little steamer 

 "Guadaloupe," which took in passengers and freight at 

 Long wharf. They charged me six dollars for this trip. 

 With the exception of a slight collision with a whaling- 

 vessel, our voyage was delightful, as the coast offers a 

 variety of scenery, which seems unequalled elsewhere. 

 The mountains reach a, height of about four thousand 

 feet and are plentifully covered with fir trees of various 

 kinds. We reached Alviso about three o'clock and soon 

 arrived at San Jose, where old sycamore trees and wil- 

 lows are plentiful. On my arrival I am informed that the 

 vacancy which I expect to fill is in the town of Santa 

 Cruz, whither I shall proceed on January the second. As 

 I do not propose to hunt for adventures in a strange 

 place and as the company gathered in the bar-room of 

 the hotel does not attract me, I have retired into my as- 

 signed room and am dreaming of "sylvester-night" at 

 home ! 



January 1st, 1854. 

 San Jose" is one of the oldest California settlements, 

 and existed long before the gold-fever appeared. Its mis- 

 sion contributed largely to its importance and the agri- 

 cultural possibilities assure a lasting resource. The pop- 

 ulation consists largely of Mexicans and California In- 

 dians, often mixed-breeds, which the eye of the northern 

 immigrant can hardly distinguish. One thing strikes me 

 and would strike the most careless observer: the untidi- 

 ness and actual filth, with which the lower classes of these 

 people surround themselves. But I suppose there will 

 be plenty of chances for me hereafter to dwell upon just 

 such descriptions. There is a magnificent variety of wild- 

 flowers in this part of the country and when one sees the 

 fantastically dressed natives roam lazily about among 

 nature's choicest productions, the sight is attractive in- 

 deed. 



