SAN FRANCISCO. 359 



with brownish rays towards the centre, and a semi- 

 circular sail set lengthways upon them at right angles. 

 Also quantities of mossy-looking masses floated past, 

 which were supposed to be whale spawn. 



The total distance from Yokohama to San Francisco, 

 according to the ship's log-book, was 4,763 miles. The 

 approach of the latter harbour, winding our way 

 between some hilly islands, was pleasant to the eye 

 after the monotony of so much sea, and nothing but 

 sea, for twenty-two days. 



America and Canada have been so often discussed 

 in print that it would be no easy matter to interest my 

 readers in anything I can say about them ; I shall, 

 therefore, content myself, relating briefly what route I 

 took and what I did see. 



San Francisco, or Frisco, as one often hears it called, 

 and its leviathan hotels, is not a pleasant place for 

 people who wish for quiet and rest, everything there 

 is over-boiling activity and noise. The town covers 

 several low hills, and is straggling and dusty ; the 

 houses are mostly built of wood with mud-brown 

 plaster facings. In the streets it is a common occurrence 

 to meet an entire house in the act of chanofinof its 

 locality, on wooden rollers, whilst the ordinary occu- 

 pation of cooking, washing, etc., is going on inside as 



