SOCIETY. 27 



young, ruddy, round-faced business men, whom I mistake for 

 Englishmen, but they are Yankee-born." 



Robert von Schlagintweit, a distinguished German traveler, 

 says : 



" The visitor from the Eastern States of America immedi- 

 ately observes the fresh appearance of the Californians ; and is 

 astonished at the healthy complexions and light red cheeks, 

 which are rare in his former home." 



These quotations are inserted here not only to confirm my 

 own statements, and give additional authority to them, but also 

 to show how strongly travelers are impressed with the evi- 

 dences that a race of peculiar physical character, or at least 

 different from and superior to those of the Atlantic States, will 

 grow up here. I have not found anywhere an adverse opinion. 



29. Publicity of Life. Life in California is very public. 

 Many of the people live in hotels and at large boarding- 

 houses. Travelers are numerous ; theaters and balls are 

 abundant and well attended ; celebrations and festivals are 

 frequent ; the population is excitable ; all take the newspapers, 

 and all are interested in the events of the day ; and the his- 

 tory of the country is full of eventful incidents, which 

 always present fruitful topics for discussion. Money is 

 abundant, and is easily earned, and of course it is spent 

 freely ; and the favorite method of spending is in public fes- 

 tivities and attending places of amusement. The regularity 

 of the summer climate enables people to make journeys, 

 excursions, picnics, and parties, without fear of rain or prepar- 

 ation for it. In the winter the people are not shut in by the 

 cold ; and at San Francisco the coolness of the climate is a 

 constant stimulus to exercise, and an invitation to go into the 

 street. Dancing parties are common throughout the year. 

 Numerous national, secret, and benevolent associations, Sun- 

 day-schools, and military companies, must have their annual 

 picnics, while others have their periodical festivities in the 

 form of balls. But perhaps the amusement which has found 



