90 RESOURCES OF CALIFORNIA. 



Samuel Bowles writes that " there is a steady tone in the 

 atmosphere like draughts of champagne or the subtle presence 

 of iron. It invites to labor, and makes it possible. Horses can 

 travel more miles here in a day than at the East, and men 

 and women feel impelled to an unusual activity." 



C. L. Brace thinks that " it is the most exhilarating atmos- 

 phere in the world." 



The London /Spectator said, editorially, that the climate of 

 California is that of Greece cooled, and the climate of Tasmania 

 is that of England etherealized, and the two are the nearest 

 perfection in the world. 



66. San Francisco. San Francisco seldom suffers more 

 than three hot days in succession. When the sun has had an 

 opportunity to rage for so long a period, the air in the interior 

 of the State becomes so hot, that it rises rapidly ; and the 

 ocean-winds, which must rush to supply the place, never fail 

 to bring cool weather to the vicinity of the Golden Gate. 

 Thus, the mercury has risen (and that was its highest) to 97, 

 and it often falls in July to 46 ; and such a change of fifty 

 degrees might occur within twelve hours. The average range 

 ; of the thermometer in July and August is about 20 from 

 50 to 70. Yet, as the mornings and evenings are cool, and 

 the noons are not always warm, " summer clothing " is seldom 

 worn by men, and never for twelve consecutive hours. The 

 common custom is, to wear woolen coats and trousers of the 

 same thickness in summer and winter. The persons who visit 

 San Francisco during the summer, from the interior of the 

 State, where the climate from May to October is much warm- 

 er, and where summer clothes are worn, are much bothered 

 at having to bring their winter clothes with them. The ed- 

 itor of a Stockton paper, disgusted with the climate of the 

 metropolis in July, expressed himself somewhat after this 

 manner : " You go out in the morning shivering, notwith- 

 standing the fact that you are dressed in heavy woolen cloth- 

 ing, and under-clothing, and have a thick overcoat buttoned 



