xT. 74.] TO J. D. HOOKER. 769 
drives up cafions, in these fine oaks and plane-trees, 
occasionally an Acer macrophyllum and an Alder. 
Avoiding the sea, which gives a short route, we 
reached San Francisco by a lovely drive, in a hired 
wagon, over a pass in the Santa Inez Mountains to the 
coast (south) at Ventura, and so up the broad and 
long Santa Clara Valley to Newhall, on the Southern 
Pacific railway, not very far above Los Angeles (two 
days’ drive, most pleasant), then by rail overnight and 
to this place to breakfast, and on to San Francisco. 
We stopped this time at the Lick House, where we 
had, European-wise, a room, not quite so good as we 
had at the Palace Hotel eight years ago, and fed at 
the restaurant, very nice and reasonable, when we were 
not visiting or invited out, which was most of the 
time. So it was not expensive, our room (parlor, bed- 
room shutting off, and a bathroom) costing only about 
12 shillings for us both. Harkness looks the same, 
but older; is absorbed in fungology. Here again we 
were made much of for twelve days, most busy ones. 
General McDowell, who you remember dined us at 
the “ Palace,” is ill; we saw him twice, and he has 
since so failed that we daily expect to hear of the end. 
May 4. In Farlie’s Chalet hotel in the Grand 
Caiion of the Colorado. 
Dr. Brigham, you remember, who took us to the 
Chinese theatre, is now married, and has three children 
by a bright wife, with a rich father, and a handsome 
house, above Presidio, —a fine site, and filled with fine 
things from all countries, and such a rose-garden ; gave 
us a handsome dinner. Alvord and wife (president 
now of Bank of California), noble people, did wonders 
for us, and a dinner and drives. A lunch over at the 
university ; and another by General (commanding the 
