100- EXPLORATIONS ACROSS THE GREAT BASIN OF UTAH. 



cultivated, and beautifully rich with grain, which is being harvested, and the neat 

 board fences and houses everywhere attest the rapid growth of the State and the 

 enterprising character of the people. The pine is seldom seen after you leave Placer- 

 ville, and from Folsom west the oak is almost entirely the native tree. They are 

 very large and umbrageous, and being interspersed in a park-like way, give a beautiful 

 aspect to the landscape. The ugly stumps of the recently-cleared lands in our older 

 States are nowhere to be seen. 



At Sacramento there were nine steamers, great and small, lying at the wharves- 

 The Eclipse, in which we took passage at 2 o'clock for San Francisco, is like our 

 Mississippi boats, and as handsome, comfortable, and neat as the best of them. Fare 

 to San Francisco, $5, and $1 additional for dinner. Distance, 120 miles. Had but 

 little time to glance at the city, but saw enough to convince me of its business thrift. 

 Hope to see more of it on my return. Saw Mr. Upson, editor of the Union, who 

 expressed himself as delighted with the success of our expedition across the Great 



The Sacramento is a noble stream, probably about 200 yards wide. Its color 

 quite red, like all the streams I have seen this side of the foot of the Sierra Nevada, 

 caused, I am informed, by the universal use of the water for washing gold out of the 

 soil, which is of a red color. At the present time the river is from 4 to 6 feet below 

 the top of its banks, and at times is said to overflow them. Indeed, in order to pro- 

 tect the city of Sacramento from inundation, a levee has been made all around it. The 

 country between Sacramento and the bay of San Francisco lies very low and level, 

 as far as the eye can reach, and everywhere looks rich and productive. Windmills 

 for purposes of irrigation are a prominent characteristic. As you approach San Fran- 

 cisco the land assumes a higher and bolder aspect, and the mainland, as well as the 

 islands, become remarkable on account of their peculiarly bold and convex shape from 

 the water up; and the brownish-red colored oats, at this season of the year, occasion- 

 ally relieved by dark patches of timber, give a very unique character to the landscape. 

 Touched at Benicia, where there is a military post, and had a chat with Maj. George 

 P. Andrews and Lieut. Job J. Chandler, Second Artillery, who, seeing me in military 

 attire, introduced themselves. Reached San Francisco at a quarter after 9 in the even- 

 ing, and put up at the International Hotel. 



June 18, San Francisco.— Intending to leave to-morrow on my return to Genoa, 

 have only time to see friends. Find, however, the place exceedingly city-like. Has 

 many fine,^ substantial houses. The streets, especially Montgomery street, are full of 

 people. Everything seems to be done on the high-pressure principle. Rents, I am 

 informed, are still very high. Visited the market and saw a splendid exhibition of 

 vegetables. They have the largest strawberries here I have ever seen. Notice the 

 egg of a wild water-fowl, which is found on the islands and exposed for sale. Called 

 on a number of old friends, principally officers of the Army. Was invited to take a 

 ride about the city and suburbs, but had not the time. The cool breeze from the 

 Pacific, generally in the afternoon, makes winter-clothing agreeable even in the depth 

 of summer. .Messrs. McCrellish & Woodward, of the Alta-Caliibrnia, are anxious that 

 I should allow Mr. Walter Lowry, their city commercial correspondent, and who is an 



