SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. 487 
vie with the fashionable stores of New York. The 
Spanish ladies are fond of dress ; and I have no doubt 
the manufacturers of Lyons sell as rich silks in Mexico 
as they do in Paris or London. 
In the afternoon I walked out to the suburbs for 
the purpose of making the accompanying sketch. I 
chose for my site an old burial place. In the fore- 
ground, are a number of small houses built of sticks 
and adobe, with pointed roofs, thatched with palm 
leaves. In the middle of the picture, less distinct, is 
the best portion of the town ; while the harbor and 
northern promontory are seen beyond. 
I found a number of Americans here, some of whom 
had been waiting a month for a steamer for San Fran- 
cisco. Three days before my arrival, the regular mail 
steamer reached the offing, and sent a boat on shore 
for the mail, but refused to receive any passengers, on 
the ground that she was full. These people were 
greatly disappointed, and complained bitterly. Many 
had expended their last cent, and were now in great 
distress. 
January l^th. Called on Mr. Gatton, the U. S. Con- 
sul, who received me kindly and extended many civili- 
ties to me. Mr. G., who is from Virginia, informed 
me that the income of his office was five hundred dol- 
lars less than his expenses. Board, office rent, postages, 
&c., were very high. He remained solely for the benefit 
of his health. 
As the chances were against my getting a steamer 
for San Diego, I was advised to take a sailing vessel for 
Acapulco. At that place all the Californian steamers 
stop for coal ; and as they arrive every week, I should 
