"A Red Lightie Abroad" continued.

The first thing that strikes a stranger on landing in San Francisco is the cosmopolitan nature of its inhabitants. I believe every nation under the sun is represented here. In walking a single block on any of the leading thoroughfares, one can hear three or four different languages spoken. Of the foreign population, I think Irish and German are predominant. The much hated Chinaman also form an important section of the population. They have here, what is termed Chinatown, as mostly all of them live in the same part of the city. For the Chinaman himself I have no hatred, but I do detest his filth and dirt. In walking near the surroundings of Chinatown, one can smell it two or three blocks away. A dozen of them will occupy one room, which would accommodate only two or three Americans or Europeans.

The city of San Francisco is about the same size and has about the same population as Melbourne, Australia. I also believe they are about the same age. But for public buildings, and in fact the general aspect of the City, to my mind, it is far behind Melbourne. There is only one public park that I am aware of for the entire City and it is about four miles from the center of town. But the fact of the matter is there is very little time here for the working man to recreate himself, as in most cases, he has to work ten hours per day, Saturday included. San Francisco is the terminus for the Pacific coast, and in consequence has always a great number of travelers. To meet their wants they have some first class hotels in the city. As Melbourne might be called “the City of Town Halls,” San Francisco might well be called “the City of Hotels.” The Palace Hotel, which is said to be the grandest in the world, occupies an entire block and is seven stories high and is fitted up with all the latest improvements. The inner court is lit up by two electric lights. Throughout the building are three or four elevators, worked by hydraulic power, for carrying up guests and luggage so they don't need to climb stairs.

Another thing worthy of mention in this city, is the cable tramway, which I think, are away ahead of anything I have seen in that line. They are worked by wire ropes, which are laid underground and driven by a stationary engine. One of the lines here is about four miles long. I think there is less danger of accident with them than the type of locomotion which is in use at home. As to the social and moral aspect of the City, I think it is away below par. The Sabbath does not seem to be recognized by the majority of the people here, as all the theatres, saloons and shops, etc, are open as on other days. As to law and order, there is plenty of it here, but very little justice. Since I came here, there has been five or six murders committed, but somehow or other the murderers, have all managed to get clear.

Since I came to San Francisco, I have come across a great many Scotchmen, and not a few Arbroathians. A good number of them hold positions of trust especially in the engineering business. In the Risdon Iron Works where I am employed, which by the way is the largest in the City, employing about 500 men. The head draughtsman McDickie and head foreman McDerward are both Red Lighters, besides four or five others.

But as I know you will all be getting weary with this, as I have already taken up too much time, I will now close by wishing your society every success.

Yours truly,
An Old Member


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