Page:California Historical Society Quarterly vol 22.djvu/259

 hundreds assembled in the Plaza and patriotic speeches were the order of the day; next Tuesday was appointed as a grand holiday to celebrate the nuptials of the "Bride of the West." The admission of California as a state has given confidence and stability to everything in the shape of business. A few days since a small select party of 'us mounted on steeds at early dawn, and started on a picnic party on the shores of the Pacific. The coast is some eight miles from here, and we had a beautiful ride over hill and dale, hunting as we rode along, the quails were abundant and we saw sev- eral grey wolves and coyotes prowling about. The prime object of our picnic was the discussion of "Clam Soup," and we were armed with all the utensils and instruments necessary on such an occasion. We must have been a picturesque group as we threaded the mountain paths, Indian file, with all the kettles and kitchen fixings at our saddle bows. I couldn't help smiling at the idea of what a nice figure we would have cut anywhere on the shores of the Atlantic. When we arrived at the spot selected and picketed our horses in a pretty little valley we clambered down the rocks to the beach, and a most picturesque place it was. We found we could not have any clams without ducks, for a tremendous surf was rolling in from the ocean, dash- ing over the rocks and throwing the spray and foam in a magnificent style; however at it we went and made the best of the ducking we got, and soon had a kettle full of the "Natives" over a great fire. In short we had glorious appetites, we had glorious good clam soup, and with spoons made of the "purple mussel shell" which "glowed with purple paint without, and shone with silvery pearl within" we ate our stews in "thankful silence" until our appetites somewhat appeased, and our hearts warmed with the good cheer, we took each a cigar, had a succession of stump speeches on the union in which I must say that Clam Soup figured rather largely, and was proved to be indispensably necessary to the preservation of the union, and the benefit of the Constitution. We then took a stroll along the beach and viewed the seals, sea lions and other monsters of the deep, at a respectful distance of course. We then returned to our horses who meanwhile had regaled them- selves on the fresh grass and no doubt enjoyed the holiday as much as our- selves. We had a pleasant ride home by moonlight, and the day will dwell as a green sunny spot in the remembrance of all the party, for t'was a day of pure enjoyment, and our friends at home were not forgotten especially the sweethearts and wives who were pledged in bumpers. At the conclusion of our repast each man took his unique spoon formed of mussel shell and bamboo (the which I claim as my invention) and, raising it aloft, made a vow that said spoon should be preserved till the latest period of life as a sacred relic, so you may expect to see in my cabinet of curiosities when I get home the identical spoon with which I ate Clam Soup on the shores of the Pacific.

Our grand celebration came off finely and surpassed many a display I have