Page:California Inter Pocula.djvu/294



might wade  or  swim  according  to  depth  and  consist- ence. But by  the  winter  following  some  of  the  more central streets  were  planked,  and  remembering  their former abasement  horses  and  drivers  became  frisky  as the  animals'  feet  clattered  upon  the  firm  thoroughfare, and there  were  loud  complaints  against  street-racing. Not only  equestrians  dashed  their  horses  up  and  down the crowded  streets  at  unlawful  speed,  but  the  buggies, carriao:es, and  even  carts  drove  off  at  furious  rates. It was  a  difficult  country  for  either  animals  or  men to keep  quiet  in.

Very different  was  the  aspect  presented  by  Califor- nia street in  1853  from  that  of  1873  after  the  banks,  in- surance buildings, and  Merchant's  Exchange  had  been erected. At the  former  date  the  planked  street  was perforated with  holes  of  various  sizes  and  depths, some of  dimensions  sufficient  to  swallow  a  horse  and cart, others  aspiring  to  nothing  larger  than  a  man's leg. The occupants  of  the  street,  however,  did  not seem to  take  the  matter  much  to  heart. Many of the  apertures  were  fenced  in  or  covered  and  labelled. Over one  was  drawn  a  large  picture,  a  caricature  of the  vicinity,  representing  the  street  with  the  surround- ing buildings, and  a  horse- and  dray  just  disappearing through one  of  the  openings,  while  another  quietly stands by  looking  on. On the  boards  which  guarded the way  were  placards  and  divers  inscriptions,  such as, "Head  of  navigation;  no  bottom,"  "Horse  and dray  lost;  look  out  for  the  soundings." "Storage wanted; inquire  below." "Squatters attention!  Xji- ver's  ranch." " Office  to  let  in  the  basement;  Wil- liam Diver,  agent." "Good fishing  for  teal,"  and others of  like  import.

The winter  of  1849  bore  hard  upon  both  merchants and gold-diggers. The season  was  very  wet;  the people were  unfamiliar  with  the  climate,  and  not  well provided with  shelter  or  clothing. There was  the half- starved miner  in  his  board  house  or  cabin,  the merchant shivering  in  his  tent.