The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, March 21, 1897, Page 17

UNDAY MORNING, MARCH 21, 1897 957, RS AN VA PPN 2ot & > e T a quld of sepsible epj spepdipé a penyy... e)/yeyi’ )/a(l i‘ t San Francisco every L veur, than & very small per cent are aware of how generously our srovides for the entertainment, in- ion and amusement, *‘‘ without withont price,” of all within r gates, This is by no means to be wondered at, ce among our own well-informed citi- ns there are not a few who wou!d find it ficult to enumerate, offhand, the differ- ent places of interest wuich are abso- lutely free to the public, or to give any detinite idea of the various exhibits which may be seen by any one who tak trouble to look them up without paying & doorkeeper or feeing a custodian. The “‘free shows’’ of our City are not ad- vertised in our newspapers, and therefore it is that comparatively few avail them- selves of the privileges which belong to, and should be enjoyed by, the many. There are San Franciscans who have spent all, or the greater part, of their lives bere, and yet bhave taken advantage of but a smalt part of the opportunities within their reach, simply because their attention hasnever been called to the fact of the oiher’s existence. As for our visitors, the great majority of them come and go with the firm belief that when they have seen the park, the seals, and Ubinatown, they have beheld all that the town, in her capacity of hostess, cares to show her guests; but this is far from being the case. ing as the statement may seem to those who have not informed them- selves on the subject, it is, however, a fact, and one to be proud of, that in no ty in the United States bas more varied provision been made for the edification of both “home folks”’ d “company” than has been made here in iree-handed San Francisco. Our City herself has a world-wide repu- tation as & “3how place.” Her besutiul ed hilis, her cosmopolitan her palatial private resi- e business blocks, ker richly nd-ber markets, full at all e year of enicurean delights, e to make ber,in her own way, ne of the most interesting cities of the world. 1. is not, bowever, of San Francisco as a City that thi cle purposes to speak, but of co as & gracious chate- laine and of the ways in which she strives 1o please her own household and all those 1aim her hospital 1e oldest and best known of the four eums to which the public has abso- treedom of entry is in the Academy ences at 519 Market street. Forty-four years ago, when the Acad- the | 2 if, of the many thou- | On the fields of Timbuctoo | He did ea: a missionary, Skin, and brnes, and by mnbook, 100! Here is to be seen the mammoth as he appeared in ages long gone by, and fac- | similes of the most wonderful fossils ever discovered. And here, too, are lndian | garments, implements and weapons, suits | of Japanese armor, ancient idois and pot- | tery, Aztec relics, mummies, models of | different portions of the earth’s surface, | stuffed birds and beasts and reptiles, a large collection of piscatorial specime | ana hunareds of articles which must per- force be classed under the general head of | “too nymerous to mention,”” but which great mterest to all who care to add | are of to their knowledge of our earth and itsin- | habitants. |~ The late J. Z. Davis was for many years | curator of this museum and made it many | generous gifts. The recently elected cu- | rator, Charles A. Keeler, of Berkeley, isa ! young man full of enthusiasm regarding | the work before him, and has already planned several changes that will add { much to the interest as well as to the use- | falness of the institution. he recent notable additions to | the collections is an exhibit of tapa cloth, and the implements and earth dyes used | in its manufacture, which were purchased | from Mrs. Helen Osbourne with money | left for that purpose by Mr. Davis. Pro- | fessor David Starr Jordan has also re- cently presented to the museum six fine specimens of the fur sealand a sea lion, which be secured dnring his summer’s visit to the Privyloff Islands. Besides inviting the pablic to its mu- | seumn the academy gives a course of free lectures which take place bi-monthly from January to the midale of March. The speakers are all noted scientists, and the subjects with which they deal are selected with a view to interesting as well as instructing their audiences. The museum of the California State Mining Burean, on Fourth street, near Market, is not only what it claims to be— “an exposition of the mineral wealth of | the Pacific Coast”—but is a surprisingly ‘ varied and excellent exhibit of the min- eral resources of the world. E Specimens of the rarest as well as the | commonest minerals are on view here, 1P.nd even visitors absolutely destitute of | scientitic knowledge cannot fail to be in- | terested in the well-arranged and well- | cared-for collection of minerals and ores. The practicat utility of this museum, however, far outweighs its great value as a mere exhibition. By its policy of secur- ing from other localities and countries | specimens of the different formations in | which gold has been found it has given s many new ideas, and has won- | | | our mir emy of Sciences crystaliized from an idea | derfully broadened the field of our mining | to a reality and occupied verylimited quarters on Clay street, a small collection | industry. Miners who have in the past prospected of scientific curios wus placed on exhibi- | for quariz only can here see in how many | tion there and proved a great attraction to those Who were not too busily engaged in. money-making to think of such matters. E When the intention of the founders to different mediums gold has so far been | found, and. familiarizing themselves with | the appearance of the various gold-bearing | rocks and deposits, are enabled to *‘wrest | ber golden secret from the earth” in STATE BOARD O maintain & museum for the use of the public became generally known gifts of all tanner of objects of interest' came to them from strangers as well as friends and the collection grew so rapidly that it was soon far oo large for its accommoda- tioi. Remoyal to the old church on: the cor- ner of California and Dupont streets belped matters somewhat, but the addi- tions to the museum continued to come in at such a rate that it was not long be- fore that place, too, became overcrowded. The generosity of James Lick, however, made it poss.ble for the museum to, in 1890, be placea in'a fitting and permanent hotne, where from 9to 5 daily, wiih the exception of Sundays and holidays, the doors are open to all comers. The exbibit is a popular one in every M cense, since it contains not only most ex- ceilent cotlections ot fossils, minerals and shells, and specimens of ry order of animal life, but curios of all kinds from every quarter of the globe. Here the awed visitor may behold the majestic cassowary, an overgrown fowl, * with dark-brown body, long red neck and a sky-blue head, and shudder the while at the remembrance of the oid rhyme which runs something like thi /i F TRADE EXHIBIT. places which, with the carelessness of ignorance, they formerly passed by with- out a second glance. Tlie exhibit of auriferous conglomerate irom South Africa on view here set peo- ple to looking for the same thing in our State, and they have been rewarded by finding something very similar in the region lying between Shasta and Oregon. Nothing like the Utah sedimentary de- posit, which carries cinnabar in fine crys- tals as well as gold, has yet been dis- covered here, but we have three -mines successfully working gold-bearing granite, one crushing hornblende at a large profit and another getting $400 a ton out of hematite, all of which minerals were thought barren of treasure until very lately. Besides being of incalculable benefit in | many ways to all iaterested in mining, tne bureau is invaluable to intending set- tlers and other land purchasers, for here is shown the varieties and qualities of soils and minerals in different localities, and the courtecus and thoroughly in- formed secretary, H. 8. Durdon, is always ready and able to eive full explanations regarding anything which comes within the wide scope of the bureau’s work. Specimens of native-and foreign woods and barks, the best set of county maps in the City, fossils, corals, an interesting ethnological department, a large numis- matic collection and a fine variety of ex- | hibits make this museum as attractive to the sightseer as it is educational 10 those in search of solid information. The hours sre from 10 to 5, and it is closed cnly on Sundays and legal holidays. In the same building is an exhibit dear to the hearts of all true Californians, and of special interest to all California’s friends and admirers. Here the Society of California Pioneers has gathered together a host of argonautic Besides the many things which may be called family heirlooms by Califor- nians, the Pioneers have on view an ex- tensive variety of minerals and fossils and general curiosities from all over the world, and from 10 to 5 v’clock all the year around the public is welcome to inspect them. The: Park museum, near the Powell- street entrance of our City’s pleasure ground, is only two years old as yet, but it is extremely large and smart for its age. The arrangement is excellent, the ex- hibits being carefully segregated and dis- played to advantage in different depart- the throne, church, Navoleon, ceramic, aboriginal and model anu map rooms each contain articles curious, rare and valuable. In Egyptian Hall five mummies swathed in linen lie in grewsome state, and in ad- jacent rooms collections of most.exquisite fans and miniatures serve to lighten the gloom induced by the sight of princess and priestess torn from their tombs to be made a “show” of to strangers in a strange land. The Park Conservatory is another of our **free shows’’ which is well worth visiting, for it contains some of the rarest and finest VIEW IN THE MUSEUM OF THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. relics, to which every passing year adds greater value. The chain used by Jasper O'Farrell in laying out San Francisco in 1844, the original bear flag of 1846..the piano brought round the Horn in 1849, files of all the tearly days’ newspapers, some of the guns and other articles used by the Vigi- lance Committee that so effectually “straightened out” various crockednesses in our young municipality, and daguer- reotypes and ambrotypes of many of the most noted men who in the past made our present possible, form a small part of this somewhat heterozeneous buu ex- tremely interesting collection. Specially notable aiso are the various articles from Sutter’s mill, the momen- tos of the Donner party, the dies used in coining gold pieces Lere before the Gov- ernmeat did it for us and the pictures of the old missions. ments, of which there are over twenty. One of the most attractive of these to many of the visitors is the colonial bed- yoom and kitchen, wherein are gathered many articles of furniture and the clumsy domestic 1mplements of “the good old colony days, when we lived under a king.” A glance at the (in)conveniences of our foremothers’ establisuments is enough to make a modern housekeeper thoughtful and thankful; and the ‘‘club woman’ of to-day fairly shudders at the sight of the spinning-wheels and the loom which took up tho spare time of the “home woman’’ of the past. In the armor-room there is & specially fine collection of fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth century armor, helmets, aucient bows, guns, pistols, battle-axes daggers, cannon, pikes, slings, spears, hal- rerdsand all manner of weapons of offense exotics to be found in the whole country. A Cyecas Circinalis extending to the roof and possessing at least sixty perfect leaves is one of the wonders of the place, as is also a Pritchardia Pacifica of unusual size and beauty, and a gi:antic fern, Angziop- teris Evicta from the Solomon Islands. The coliection of palms and ferns to be seen here is second to none in the United States, and among the orchids, of which a speciality is made, are beautifuil specimens of Cattleya Trimna, Lelia Acuminata and anceps and Epidendrum Stamfordianum. The brilliant Anthuriums, tropical lady’s slippers and East Indian pitcher plants are represented here by a large number of flourishing specimens, and amid all the ristous profusion of foliage and blossom in this glass palace there is not one plant that is not deserving of spe- cial attention and admiration. The exhibition of the State Board of and defense. The oriental and jewel halls, TEBEBVEELLB8S Canagenen ==,V ERY indication points to a very |Y> lar e increase in the number of visitors to the wonderful region emvraced in that section of the State where the rivers King and San Joaquin have their sources. s Clarence King, in 1863, was almost the first man of scientific attainments that penetrated 1nto this unknown land. He t was who discovered the great canyon of Kings River and described its wonders in a most fascinating book of adventure and exploration. After King other travelers undertook the hard and perilpus journey and brought back stories of the most mar- velous character concerning its valleys, peaks, canyous and streams, but for some reason the enthusiasm of those who love to explore new scenes was not aroused, or else they were deterred by the unaccessi- bility of the various marvels and the ditfi- culty of wraversing what at best is an in- hospisable and forbidding region. But within the past year this region of the high Sierras has been visited by ex- plorers who have given to the world most enthusiastic accounts of the charms which tuis country offers to the tourist and demonstrated that the routes and trails are accessible to persons of ordinary strength, and at a moderate expense one may enjoy the grandest succession of wonderful sights that exist on the whole continert. The high region of the Sierras com- mences at the Yosemite and includes all that portion of the State to the south of it. There are 25,000 square miles of ele- vated territory, most of which has been imperfectly explored, and besides there are hundreds of square miles over which no while man, excepting the solitary sheep-herder, bas ever traveled, and the natural featores of which are unknown. What wonders await the hardy explorer in these bits of unknown territory can only be suspected. The discovery of a new Yosemite, surpassing in wonders that unapproachable valley, is possible, while beneath the shadows. of the giant peaks there may exist another Yellow- stone, with its gigantic geysers and im- pressive evidences of former physical con: valsions. 3 The streams flowing down the gorges of the great peaks may conceal in their up- per courses canyons as impressive as Kings or waterfalls that rival in altitude those of the Yosemite. If the intrepid explorer can once fix his name on some natural object that he may discover his immortality is assured, like Whitney, -Brewer, Gardner, King and others. . Such a distinction awaits the exvlorer who plunges into unknown regions and returns with tidings of new wonders. The most popular route for the tourist to these regions -ibis year will be from Sanger, Fresno County, where an outfit can be secured and anything lacking in stores can be had. A fairly good road to Millwood, 42 miles from Sanger, brings one to the point Wwhere the trail must be followed. From Miliwood to Kings River Canyon is 30 miles over a trail which as cends and descends from hill to valley, but is no more difficult than such routes are likely to be. The great canyon of Kings River is the gateway to the enchanted region beyond it, To reach that point requires no more than average effort, but beyond, to attain the higher altitudes of the region, requires determination of no ordinary character. Experienced mountain-ciimbers describe the toils and aangers to be met with as appalling, but the reward is great. Tt is announced that the trail from Mjll- wood to the canyon is to be greatly im- proved this year, and that many of the obstacles will be removed so that the journey may be miore expeditiously made. If the facilities of access to the canyon could be made less difficult, the tide of travel could be easily turned 1n that direc- tion, and hundreds would then enjoy the sight of one of the most remarkable objects that adorns the natural world. Kings River Canyon calls forth the most enthusiastic encomiums of all who have visited it. The Tocks tower in majestic altitude above the bed of the tumuituous stream, their profiles. carved by the ele- ments in- shapes that suggest the work of a grand sculptor, while waterfulls. dash down every intersecting rivulet and over gvery rocky canyon. For miles through this narrow cavity 1o the mountains sub- TV EEEEB BV EEBBBB 8 THE GLORIES OF KINGS RIVER CANYON 20299092922909999990999292229. lime scenes in infinite variety greet the eve of the enraptured observer. Mount King, at an altitude of 13,316 feet, Mount Woodworth and Mount Brown, of almost equal height, are the sentinels of this mighty fissure. Only. second to the great canyon of Kings River is that of Tehipite, almost as stupendous. Once at Kings River Canyon the hardy mountain-climber will find no insur- mountable obstacles that prevent his ex- ploring the lofty region of the high Sierras which lie to the west. The average alti- tude is not less than 10,000 feet, with Mount Whitney, 15,000 fest in height, dominating the entire landscape. Mount Gardner, with an altitude of 13,324 feet, affords a commanding view of the sum- mit of the range and looks down upon numberless peaks that appear like crests of waves- of a stormy sea petrified in the midst of some stupendous convulsion. fork of Kings River, is worthy of a visit. It is just at timber line and its walls are composed of peaks formed into most fan- tastic shapes. Bowlder Creek is an affluent of Kings River and a romantic stream. Along its banks are found bowlders of enormous size. The lovely lakes which -hide in the val- leys separating the great peaks are num- verless. Their placid depths mirror the ‘most magnificent views. The climate of the high Sierras is all that coula be desired. It is seldom so chilly as to be uncomfortable at night and the days are sometimes very hot. The ordinary provisions of the tourist are all- suflicient to guard against the inclemency of such weather as usually prevails during the months of summer. The generations which will enjoy the mighty spectacles which the Sierras pre- sent will think with gratitude of the pro- vision made by the Federal Government against the desecration of this region by the people and the better to preserve its will be greatly lessened. | for nearly eight years, awaiting the ad- Kearsage Pass, the source of the south |- Trade at 16 Post street gives to visitors an excellent idea of the agricultural and other industrial resources of our State. | Enormous bunches of grapes, mammoth oranges, gigantic squashes and pumpkins, all varieties of fruits, fresh, dried and pre- served; vegetables, grains, nuis, wines | and olive oil, are here shown as proofs of | California’s wonderful fertility of soil and geniality of climate. Among other wonders to be seen here are staiks of grain over seven feet tall, clear redwood boards over six feet wide and ‘slabs of polished burl rediood than which no wood in the world is more beau- tiful, The Californian visiting this exposition of our State’s products will come away teeling a new admiration for and vride in his home; while the traveler will no longer smile derisively at California’s “brag,”” since with his own eyes he has seen somethiny of her glories. Another interesting place open to the public is the United States Branch Mint, on the corner of Fifth and Mission streets From 9 to 11:30 4. . daily, except Sun- days, visitors are admitted to all depart- ments of this institution, and under the guidance of courteous conductors are shown the entire process of turning gold and silver bullion into legal coin ot the Republic. They may likewise see the sealed doors behind which, in canvas sacks containing $1000 each, over $40,000,000 has been lying vent of a new superintendent of an inquir- ing mind who “wants to know, you know,” enough to have the stock on hand unsealed, weighed and sealed up again. The best collection of coins and medals in the United States is also on exhibition here. Itis the property of the Pioneers, and consisis of over 1700 specimens, an- cient and modern, some of them so rareas to be worth small fortunes in themselves. The Presidio is another of our City’s “show places,” although it is really the exclusive property of Uncle Sam. Bean- tifully laid out, adorned with flowers, shrubbery and ornamental trees, and cared for as neatly as a lady’s boudoir, the *'stern implements of war,” for which it is a frame, contrast oddly with their Eden-like suzroundings. An inspection of the fortifications and | batteries, together with the new dvnamite guns, is interesting even to the most peaceful civilians, and the gifferent exer- | cises of the soldiers provide an entertain- ment which is never given to empty benches. Guard mount takes place every morning at §:45, and there 1s daily drill from 9:30 to 11:15. A concert by the military band is given every Friday afternoon at 2 ] o’clock, and on the last day of each month | there is a general muster, beginning at 2 | o’'clock in the afternoon. Besides this, practicing for the athletic | games, which take place twice a year, is constantly going on, and, taken alto- gether, a_day spent at this reservation is far from being wasted, since new ideas interest to mariners in general, and also to such “landlubbers’ as are curious to know something about the scientific side of thelife of those who *'go down to the sea in sbips.” In accordance with the wish of Edward Searles, donor of the magnificent building which it occupies, the Mark Hopkins In- stitute of Art is thrown op-n to the pub- lic without admission fee on the first Fri- day of each month. The interior of the house 1s in itself an artistic exhibit, and the pictures hung here include not only some very excellent and admirable work by our local artists but also a number of rare and valuable canvases from abroad. The collection presented by Mr. Searles is particularly worthy of notice, and in ine east room two beautiful Murilios, the property of C. P. Huntington, and a mag- nificent Japanese bronze, the finest in the United States, lent to the institute by Mrs. Pheeve Hearst, form a special attrac- tion. Tkree libraries have -their doors open to all visitors. The Free Public Library, containing in all over 75,000 volumes, has elezant and commodious quarters in the McAllister-street wing of the City Hall its reference, reading and veriodical rooms are second to none, and it 1s open until® o’clock in the evening. The Law Library, in the Larkin-street wing of the same building, is exception- aily fine, containing, as it does, over 30,000 volumes of legal lore, to which all comers have free access.. The library and reading-room of the State Mining Burean consistof standard and reliable works upon all subjects in the province of the bursau, and the col- lection is kept strictly up to date. All periodicals treating of these subjects are kept on file and bound, forming a de- partment which is of great value joall who are practically or theoretically inter ested in learning all that they can in re- gard to the mineral wealth not only of the coast but of the world in general. Fronexce Pemoy Maraesox. So Much to Learn. So much to learn! Old Nature’s ways 0f glee and gloom, with rapt amaze To stuay, probe and paint—brown earth, Salt sea, blue heavens, their tilth and dearths Birds, grasses, trees—the natural things That throb or grope or poise ou Wings. So much to learn about the world men and women! We are hurled rough interstellar space a while Together, then the sob, the smile Issileced, and the solemn spheres Whirl lonesomely along the years. So much to learn from wisdom’s store Of early art and ancient lore. S0 many stories treasured long On temples, tombs and columns strong. The legend of old eld, so large And elcquent from marge to marge. _ much to learn about one’s self; 'he fickle soul, the nimble elf That mesks as me; the shifty will, The sudden valor and the thriil; AT GOLDEN GATE PARK MUSEUM. born of novel experiences are carried away to relieve the monotony of prosaic every day life. ‘While those especially interested in horticulture will find a visit to the office of Alexander Craw, in the Chief Wharfin- ger's building, at the head of Clay-street wharl, instructive as well as entertaining, seafaring people will find both pleasure and profit in visiting the branch Hydro- graphic Office, U. 8. N., located in the Merchants’ Exchange, on Californiastreet, between Montgomery and Kearny. Mr. Craw is quarantine officer of the State Board of Horticulture; and in his the iconoclast. The whole western slope | foes to vegetable life which so far have has been set aside as a park for the vse of | been discovered and classified. ’ natural beauty. Trails will undoubtedly | complete sets of charts, nautical instru- be made and thus the labor of the tourist | ments and sailing directions of the world, office may be seen specimens of all the In the Hydrographic Office there are together with many other things of great The shattered shaft, the broken force That seems supernal in its source. And yet the days are brief. The sky Shuts down before the waking eye Hes bid good-morrow to the sun; The light drops low, and Life is aone. Good-by, good-night, the star-iam; So brief the time, 50 much to learn! RICHARD BURTON, —_————— The Gonquering VYoice. In spite of fate he fought, a man divine: “ Down, fool!” the sueering voices cried; of hell Sword flashes sought his heart; he made no sign: «Give up, O friend!”. He heard, and, pausing, fell! MAURICE FRANCtS EAGAN in New York Sum. demitiny i There are only nine different tones in the buman voice, but there are 17,592,186, 044,415 different sounds. & "