USA > California > The California pilgrim: a series of lectures > Part 3
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I saw in my dream, when the good ship that bore the
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THE CALIFORNIA PILGRIM.
Pilgrim to the shore of this far-off clime, was above the thirty-third parallel of north latitude, and so abreast the land How the conver- of gold, that all the conversation was turned sation was turn- ed. on the new state ; its wonders, resources, ro- mances and peculiarities of divers sorts. Pilgrim was much instructed and admonished by what he heard and saw ; for all the stories of witchery, legerdemain, transmigration, and transmutation, that were ever told in Doomsend, by the sons of Belial and others, seemed to him to have almost come to pass in the new region.
He saw those once known as very refined and polished What changes in gentlemen, in so short a time as he had known men the Pilgrim saw. them, turn to blacklegs and pimps. He saw quiet, sober men become brawlers and drinkers. HIc saw the well educated youth, the loved and doated on, the hope and pride of a lone and weeping mother, fall a victim to his passions. He saw the middle-aged man, his family left behind, become a wine-bibber, and swearer, and a gallanter of courtesans. He saw eyes reddening with blood that once shone with a clear and steady light. He heard oaths from lips that once, in other days, had promised to keep holy covenants ; and he witnessed the blighting of many an early hope and good resolution. He was puzzled and could
What he saw not understand how this and that form of
perplexed him.
wickedness and indulgence should come of such a voyage ; until he considered the effect of all changes upon the character ; and thought more of the passage :- "The love of money is the root of all evil ; which, while some coveted after, they have erred from the truth, and thrust themselves through with many sorrows." He per- ceived that the love of money, inordinately indulged,-and-
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How love of mo- the anticipation of money, in like manner- ney leads to any unsettles, unhinges, and upsets men, withering and all sorts of
wickedness. all the freshness and bloom of their hearts ; and that thus they are left, not to any one class of sins, but to ready compliance with whatever passion, at the time, most strongly solicits them ; and so their falls are as various as their inclinations are diverse.
Indeed, so many were the falls he witnessed, that he was alarmed for those whose society he had been enjoying, lest they also should fall ; until he overheard the names of some of them whose derelictions were manifest; and found they were mostly of the very sort from whom not much else could have been expected. They were Mr. Formalist, Vainshow, What persons Yielding, Memory-brief, Sham-doer, Shrewd- lapsed into trans
gressions. manager, Halfwaywork, Easy-soul, Noconcern, Meeklymust, Makeshift, Unscrupulous, and many others, whom no one ever had much hope of, except when bet- ter men took care of them.
I saw in my dream, one day, that a peculiar group was gathered a little way from where Pilgrim sat meditating. There were in it, Mr. Vanity Fripp, who wore a sorrel hat, and five rings on each hand. His eyes and nose were seen just Mr Vanity Fripp peering out of the hairy wilderness of his face ; and several more and he had doubloon buttons on a claret coat. Beside him was Mr. Bombastes Ghee, a portly man, in full dress, with a double eagle specimen for a breastpin, with chains of unknown weight, by the yard, running around his neck and across the huge proportions of his bust ; and with a crooked cane, made but a little too small for Goliath. The man mag- And he carried an air of loftiness and abandon nificent. about him that made him, as he thought, perfectly magnificent in all circles, and especially killing
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among the ladies. Next was Mr. Voluble Seience, a small man with a jammed hat, green spectacles, seedy saek coat, no shoe strings, a face which was dried like the thick of sole leather, and all his pockets thrust full of instru- ments and papers. He had published no less than three The man scien- different theories of California Geology ; dis- tific. covered innumerable minerals and mines ; invented smelters, gold extraetors, and quartz machines numerous ; and now was on his way to change the whole business of the country with his " Patent Obstaele-mollifier and General Attractor of Valuables." Near him was Mr. Table Grumbler, whose lower jaw was prominent, whose The man carniv- mouth opened like an abyss, whose teeth erous and growl
ing at his meat. needed no dentist but a blacksmith's appren- tice with a rasp, whose nose concentered at its roots, several scowls that came down, like ravines from the mountains, through the lateral seams of his insignificant forehead. He had gone grumbling over California, and left it once, cursing it, and giving it over to barrenness and starvation. But, after having been turned out of every respectable hotel in the east, for grumbling about his food and making every body uncomfortable; he was now seeking his liberty again in the land where the only notice taken of his grumbling would be by the speedy removal of everything from the table, without a word; the only movement an inveterate grumbler can appreciate. There was also a small caliber The man of le- lawyer, with a bowie-knife, sword cane, and gal attainments. revolver ; having a leer about the eyes, lantern jaws, foxy whiskers, a long, sharp, hooked nose, and, in general, a lean and hungry look; who had been home shaving notes, dabbling in stoeks, and buying up, at a song, old claims against men whom he thought might have money
A
GROUP ON THE STEAMER'S DECK.
" All these were returning Californians "-Page 39.
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in California ; and now he was on his way back to scent out his victims, and line his pockets with cheap plunder. All these were returning Californians; and there were still others in the group, and all of them were much of the time engaged in astonishing Mr. Mordant Greene, Mr. Novice Smith, and Mr. Credible Ayer, with accounts of what they Astonished men had seen and heard in famous parts of the
and what they were astonished Pacific region ; particularly, with the narration, by.
in half whispers, of robberies, murders, ghosts Indians, greasers, grizzlies, gamblers, and what not; in connection with all of which their own adventures would seem to have been most marvellous, and their skill and prowess quite superhuman.
I saw, when the loud talkers and the low whisperers had Mr. Thoughtful pretty much exhausted themselves, and the ventures a ques- tion. conversation seemed to flag, that one Mr. Thoughtful ventured to inquire if there were not some quiet industrious citizens, and civilized communities, where there existed schools, and churches, and ministers, and other indications of humanity, refinement, and right living, to be found. On hearing this matter broached, Pilgrim rose and
Pilgrim gets drew near to the group; for he felt no little where le hear the talk. desire to hear what could be said on euch a subject. Mr. Table Grumbler said he had seen some school advertisements in the newspapers, but he guessed the mas- ters pretty soon got all starved out. He, for his part, would'nt teach school, and then have to take up with such Table Grumbler living as they had :- sour bread, salt meat,
on schools and churches.
potatoes, and awful pies, of stewed dried apple, with cores in. As to churches, he never could tell one from a smith's shop ; and when he did, he only looked in at the window, and never would throw away his cigar for
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THIE CALIFORNIA PILGRIM.
the sake of going inside. Mr. Quibble Sharp, the lawyer Quibble Sharp with old claims, said he thought there were comments on the churches enough, in all conscience, such as same.
they were. HIe had been to several to hunt clients, and look out for his men ; but the minister always seemed to be down on him, and he had often left before the sermon was through. Mr. Parsnip Snicks observed that he went the rounds, and always left just as soon as the sermon was done ; the last singing, etc., were apt to be tedious.
Mr. Bombastes Ghee said, for his part, he never went to Mr. Ghee has such assemblies. HIe patronized the theater, his say on the
subject. and opera, and other places, (saloons per- haps) where they had good music. He admired beauty and the arts. And besides, he had heard it said that they sold tickets at the churches, just as the theaters did; and that one could'nt have a good seat without a box price. He could'nt see what churches wanted money for; nor much use in having them any how. He was a man of the world, and wanted to enjoy himself. As long as churches run opposition to theaters, he should take care not to counte- nance them with his preference. He should take pains to keep them down-he should.
Mr. Vanity Fripp said he rather liked to go to church, Mr. Fripp de- particularly of a fine day, when there were a fines his position good many out. A friend of his kept a pew ; and, for his part, it was rather pleasant than otherwise to give his dollar now and then (the minister looked so thin, pale, and the house so shabby) although he did sometimes get a pretty severe lecture. He had seen a good deal of the theater, and he did not entertain a very high opinion of its civilizing power ; and he should not be sorry if there were a good many more churches in California where the
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ministers hit some of his neighbors hard. He thought they endured hard hits quite too well, as yet, and more of the same sort would be an advantage to them.
At this stage of the conversation Mr. Fair Mind, who Mr. Fairmind had kept silence heretofore, and stood in delivers himself
of a speech. the background, came forward, and said that he had been in California from the very first, and had wit- nessed all the changes. He had heard men of every class make their observations. He believed the worst men had invariably the worst opinions of the country. Among pro- prietors and keepers of saloons, groggeries and brothels, Who thought it and their frequenters, it was a common say- "a hard old country." ing that . California was a hard old country." People of every sort, he said, were apt to judge of the whole very much by their own circumstances of prosperity or adversity,by the society they were in, and the people they were familiar with. And, consequently, you could Six men's pin- always get from six different men so many dif- ions and rone alike. ferent opinions about the country, its condi- tion, and prospects. He said he was not, technically, a pro- fessor of religion ; but he was a friend of religion, and he was never so glad as when churches sprang up in Califor- nia ; and he never helped them on so cheerfully in any other state, because he had never seen their value so thoroughly demonstrated before in his life. He doubted if there was a man of any candor, having correct information, who did not ascribe a vast influence for good to such churches as they had, and acknowledge the benefit of them. It might be necessary to except such persons as found the churches in the way of the particular sorts of business they were fol- lowing, As to the financial part, he said, it was sur- prising to see how cheaply churches and ministers were sus- -1
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tained in all the larger towns-as well as in the cities-in comparison with any other public institutions ; the compar- ison showing that it was in the ratio of less than one half. The met od of receiving a contribution, according to his liberality, from each worshiper, of a Sunday, was one dictated by the necessities of the case, .in order to prevent the whole burden from falling on the few who would be willing to subscribe by the quarter, or year. And there were few true hearted men in California who were either unable or unwilling to pay a reasonable sum for the instruc- tion of a sermon, or for a sacred hour of worship. He lived
State of things in the country, where there were no churches; there. Mr. Fair- but when in the city on business, he was al- mind lived in
the country. ways at church and he could and would pay his part towards its support. He always felt better for it every- way ; and it was the misery of hundreds he knew, that they not only lost the benefit of the sermon, and the luxury of doing some good by a contribution, but that they made themselves wretched by spending, in dissipation, money that ought to go, and might go, to the support of religion, the maintenance of virtue, and the spread of good morals. A home thrust` As to the portly gentleman, and his sncer at Mr Bombastes Ghee about the churches selling tickets, any of the creditors of that gentleman, himself being unfortunately one, would be glad to furnish him a frec ticket to any, or all of the churches; and they would be particularly pleased if he, Mr. Bombastes Ghee, would appear less frequently at faro and monte, and even at the theater.
Now I saw in my dream, that as the good ship dashed onward, parting the crested waves, and tossing the foam from her prow, and the head lands of the Golden Gate were heaving in sight, Mr. Dismal, Mr. Supple Mind, Mr.
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THE CALIFORNIA PILGRIM.
Some interest- Double Deal, Mr. Free and Easy, and others ing gentlemen were remonstrating with Pilgrim on the sub- remon strate
with Pilgrim ject of his enterprise, and enumerating the difficulties he must certainly encounter ; predicting the fail- ure of his courage, and the final abandonment of the beau- tiful plan of his pilgrimage. They told him that some of themselves had been once of his mind ; that they went on shore with rules of good living, and even Pres. Edwards' resolutions in their pockets, and carrying packages of Bibles and Testaments. But they never, in truth, found any time or place in which it was convenient to make use of They have been them. In fact, they thought it was no coun- somewhat leaky vessels. try for such things. People were in the country to make money-how they could; and if they kept te their Bibles and holy resolutions, they would be forced to let alone the most profitable pursuits. Whatever others might pretend, people in California were all alike, going in for that which paid the best. Rumor said that some of the parsons were getting rich, but they could not tell whom ; nor see exactly how. At all events, they hoped Pilgrim would not waste his time on impracticable schemes. They would much like to have him go in with them into a Business propo- fine commercial speculation. His good char- sals are made to Pilgrim.
acter and past history would give the concern weight, and be of immense benefit to it; and, in a few months, they could each come out with handsome fortunes.
I saw that when Pilgrim shook his head, they began to
Te is pressed urge him, on the score of duty to himself and with arguments but declines. his many friends; and they told him how much wealth would enhance his influence, and how it would increase his facilities for doing good; and how many churches he could build; and that no one in California
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THE CALIFORNIA PILGRIM.
would think it out of character for even a pilgrim to make use of any such means of getting wealth and acquiring power. It was a great and fast country, and such men as he ought not to lose its splendid advantages!
Just then the boom of the cannon was heard, the steamer rounded to, the anchor dropped, and all was confusion, still more joyful than that which had prevailed the last hour.
MORAL.
Away from his permanent abode, and in mixed society, a christian is peculiarly exposed. New enticements present themselves, and old ones redouble their force. Even a lit- tle travel and a summer excursion prove too much for some, and their piety declines, though they do not fall into open sins. In other days the trip to the West Indies has upset many a man's equanimity ; if it has not brought him down from his rectitude. It should not, therefore, be deemed strange, if the habits and conduct of many undergo rapid transformations on the voyage to Aspinwall, and during the transit of the Isthmus. They are lured to indulgencies and excesses. The selfish instinct becomes more than ever dominant. Old ties are sundered. They feel neither checks nor restraints from without. A sense of lawlessness pervades them. They care not what it is they do, provided it excites and gratifies them. They lose the perception of others' rights-they cease to regard others' feelings. They are greedy and monopolizing. For self indulgence some prey upon their victims ; for killing time many engage in nothing but killing themselves. On the voyage up the Pa- cific coast, men's habits and intimacies place their lives- to say nothing of their morals -- in far greater peril than do the storms that visit them.
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Amid the transitions of the journey the real character will often come out distinctly, and present a striking con- trast to the seeming one of former days. The no-princi- pled and the rotten-hearted quickly show what they are. Those who have little experience of men are duped and led astray. And all who lack matured opinions, fixed religious principles, and well settled aims and purposes, suffer dete- rioration. A man is rubbed and squeezed. The attrition and the pressure are severe. If he be true metal he comes out unharmed. He may show better. The man, then, who is truly a christian will land in California as he left New York. He will be tempted, persuaded, tried, and be- set. But he will nevertheless pursue a straight, manly course, and continue pure in feeling and humanein conduct. If he endures the voyage well, we can scarcely have any further apprehensions concerning his moral integrity.
LECTURE III.
Now I saw in my dream that when the ponderous anchor dropped, and the huge leviathan of the sea swung around with the inrushing tide, that Pilgrim, having no special friends to look for, and none of the baggage of this world to Pilgrim gets out of the way of the crowd and looks on the scene. give him trouble, retired to the ship's upper works, to calm his feelings and quiet his mind amid all the confusion, and to get a glimpse of the strange land to which he was come. But although he was no longer trodden on, nor jostled by the crowd, he was not very far removed from it, nor beyond its influence. He thought he had never looked on such a medley, nor witnessed so lively a scene, nor heard such a din before in his life. The bay was covered with luggage and passenger boats ; and the men in them were all looking one way, rowing another, and hallooing a third. Every oarsman took special pains to spatter and besprinkle the passengers in the next craft, who had their new garments on for going ashore. The boatmen and some of the passengers cursed and swore so loudly, that the volume of sound rose above the roar of the escaping steam; and he looked to see if none of them wore the badge of the billingsgate men in the city of Doomsend.
.
1
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As the day wore on, I saw that the small craft, and the crowd diminished ; and then Pilgrim could hear from the saloons below shouts of mirth and revelry. For old cronies, whose business was pretty much confined to the night, were What went on met again, and they were drinking bumpers awhile below.
and toasting one another, the officers, and such as they could get to join them. The sounds and words that filled the air could not but remind him of the seends he once witnessed in a place called the "High Old HIole " in the corporation of Swindleboro, in his native provinec. He had well nigh ceased to think of these things, so much was he occupied in admiring the heights, forests of shipping, and the long crowded wharves, when suddenly clouds of dust were borne far out on the waters; the waves began to roll, the masts and chains to rub and creak, and new commotion to begin. The mists eame chilling and The fog comes drenching ; the spars all turned into north
on. Ile retreats poles ; every object was soon out of view, and he was obliged to retreat from his post of observation ; though in doing so, he had like to have lost his venerable pilgrim's hat.
Scarcely had he wrapped himself in his cloak ere he heard a voice, clear and ringing, shout, "ship ahoy ! Jack Jack Steady and Steady's boat once more ! Any body for the his boat. shore, come on !" Pilgrim went down to him with his satchel and his guide book in his hand, and asked him if there was no danger on account of the fog. Jack Steady said he knew the way by the feel of his oars ; and there was no fog in those waters so dangerous as that which took to the brain ; and as he was not troubled that way, he could take hin safely to land.
So Pilgrim scated himself in Jack Steady's boat, face to
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Pilgrim starts for face with the stout rower, who carried indeed shore. a most honest countenance, with no trace in it of deep potations. The two were mutually pleased with one another's looks and words; and by the time they reached the shore were fast friends. Moreover, when Jack Steady learned who Pilgrim was, and what he wished to do, he promised to introduce him at once to some persons who would give him a joyful welcome. IIe was as good as his word. For, so soon as they were come to the landing, they found there in the crowd Mr. Keep Faith, Mr. True Heart, The men whom Rev. Mr. Search, a short man in spectacles, he met on the wharf. and Rev. Father Hightone, the sailor's man ; all of whom had been a long time in the city, and were familiar with the whole history of so renowned a place as San Fastopolis.
Jack Steady introduced Pilgrim to them in a cordial though
More about Jack hurried manner ; and while they were exchang- Steady.
ing greetings, Jack slipped quietly away, so as not to give the pilgrim a chance to offer him any money ; for he felt that he was well enough to do in the world, and it grieved him to have poor people offer him money. At first Pilgrim had a mind to be troubled about the matter ; but when True Heart told him that Jack got a good share of passengers who did pay, and always returned to fetch away any poor or sick ones that might be lingering on board, with none to care for them, and did all without charge, he became reconciled; and his heart, too, was very glad; and the tears glistened in his eyes. For, from what had been told him about the land of gold-its selfishness, mean- ness, and cruelty-he did not look for such a man as Jack Steady to meet him at the very first; though he well knew
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THIE CALIFORNIA PILGRIM.
how often Nature's noblemen went in sailor's garb, the world over.
The fog now came down thicker and colder; and Pilgrim Pilgrim is taken was given in charge to Father Hightone, for in charge by
Hightone. the time ; since his place of abode was hard by the place where they were standing. So he bade the rest good-day, having received from them a promise that on the morrow they would show him what was famous and peculiar in the great city, and assist him in his observations.
During the evening Pilg im was highly entertained by Father Hightone's account of his manner of
How the even- ing is spent, and
the Pilgrim is entertained. life, and course of action, in the days when San Fastopolis was much younger, and vice was more open, and churches were fewer, and the whole popu- ation was male, and was herded together, by day and by night, in huge rooms, eating at racks, and lying on floors and in dirt, almost as comfortably as castern cattle; but in general not quite as soberly nor as quietly. He was told of those times when the whole flat was mud at ebb tide ; when the streets ran mud ; when walls and floors were of mud; and half the population was muddied outside, and muldled inside as often as night came ; and one of the main distinc- tions, in certain circles, was between the black-muds and the red-muds.
The city then and previously had Alcaldes and Ayunta-
The city in those mientos numerous; all hard at work to make early days, and the people's hab- grants of land to needy friends. Socially they its.
had " hounds " and "regulators. " These were men who had had, at times, honied words of flattery and commendation poured into their cars by persons of high standing in the community ; but after trying to regulate others, they had so much difficulty in governing themselves,
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that several of them got hanged and the rest were suddenly missing. One of the peculiarities of these "hounds" was, that, while they had no difficulty in following up any other animals, they always lost the trail when put on the scent of a " blackleg." In that particular, Mr. Hightone said, he thought some of their recent policemen had been too much like them.
When they had finished these themes, and had had some talk of the early meetings, and of the old, dark, dingy school house, and of the first preacher there, they sang the hymn
"Glory to thee, my God, this night,"
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