SIDEWALKINGS
　　ThetimeoccupiedinwalkingtoandfrommybusinessIhavealwaysfoundtoyieldmeacertainmentalenjoymentwhichnootherpartofthetwenty-fourhourscouldgive。Perhapsthephysicalexercisemayhaveactedasagentlestimulantofthebrain，butmoreprobablythecomfortableconsciousnessthatIcouldnotreasonablybeexpectedtobedoinganythingelse——tobestudyingorimprovingmymind，forinstance——alwaysgaveajoyouslibertytomyfancy。I
　　oncethoughtitnecessarytoemploythisintervalindoingsumsinarithmetic，——inwhichusefulstudyIwasandstillamlamentablydeficient，——butafteroneortwoattemptsatperipateticcomputation，Igaveitup。Iamsatisfiedthatmuchenjoymentislosttotheworldbythisnervousanxietytoimproveourleisuremoments，which，likethe"shininghours"ofDr。Watts，unfortunatelyofferthegreatestfacilitiesforidlepleasure。Ifeelaprofoundpityforthosemisguidedbeingswhoarestillimpelledtocarrytext-bookswiththemincars，omnibuses，andferry-boats，andwhogenerallymanagetodefraudthemselvesofthoseintervalsofresttheymostrequire。Naturemusthaveherfallowmoments，whenshecoversherexhaustedfieldswithflowersinsteadofgrain。Denyherthis，andthenextcropsuffersforit。Iofferthisaxiomassomeapologyforobtrudinguponthereaderafewofthespeculationswhichhaveengagedmymindduringthesedailyperambulations。
　　FewCaliforniansknowhowtoloungegracefully。Businesshabits，andadeferencetothecustom，evenwiththosewhohavenobusiness，giveanairofrestlessanxietytoeverypedestrian。Theexceptionstothisruleareapttogototheotherextreme，andwearadefiant，obtrusivekindofindolencewhichsuggestsquiteasmuchinwarddisquietandunrest。Theshiftlesslassitudeofagamblercanneverbemistakenfortheloungeofagentleman。EventhebrokerswholoiteruponMontgomeryStreetathighnoonarenotloungers。Lookatthemcloselyandyouwillseeafeverishnessandanxietyunderthemaskoflistlessness。Theydonotlounge——theylieinwait。Nosurersign，Iimagine，ofourpeculiarcivilizationcanbefoundthanthislackofreposeinitsconstituentelements。
　　YoucannotkeepCaliforniansquietevenintheiramusements。Theydodgeinandoutofthetheatre，opera，andlecture-room；theypreferthestreetcarstowalkingbecausetheythinktheygetalongfaster。ThedifferenceoflocomotionbetweenBroadway，NewYork，andMontgomeryStreet，SanFrancisco，isacomparativeviewofEasternandWesterncivilization。
　　Thereisahabitpeculiartomanywalkers，whichPunch，someyearsago，toucheduponsatirically，butwhichseemstohavesurvivedthejester’sridicule。Itisthatcustomofstoppingfriendsinthestreet，towhomwehavenothingwhatevertocommunicate，butwhomweembarrassfornootherpurposethansimplytoshowourfriendship。JonesmeetshisfriendSmith，whomhehasmetinnearlythesamelocalitybutafewhoursbefore。Duringthatinterval，itishighlyprobablethatnoeventofanyimportancetoSmith，norindeedtoJones，whichbyafriendlyconstructionJonescouldimagineSmithtobeinterestedin，hasoccurred，orislikelytooccur。Yetbothgentlemenstopandshakehandsearnestly。
　　"Well，howgoesit？"remarksSmithwithavaguehopethatsomethingmayhavehappened。"Soso，"repliestheeloquentJones，feelingintuitivelythedeepvacuityofhisfriendansweringtohisown。A
　　pauseensues，inwhichbothgentlemenregardeachotherwithanimbecilesmileandaferventpressureofthehand。Smithdrawsalongbreathandlooksupthestreet；Jonessighsheavilyandgazesdownthestreet。Anotherpause，inwhichbothgentlemendisengagetheirrespectivehandsandglanceanxiouslyaroundforsomeconventionalavenueofescape。Finally，Smith（withasuddenassumptionofhavingforgottenanimportantengagement）ejaculates，"Well，Imustbeoff"——aremarkinstantlyechoedbythevolubleJones，andthesegentlemenseparate，onlytorepeattheirmiserableformulathenextday。IntheaboveexampleIhavecompassionatelyshortenedtheusualleave-taking，which，inskilfulhands，maybeprotractedtoalengthwhichIshuddertorecall。Ihavesometimes，whenanactiveparticipantintheseatrocioustransactions，lingeredinthehopeofsayingsomethingnaturaltomyfriend（feelingthathe，too，wasgropinginthemazylabyrinthsofhismindforalikeexpression），untilIhavefeltthatweoughttohavebeenseparatedbyapoliceman。Itisastonishinghowfarthemostwretchedjokewillgointheseemergencies，andhowitwill，asitwere，convulsivelydetachthetwocoheringparticles。Ihavelaughed（albeithysterically）atsomewitticismundercoverofwhichI
　　escaped，thatfiveminutesafterwardIcouldnotperceivepossessedagrainofhumor。Iwouldadviseanypersonwhomayfallintothispitiablestrait，that，nexttogettinginthewayofapassingdrayandbeingforciblydisconnected，ajokeisthemostefficacious。A
　　foreignphraseoftenmaybetriedwithsuccess；IhavesometimesknownAurevoirpronounced"O-reveer，"tohavetheeffect（asitought）ofseveringfriends。
　　Butthisisaharmlesshabitcomparedtoacertainreprehensiblepracticeinwhichsundryfeeble-mindedyoungmenindulge。Ihavebeenstoppedinthestreetandenthusiasticallyaccostedbysomefashionableyoungman，whohasengagedmeinanimatedconversation，until（quiteaccidentally）acertainyoungbellewouldpass，whommyfriend，ofcourse，saluted。As，byastrangecoincidence，thisoccurredseveraltimesinthecourseoftheweek，andasmyyoungfriend’sconversationalpowersinvariablyflaggedaftertheladyhadpassed，Iamforcedtobelievethatthedeceitfulyoungwretchactuallyusedmeasaconventionalbackgroundtodisplaythegracesofhisfiguretothepassingfair。WhenIdetectedthetrick，ofcourseImadeapointofkeepingmyfriend，bystrategicmovements，withhisbacktowardtheyounglady，whileIbowedtohermyself。
　　Sincethen，Iunderstandthatitisaregularcustomofthesecallowyouthstoencountereachother，withsimulatedcordiality，somepacesinfrontoftheyoungladytheywishtorecognize，sothatshecannotpossiblycutthem。ThecornerofCaliforniaandMontgomerystreetsistheirfavoritehaunt。Theymaybeeasilydetectedbytheirfurtiveexpressionofeye，whichbetraysthemevenintheheightoftheirapparententhusiasm。
　　Speakingofeyes，youcangenerallysettletheaveragegentilityandgoodbreedingofthepeopleyoumeetinthestreetbythemannerinwhichtheyreturnorevadeyourglance。"Agentleman，"
　　astheAutocrathaswiselysaid，isalways"calm-eyed。"Thereisjustenoughabstractioninhislooktodenotehisindividualpowerandthecapacityforself-contemplation，whileheis，nevertheless，quietlyandunobtrusivelyobservant。Hedoesnotseek，neitherdoesheevadeyourobservation。Snobsandprigsdothefirst；
　　bashfulandmeanpeopledothesecond。Therearesomemenwho，onmeetingyoureye，immediatelyassumeanexpressionquitedifferentfromtheonewhichtheypreviouslywore，which，whetheranimprovementornot，suggestsadisagreeableself-consciousness。
　　Perhapstheyfancytheyarebetrayingsomething。Thereareotherswhoreturnyourlookwithunnecessarydefiance，whichsuggestsalikeconcealment。Thesymptomsoftheeyearegenerallyborneoutinthefigure。Amanisveryapttobetrayhischaracterbythemannerinwhichheappropriateshispartofthesidewalk。Themanwhoresolutelykeepsthemiddleofthepavement，anddeliberatelybrushesagainstyou，youmaybecertainwouldtakethelastpieceofpieatthehoteltable，andemptythecream-jugonitswaytoyourcup。Themanwhosidlesbyyou，keepingclosetothehouses，andselectingtheeasiestplanks，managestoslipthroughlifeinsomesuchway，andtoevadeitssternestduties。Theawkwardman，whogetsinyourway，andthrowsyoubackuponthemanbehindyou，andsomanagestoderangetheharmoniousprocessionofanentireblock，isveryapttodothesamethinginpoliticalandsocialeconomy。Theinquisitiveman，whodeliberatelyshortenshispace，sothathemayparticipateintheconfidenceyouimparttoyourcompanion，hasaneyenotunfamiliartokeyholes，andprobablyopenshiswife’sletters。Theloudman，whotalkswiththeintentionofbeingoverheard，isthesameegotistelsewhere。IftherewasanyjusticeinIago’ssneer，thatthereweresome"soweakofsoulthatintheirsleeptheymuttertheiraffairs，"whatshallbesaidofthewalkingrevery-babblers？Ihavemetmenwhowereevidentlyrollingover，"likeasweetmorselunderthetongue，"somespeechtheywereabouttomake，andotherswhowereframingcurses。Irememberoncethat，whilewalkingbehindanapparentlyrespectableoldgentleman，hesuddenlyutteredtheexclamation，"Well，I’md————d！"andthenquietlyresumedhisusualmanner。Whetherhehadatthatmomentbecomeimpressedwithatrulyorthodoxdisbeliefinhisultimatesalvation，orwhetherhewassimplyindignant，Inevercouldtell。
　　Ihavebeenhesitatingforsometimetospeak——orifindeedtospeakatall——ofthatlovelyandcritic-defyingsex，whosebrighteyesandvolubleprattlehavenotbeenwithouteffectintemperingtheausteritiesofmyperipateticmusing。IhavebeenhumblythankfulthatIhavebeenpermittedtoviewtheirbrightdressesandthosecharmingbonnetswhichseemtohavebroughtthebirdsandflowersofspringwithinthedrearylimitsofthetown，and——I
　　trustIshallnotbedeemedunkindinsayingit——mypleasurewasnotlessenedbythereflectionthatthedisplay，tomeatleast，wasinexpensive。Ihavewalkedin——andIfearoccasionallyon——thetrainoftheloveliestofhersexwhohasprecededme。IfIhavesometimeswonderedwhytwoyoungladiesalwaysbegantotalkvivaciouslyontheapproachofanygood-lookingfellow；ifIhavewonderedwhethertheminor-likequalitiesofalllargeshow-windowsatallinfluencedtheircuriosityregardingsilksandcalicoes；ifIhaveeverentertainedthesameungentlemanlythoughtconcerningdaguerreotypeshow-cases；ifIhaveevermisinterpretedtheeye-
　　shotwhichhaspassedbetweentwoprettywomen——moresearching，exhaustiveandsincerethananyofourfeebleogles；ifIhaveevercommittedtheseoranyotherimpertinences，itwasonlytoretirebeatenanddiscomfited，andtoconfessthatmasculinephilosophy，whileitsoarsbeyondSiriusandtheringofSaturn，stopsshortatthesteelperipherywhichencompassesthesimplestschool-girl。
　　ABOYS’DOG
　　AsIliftmyeyesfromthepaper，Iobserveadoglyingonthestepsoftheoppositehouse。Hisattitudemightinducepassers-byandcasualobserverstobelievehimtobelongtothepeoplewholivethere，andtoaccordtohimacertainstandingposition。I
　　haveseenvisitorspathim，undertheimpressionthattheyweredoinganactofcourtesytohismaster，helendinghimselftothefraudbyhypocriticalcontortionsofthebody。Buthisattitudeisoneofdeceitandsimulation。Hehasneithermasternorhabitation。
　　HeisaveryPariahandoutcast；inbrief，"ABoys’Dog。"
　　Thereisadegreeofhopelessandirreclaimablevagabondageexpressedinthisepithet，whichmaynotbegenerallyunderstood。
　　Onlythosewhoarefamiliarwiththerovingnatureandpredatoryinstinctsofboysinlargecitieswillappreciateitsstrength。Itistheloweststepinthesocialscaletowhicharespectablecaninecandescend。Ablindman’sdog，orthecompanionofaknife-grinder，iscomparativelyelevated。Heatleastowesallegiancetobutonemaster。ButtheBoys’Dogisthethrallofanentirejuvenilecommunity，obedienttothebeckandcallofthesmallestimpintheneighborhood，attachedtoandservingnottheindividualboysomuchastheboyelementandprinciple。Intheiractivesports，insmallthefts，raidsintoback-yards，window-
　　breaking，andotherminorjuvenilerecreations，heisafullparticipant。Inthiswayheisthereflectionofthewickednessofmanymasters，withoutpossessingthevirtuesorpeculiaritiesofanyparticularone。
　　Ifleadinga"dog’slife"beconsideredapeculiarphaseofhumanmisery，thelifeofaBoys’Dogisstillmoreinfelicitous。Heisassociatedinallschemesofwrong-doing，andunlesshebeadogofexperienceisalwaysthescapegoat。Heneversharesthebootyofhisassociates。Inabsenceoflegitimateamusement，heisconsideredfairgameforhiscompanions；andIhaveseenhimreducedtotheignominyofhavingatinkettletiedtohistail。
　　Hisearsandtailhavegenerallybeendockedtosuitthecapriceoftheunholybandofwhichheisamember；andifhehasanyspunk，heisinvariablypittedagainstlargerdogsinmortalcombat。Heispoorlyfedandhourlyabused；thereputationofhisassociatesdebarshimfromoutsidesympathies；andonceaBoys’Dog，hecannotchangehiscondition。Heisnotunfrequentlysoldintoslaverybyhisinhumancompanions。Irememberoncetohavebeenaccostedonmyowndoorstepsbyacoupleofprecociousyouths，whoofferedtosellmeadogwhichtheywerethenleadingbyarope。Thepricewasextremelymoderate，being，ifIrememberrightly，butfiftycents。Imaginingtheunfortunateanimaltohavelatelyfallenintotheirwickedhands，andanxioustoreclaimhimfromthedegradationofbecomingaBoys’Dog，Iwasabouttoconcludethebargain，whenIsawalookofintelligencepassbetweenthedogandhistwomasters。Ipromptlystoppedallnegotiation，anddrovetheyouthfulswindlersandtheirfour-footedaccomplicefrommypresence。Thewholethingwasperfectlyplain。Thedogwasanold，experienced，andhardenedBoys’Dog，andIwasperfectlysatisfiedthathewouldrunawayandrejoinhisoldcompanionsatthefirstopportunity。ThisIafterwardslearnedhedid，ontheoccasionofakind-heartedbutunsophisticatedneighborbuyinghim；
　　andafewdaysagoIsawhimexposedforsalebythosetwoArcadians，inanotherneighborhood，havingbeenboughtandpaidforhalfadozentimesinthis。
　　But，itwillbeasked，ifthelifeofaBoys’Dogissounhappy，whydotheyenteruponsuchanunenviablesituation，andwhydotheynotdissolvethepartnershipwhenitbecomesunpleasant？I
　　willconfessthatIhavebeenoftenpuzzledbythisquestion。ForsometimeIcouldnotmakeupmymindwhethertheirunholyalliancewastheresultoftheinfluenceofthedogontheboy，orviceversa，andwhichwastheweakestandmostimpressiblenature。Iamsatisfiednowthat，atfirst，thedogisundoubtedlyinfluencedbytheboy，and，asitwere，isled，whileyetapuppy，fromthepathsofcaninerectitudebyartfulanddesigningboys。AshegrowsolderandmoreexperiencedinthewaysofhisBohemianfriends，hebecomesawillingdecoy，andtakesdelightinleadingboyishinnocenceastray，inbeguilingchildrentoplaytruant，andthusrevengeshisowndegradationontheboynaturegenerally。Itisinthisrelation，andinregardtocertainunhallowedpracticesIhavedetectedhimin，thatIdeemitpropertoexposetoparentsandguardiansthedangertowhichtheiroffspringisexposedbytheBoys’Dog。
　　TheBoys’Doglayshisplansartfully。Hebeginstoinfluencetheyouthfulmindbysuggestionsofunrestrainedfreedomandfrolicwhichheoffersinhisownperson。Hewilllieinwaitatthegardengateforaverysmallboy，andendeavortolurehimoutsideitssacredprecincts，bygambollingandjumpingalittlebeyondtheinclosure。Hewillsetoffonanimaginarychaseandrunaroundtheblockinaperfectlyfranticmanner，andthenreturn，breathless，tohisformerposition，withalookasofonewhowouldsay，"There，youseehowperfectlyeasyit’sdone！"Shouldtheunhappyinfantfinditdifficulttoresisttheeffectwhichthisglimpseoftheareaoffreedomproduces，andstepbeyondthegate，fromthatmomentheisutterlydemoralized。TheBoys’Dogownshimbodyandsoul。StraightwayheisledbythedeceitfulbruteintotheunhallowedcircleofhisBohemianmasters。Sometimestheunfortunateboy，ifhebeverysmall，turnsupeventuallyatthestation-houseasalostchild。WheneverImeetastrayboyinthestreetlookingutterlybewilderedandastonished，IgenerallyfindaBoys’Doglurkingonthecorner。WhenIreadtheadvertisementsoflostchildren，Ialwaysaddmentallytothedescription，"waslastseenincompanywithaBoys’Dog。"Norishisinfluencewhollyconfinedtosmallboys。Ihaveseenhimwaitingpatientlyforlargerboysonthewaytoschool，andbyartfulandsophisticalpracticesinducingthemtoplaytruant。Ihaveseenhimlyingattheschool-housedoor，withtheintentionofenticingthechildrenontheirwayhometodistantandremotelocalities。Hehasledmanyanunsuspectingboytothewharvesandquaysbyassumingthecharacterofawater-dog，whichhewasnot，andagainhasinducedotherstogowithhimonagunningexcursionbypretendingtobeasportingdog，inwhichqualityhewasknowinglydeficient。
　　Unscrupulous，hypocritical，anddeceitful，hehaswonmanychildren’sheartsbyansweringtoanynametheymightcallhim，attachinghimselftotheirpersonsuntiltheygotintotrouble，anddesertingthemattheverymomenttheymostneededhisassistance。
　　Ihaveseenhimrobsmallschool-boysoftheirdinnersbypretendingtoknockthemdownbyaccident；andhaveseenlargerboysinturndispossesshimofhisill-gottenbootyfortheirownprivategratification。Frombeingatool，hehasgrowntobeanaccomplice；throughmuchimposition，hehaslearnedtoimposeonothers；inhisbestcharacter，heissimplyavagabond’svagabond。
　　Icouldfinditinmyhearttopityhim，asheliestherethroughthelongsummerafternoon，enjoyingbriefintervalsoftranquillityandrestwhichhesurreptitiouslysnatchesfromastranger’sdoorstep。Forashrillwhistleisheardinthestreets，theboysarecominghomefromschool，andheisstartledfromhisdreamsbyadeftlythrownpotato，whichhitshimonthehead，andawakenshimtothesternrealitythatheisnowandforever——aBoys’Dog。
　　CHARITABLEREMINISCENCES
　　AsthenewBenevolentAssociationhashadtheeffectofwithdrawingbeggarsfromthestreets，andasProfessionalMendicancybidsfairtobepresentlyrankedwiththeLostArts，topreservesomerecordsofthisnoblebranchofindustry，IhaveendeavoredtorecallcertaintraitsandpeculiaritiesofindividualmembersoftheorderwhomIhaveknown，andwhoseformsInowmissfromtheiraccustomedhaunts。Insodoing，IconfesstofeelingacertainregretatthisdecayofProfessionalBegging，forIholdthetheorythatmankindarebetteredbytheoccasionalspectacleofmisery，whethersimulatedornot，onthesameprinciplethatoursympathiesareenlargedbythefictitiouswoesoftheDrama，thoughweknowthattheactorsareinsincere。PerhapsIamindiscreetinsayingthatI
　　haverewardedtheartfullydressedandwell-actedperformanceofthebeggingimpostorthroughthesameimpulsethatimpelledmetoexpendadollarinwitnessingthecounterfeitedsorrowsofpoor"Triplet，"asrepresentedbyCharlesWheatleigh。Ididnotquarrelwithdeceitineithercase。Mycoinwasgiveninrecognitionofthesentiment；themoralresponsibilityrestedwiththeperformer。
　　TheprincipalfigurethatInowmournoveraslostforeverisonethatmayhavebeenfamiliartomanyofmyreaders。Itwasthatofadark-complexioned，black-eyed，foreign-lookingwoman，whosupportedinherarmsasicklybaby。Asapathologicalphenomenonthebabywasespeciallyinteresting，havingpresentedtheHippocraticfaceandothersymptomsofimmediatedissolution，withoutchange，forthepastthreeyears。Thewomanneververballysolicitedalms。Herappearancewasalwaysmute，mysterious，andsudden。Shemadenootherappealthanthatwhichthedramatictableauofherselfandbabysuggested，withanoutstretchedhandanddeprecatingeyesometimessuperadded。Sheusuallystoodinmydoorway，silentandpatient，intimatingherpresence，ifmyattentionwerepreoccupied，byaslightcoughfromherbaby，whomI
　　shallalwaysbelievehaditsparttoplayinthislittlepantomime，andgenerallyobeyedasecretsignalfromthematernalhand。Itwasuselessformetorefusealms，topleadbusiness，oraffectinattention。Shenevermoved；herpositionwasalwaystakenwithanappearanceoflatentcapabilitiesofenduranceandexperienceinwaitingwhichneverfailedtoimpressmewithaweandthefutilityofanyhopeofescape。Therewasalsosomethinginthereproachfulexpressionofhereyewhichplainlysaidtome，asIbentovermypaper，"Goonwithyourmocksentimentalitiesandsimulatedpathos；
　　portraytheimaginarysufferingsofyourbodilesscreations，spreadyourthinwebofphilosophy，butlookyou，sir，hereisrealmisery！Hereisgenuinesuffering！"Iconfessthatthisartfulsuggestionusuallybroughtmedown。InthreeminutesaftershehadthusinvestedthecitadelIusuallysurrenderedatdiscretion，withoutagunhavingbeenfiredoneitherside。Shereceivedmyofferingandretiredasmutelyandmysteriouslyasshehadappeared。Perhapsitwaswellformethatshedidnotknowherstrength。Imighthavebeenforced，hadthisterriblewomanbeenconsciousofherrealpower，tohaveborrowedmoneywhichIcouldnotpay，orhaveforgedachecktopurchaseimmunityfromherawfulpresence。IhardlyknowifImakemyselfunderstood，andyetIamunabletodefinemymeaningmoreclearlywhenIsaythattherewassomethinginherglancewhichsuggestedtothepersonappealedto，wheninthepresenceofothers，acertainideaofsomeindividualresponsibilityforhersufferings，which，whileitneverfailedtoaffecthimwithamingledsenseofludicrousnessandterror，alwaysmadeanimpressionofunqualifiedgravityonthemindsofthebystanders。Asshehasdisappearedwithinthelastmonth，I
　　imaginethatshehasfoundahomeattheSanFranciscoBenevolentAssociation，——atleast，Icannotconceiveofanycharity，howeverguardedbywholesomechecksorsharp-eyedalmoners，thatcouldresistthatmuteapparition。Ishouldliketogothereandinquireabouther，andalsolearnifthebabywasconvalescentordead，butIamsatisfiedthatshewouldriseup，amuteandreproachfulappeal，sopersonalinitsartfulsuggestions，thatitwouldendintheAssociationinstantlytransferringhertomyhands。
　　Mynextfamiliarmendicantwasavenderofprintedballads。Theseeffusionsweresostale，atrocious，andunsalableintheircharacter，thatitwaseasytodetectthathypocrisy，which——inimitationofmoreambitiousbeggary——veiledtherealeleemosynaryappealunderthethinpretextofofferinganequivalent。Thisbeggar——anagedfemaleinarustybonnet——Iunconsciouslyprecipitateduponmyselfinanevilmoment。Onourfirstmeeting，whiledistractedlyturningovertheballads，Icameuponacertainproductionentitled，Ithink，"TheFireZouave，"andwasstruckwiththetrulypatrioticandAmericanmannerinwhich"Zouave"wasmadetorhymeindifferentstanzaswith"grave，brave，save，andglaive。"AsIpurchaseditatonce，withagratifiedexpressionofcountenance，itsoonbecameevidentthattheactwasmisconstruedbymypoorfriend，whofromthatmomentneverceasedtohauntme。
　　Perhapsinthewholecourseofherprecariousexistenceshehadneverbeforesoldaballad。Mysolitarypurchaseevidentlymademe，inhereyes，acustomer，andinameasureexaltedhervocation；
　　sothereaftersheregularlyusedtolookinatmydoor，withachirping，confidentair，andthequestion，"Anymoresongsto-day？"
　　asthoughitweresomenecessaryarticleofdailyconsumption。I
　　nevertookanymoreofhersongs，althoughthatcircumstancedidnotshakeherfaithinmyliterarytaste；myabstinencefromthisexcitingmentalpabulumbeingprobablyascribedtocharitablemotives。ShewasfinallyabsorbedbytheS。F。B。A。，whohaveprobablymadeaproperdispositionofhereffects。Shewasalittleoldwoman，ofCelticorigin，predisposedtomelancholy，andlookingasifshehadreadmostofherballads。
　　Mynextreminiscencetakestheshapeofaveryseedyindividual，whohad，forthreeorfouryears，beenvainlyattemptingtogetbacktohisrelativesinIllinois，wheresympathizingfriendsandacomfortablealmshouseawaitedhim。Onlyafewdollars，heinformedme，——theuncontributedremainderoftheamountnecessarytopurchaseasteerageticket，——stoodinhisway。Theselastfewdollarsseemtohavebeenmostdifficulttoget，andhehadwanderedabout，asortofantitheticalFlyingDutchman，foreverputtingtosea，yetnevergettingawayfromshore。Hewasa"49-er，"andhadrecentlybeenblownupinatunnel，orhadfallendownashaft，Iforgetwhich。Thissadaccidentobligedhimtouselargequantitiesofwhiskeyasaliniment，which，heinformedme，occasionedthemildfragrancewhichhisgarmentsexhaled。Thoughbelongingtothesameclass，hewasnottobeconfoundedwiththeunfortunateminerwhocouldnotgetbacktohisclaimwithoutpecuniaryassistance，orthedesolateItalian，whohopelesslyhandedyouadocumentinaforeignlanguage，verymuchbethumbedandillegible，——which，inyourignoranceofthetongue，youcouldn’thelpsuspiciouslyfeelingmighthavebeenapricecurrent，butwhichyoucouldseewasprofferedasanexcuseforalms。
　　Indeed，wheneveranystrangerhandedme，withoutspeaking，anopendocument，whichborethemarksofhavingbeencarriedinthegreasyliningofahat，Ialwaysfeltsafeingivinghimaquarteranddismissinghimwithoutfurtherquestioning。Ialwaysnoticedthatthesecircularletters，whenwritteninthevernacular，wereremarkablefortheirbeautifulcaligraphyandgrammaticalinaccuracy，andthattheyallseemtohavebeenwrittenbythesamehand。Perhapsindigenceexercisesapeculiarandequaleffectuponthehandwriting。
　　Irecallafewoccasionalmendicantswhosefaceswerelessfamiliar。OneafternoonamostextraordinaryIrishman，withablackeye，abruisedhat，andothertracesofpastenjoyment，waiteduponmewithapitifulstoryofdestitutionandwant，andconcludedbyrequestingtheusualtrifle。Ireplied，withsomeseverity，thatifIgavehimadimehewouldprobablyspenditfordrink。"BeGorra！butyou’reroight——Iwadthat！"heansweredpromptly。IwassomuchtakenabackbythisunexpectedexhibitionoffranknessthatIinstantlyhandedoverthedime。ItseemsthatTruthhadsurvivedthewreckofhisothervirtues；hedidgetdrunk，and，impelledbyalikeconscientioussenseofduty，exhibitedhimselftomeinthatstateafewhoursafter，toshowthatmybountyhadnotbeenmisapplied。
　　Inspiteofthepeculiarcharactersofthesereminiscences，I
　　cannothelpfeelingacertainregretatthedecayofProfessionalMendicancy。Perhapsitmaybeowingtoalingeringtraceofthatyouthfulsuperstitionwhichsawinallbeggarsapossibleprinceorfairy，andinvestedtheircallingwithamysteriousawe。Perhapsitmaybefromabeliefthatthereissomethingintheold-
　　fashionedalms-givingsandactualcontactwithmiserythatiswholesomeforbothdonorandrecipient，andthatanysystemwhichinterposesathirdpartybetweenthemisonlyputtingonathickglove，which，whileitpreservesusfromcontagion，absorbsanddeadensthekindlypressureofourhand。Itisaverypleasantthingtopurchaserelieffromtheannoyanceandtroubleofhavingtoweightheclaimsofanafflictedneighbor。AsIturnovertheseprintedtickets，whichthecourtesyoftheSanFranciscoBenevolentAssociationhas——byaslightstretchoftheimaginationinsupposingthatanysaneunfortunatemightrashlyseekrelieffromanewspaperoffice——conveyedtotheseeditorialhands，Icannothelpwonderingwhether，wheninourlastextremitywecometodrawupontheImmeasurableBounty，itwillbenecessarytopresentaticket。
　　"SEEINGTHESTEAMEROFF"
　　Ihavesometimesthought，whilewatchingthedepartureofanEasternsteamer，thattheactofpartingfromfriends——sogenerallyoneofbitternessanddespondency——ismadebyaningeniousCaliforniancustomtoyieldapleasurableexcitement。Thisluxuryofleave-taking，inwhichmostCaliforniansindulge，isoftenprotractedtothehaulinginofthegang-plank。Thoselastwords，injunctions，promises，andembraces，whicharemournfulanddepressingperhapsinthatprivacydemandedonotheroccasions，arehere，byreasonoftheirverypublicity，ofanedifyingandexhilaratingcharacter。Apartingkiss，blownfromthedeckofasteamerintoamiscellaneouscrowd，ofcourselosesmuchofthatsacredsolemnitywithwhichfoolishsuperstitionisapttoinvestit。Abroadsideofendearingepithets，evenwhenproperlyaimedandapparentlyrakingthewholewharf，isapttobeimpotentandharmless。Ahusbandwhopreferstoembracehiswifeforthelasttimeatthedoorofherstateroom，andfindshimselfthecentreofanadmiringgroupofunconcernedspectators，ofcoursefeelshimselfliftedaboveanyfeelingsavethatofludicrousnesswhichthesituationsuggests。Themother，partingfromheroffspring，shouldbecomeaRomanmatronunderthelikeinfluences；theloverwhotakesleaveofhissweetheartisnotapttomarthegeneralhilaritybyanyemotionalfolly。Infact，thissystemofdelayingourpartingsentimentsuntilthelastmoment——thisremovalofdomesticsceneryandincidenttoapublictheatre——maybesaidtobeworthyofastoicalanddemocraticpeople，andisaneventinourliveswhichmaybesharedwiththehumblestcoal-passeroritinerantvenderoforanges。Itisareturntothatclassicout-
　　of-doorexperienceandminglingofpublicanddomesticeconomywhichsoennobledthestraight-nosedAthenian。
　　Souniversalisthisdesiretobepresentatthedepartureofanysteamerthat，asidefromtheregularcrowdofloungerswhomaketheirappearanceconfessedlyonlytolookon，thereareotherswhotakeadvantageoftheslightestintimacytogothroughtheleave-
　　takingformula。Peoplewhomyouhavequiteforgotten，peopletowhomyouhavebeenlatelyintroduced，suddenlyandunexpectedlymaketheirappearanceandwringyourhandswithfervor。Thefriend，longestranged，forgivesyounoblyatthelastmoment，totakeadvantageofthisgloriousopportunityof"seeingyouoff。"
　　Yourbootmaker，tailor，andhatter——haplywithnoulteriormotivesandunaccompaniedbyofficialfriends——visityouwithenthusiasm。
　　Youfindgreatdifficultyindetachingyourrelativesandacquaintancesfromthetrunksonwhichtheyresolutelyseatthemselves，uptothemomentwhenthepaddlesaremoving，andyouarehauntedcontinuallybyanill-definedideathattheymaybecarriedoff，andfoistedonyou——withthepaymentoftheirpassage，which，underthecircumstances，youcouldnotrefuse——fortherestofthevoyage。Yourfriendswillmaketheirappearanceatthemostinopportunemoments，andfromthemostunexpectedplaces，——danglingfromhawsers，climbinguppaddle-boxes，andcrawlingthroughcabinwindowsattheimminentperiloftheirlives。Youarenervousandcrushedbythisaddedweightofresponsibility。Shouldyoubeastranger，youwillfindanynumberofpeopleonboard，whowillcheerfullyandataventuretakeleaveofyouontheslightestadvancesmadeonyourpart。Afriendofmineassuresmethatheonceparted，withgreatenthusiasmandcordiality，fromapartyofgentlemen，tohimpersonallyunknown，whohadapparentlymistakenhisstate-room。Thisparty，——evidentlyconnectedwithsomefirecompany，——oncomparingnotesonthewharf，beingsomewhatdissatisfiedwiththeresultoftheirperformances，afterwardrenderedmyfriend’spositiononthehurricanedeckoneofextremeperilandinconvenience，byreasonofskilfullyprojectedorangesandapples，accompaniedwithsomeinvective。Yetthereiscertainlysomethingtointerestusintheexaminationofthatcheerlessdampcloset，whosepaintedwoodenwallsnofurnitureorcompanycanmakehabitable，whereinourfriendistospendsomanyvapiddaysandrestlessnights。Thesightoftheseapartments，ycleptSTATE-ROOMS，——Heavenknowswhy，exceptitbefromtheirwantofcosiness，——isfullofkeenreminiscencestomostCalifornianswhohavenotoutgrownthememoriesofthatdrearyintervalwhen，inobediencetonature’swisecompensations，homesicknesswasblottedoutbysea-sickness，andbothatlastresolvedintoachaoticanddistempereddream，whosedetailswenowrecognize。Thesteamerchairthatweusedtodragoutuponthenarrowstripofdeckanddozein，overthepagesofawell-thumbednovel；thedeckitself，ofafternoons，redolentwiththeskinsoforangesandbananas，ofmornings，dampwithsalt-waterandmopping；thenettedbulwark，smellingoftarinthetropics，andfrettedontheweathersidewithlittlesalinecrystals；thevillanouslycompoundedodorsofvictualsfromthepantry，andoilfromthemachinery；theyoungladythatweusedtoflirtwith，andwithwhomwesharedourlastnovel，adornedwithmarginalannotations；ourownchum；ourownbore；themanwhowasneversea-sick；thetwoeventsoftheday，breakfastanddinner，andthedrearyintervalbetween；thetremendousimportancegiver，totriflingeventsandtriflingpeople；theyoungladywhokeptajournal；thenewspaper，publishedonboard，filledwithmildpleasantriesandimpertinences，elsewhereunendurable；theyoungladywhosang；thewealthypassenger；thepopularpassenger；the——
　　[Letussitdownforamomentuntilthisqualmishness，whichtheseassociationsandsomeinfectiousqualityoftheatmosphereseemtoproduce，haspassedaway。Whatbecomesofoursteamerfriends？
　　Whyarewenowsoapatheticaboutthem？Whyisitthatwedriftawayfromthemsounconcernedly，forgettingeventheirnamesandfaces？Why，whenwedorememberthem，dowelookatthemsosuspiciously，withanundefinedideathat，intheunrestrainedfreedomofthevoyage，theybecamepossessedofsomeconfidenceandknowledgeofourweaknessesthatwenevershouldhaveimparted？
　　Didwemakeanysuchconfessions？Perishthethought。Thepopularman，however，isnotnowsopopular。Wehaveheardfinervoicesthanthatoftheyoungladywhosangsosweetly。Ourchum’sfascinatingqualities，somehow，havedeterioratedonland；sohavethoseofthefairyoungnovel-reader，nowthewifeofanhonestminerinVirginiaCity。]
　　——Thepassengerwhomadesomanytrips，andexhibitedarecklessfamiliaritywiththeofficers；theofficersthemselves，nowsomodestandundemonstrative，afewhourslatersoall-powerfulandimportant，——theseareamongthereminiscencesofmostCalifornians，andthesearetoberememberedamongtheexperiencesofourfriend。
　　Yethefeels，aswealldo，thathispastexperiencewillbeofprofittohim，andhasalreadytheconfidentairofanoldvoyager。
　　Asyoustandonthewharfagain，andlistentothecriesofitinerantfruitvenders，youwonderwhyitisthatgriefatpartingandtheunpleasantnoveltiesoftravelaresupposedtobeassuagedbyorangesandapples，evenatruinouslylowprices。Perhapsitmaybe，figuratively，thelastofferingofthefruitfulearth，asthepassengercommitshimselftothebosomofthesterileandunproductiveocean。Evenwhilethewheelsaremovingandthelinesarecastoff，somehardyapplemerchant，mountedonthetopofapile，concludesatradewithasteeragepassenger，——twentyfeetinterposingbetweenbuyerandseller，——andachieves，underthesedifficulties，thedeliveryofhiswares。Handkerchiefswave，hurriedordersminglewithpartingblessings，andthesteameris"off。"Asyouturnyourfacecityward，andglancehurriedlyaroundattheretreatingcrowd，youwillseeareflectionofyourownwistfulfaceintheirs，andreadthesolutionofoneoftheproblemswhichperplextheCaliforniaenthusiast。BeforeyouliesSanFrancisco，withherhardangularoutlines，herbrisk，invigoratingbreezes，herbright，butunsympatheticsunshine，herrestlessandenergeticpopulation；behindyoufadestherecollectionofchangeful，buthonestskies；ofextremesofheatandcold，modifiedandmadeenjoyablethroughsocialandphysicallaws，ofpastorallandscapes，ofaccessibleNatureinherkindliestforms，ofinheritedvirtues，oflong-testedcustomsandhabits，ofoldfriendsandoldfaces，——inawordofHOME！
　　NEIGHBORHOODSIHAVEMOVEDFROM
　　I。
　　Abay-windowoncesettledthechoiceofmyhouseandcompensatedformanyofitsinconveniences。Whenthechimneysmoked，orthedoorsalternatelyshrunkandswelled，resistinganyforcibleattempttoopenthem，oropeningofthemselveswithghostlydeliberation，orwhensuspiciousblotchesappearedontheceilinginrainyweather，therewasalwaysthebay-windowtoturntoforcomfort。Andtheviewwasafineone。Alcatraz，LimePoint，FortPoint，andSaucelitowereplainlyvisibleoverarestlessexpanseofwaterthatchangedcontinually，glitteringinthesunlight，darkeninginrockyshadow，orsweepinginmimicwavesonaminiaturebeachbelow。
　　Althoughatfirstthebay-windowwassupposedtobesacredtomyselfandmywritingmaterials，inobediencetosomeorganiclaw，itbyandbybecameagenerallounging-place。Arocking-chairandcrochetbasketonedayfoundtheirwaythere。Thenthebabyinvadeditsrecesses，fortifyinghimselfbehindintrenchmentsofcoloredworstedsandspoolsofcotton，fromwhichhewasonlydislodgedbyconcertedassault，andcarriedlamentingintocaptivity。Asubtleglamourcreptoverallwhocamewithinitsinfluence。Toapplyone’sselftoseriousworktherewasanabsurdity。Anincomingship，agleamonthewater，acloudlingeringaboutTamalpais，wereenoughtodistracttheattention。
　　Readingorwriting，thebay-windowwasalwaysshowingsomethingtobelookedat。Unfortunately，theseviewswerenotalwayspleasant，butthewindowgaveequalprominenceandimportancetoall，withoutrespecttoquality。
　　Thelandscapeinthevicinitywasunimproved，butnotrural。Theadjacentlotshadapparentlyjustgivenupbearingscrub-oaks，buthadnotseriouslytakentobricksandmortar。InonedirectionthevistawasclosedbytheHomeoftheInebriates，notinitselfacheerful-lookingbuilding，and，astheapparentterminusofarambleinacertaindirection，havingalltheeffectofamorallesson。Toacertainextent，however，thisbuildingwasanimposition。Theenthusiasticmembersofmyfamily，whoconfidentlyexpectedtoseeitsinmateshilariouslydisportingthemselvesatitswindowsinthedifferentstagesofinebriationportrayedbythelateW。E。Burton，weremuchdisappointed。TheHomewasreticentofitssecrets。TheCountyHospital，alsoinrangeofthebay-
　　window，showedmuchmoreanimation。Atcertainhoursofthedayconvalescentspassedinreviewbeforethewindowontheirwaytoanairing。Thisspectaclewasthestillmoredepressingfromasingularlackofsociabilitythatappearedtoprevailamongthem。
　　Eachmanwasencompassedbytheimpenetrableatmosphereofhisownpeculiarsuffering。Theydidnottalkorwalktogether。FromthewindowIhaveseenhalfadozensunningthemselvesagainstawallwithinafewfeetofeachother，toallappearanceutterlyobliviousofthefact。Hadtheybutquarrelledorfought，——
　　anythingwouldhavebeenbetterthanthishorribleapathy。
　　Thelowerendofthestreetonwhichthebay-windowwassituate，openedinvitinglyfromapopularthoroughfare；andafterbeckoningtheunwarystrangerintoitsrecesses，endedunexpectedlyatafrightfulprecipice。OnSundays，whenthetravelNorth-Beachwardswasconsiderable，thebay-windowdelightedinthespectacleaffordedbyunhappypedestrianswhowereseducedintotakingthisstreetasashort-cutsomewhereelse。Itwasamusingtonoticehowthesepeopleinvariably，oncomingtotheprecipice，glancedupwardtothebay-windowandendeavoredtoassumeacarelessairbeforetheyretracedtheirsteps，whistlingostentatiously，asiftheyhadpreviouslyknownallaboutit。Onehigh-spiritedyoungmaninparticular，beingincitedtheretobyapairofmischievousbrighteyesinanoppositewindow，actuallydescendedthisfearfulprecipiceratherthanreturn，tothegreatperiloflifeandlimb，andmanifestinjurytohisSundayclothes。
　　Dogs，goats，andhorsesconstitutedthefaunaofourneighborhood。
　　Possessingthelawlessfreedomoftheirnormalcondition，theystillevincedatenderattachmenttomanandhishabitations。
　　Spiritedsteedsgotupextemporeracesonthesidewalks，turningthestreetintoaminiatureCorso；dogswrangledintheareas；
　　whilefromthehillbesidethehouseagoatbrowsedpeacefullyuponmywife’sgeraniumsintheflower-potsofthesecond-storywindow。
　　"Wehadafinehail-stormlastnight，"remarkedanewlyarrivedneighbor，whohadjustmovedintotheadjoininghouse。Itwouldhavebeenapitytosethimright，ashewasquiteenthusiasticabouttheviewandthegeneralsanitaryqualificationsofthelocality。SoIdidn’ttellhimanythingaboutthegoatswhowereinthehabitofusinghishouseasastepping-stonetotheadjoininghill。