Crystal Chapel.
No language can suitably convey, nor any comparisons worthily suggest, the combined beauty and magnificence of this wonderful spot. "From the beginning," says Hutchings, "we have felt that we were almost presumptuous in attempting to portray these wonderful scenes, but, in hope of inducing others to see, with their natural eyes, the sights that we have seen, and enjoy the pleasure that we have enjoyed, we entered upon the task, even though inadequately, of giving an outline—nothing more. Here, however, we confess ourselves entirely at a loss.
"The sublime grandeur of this imposing sight fills the soul with astonishment that swells up from within as though its purpose was to make the beholder speechless, the language of silence being the most fitting and impressive when puny man treads the great halls of nature, the more surely to lead him, humbly, from these to the untold glory of the Infinite One who devised the laws, and superintended the processes that brought such wonders into being.
"After the mind seems prepared to examine this gorgeous spectacle somewhat in detail, we look upon the ceiling, if we may so speak, which is entirely covered with myriads of the most beautiful of stone icicles, long, large and brilliant; between these are squares or panels, the mullions and bars of which seem to be formed of diamonds; while the panels themselves resemble the frosting upon windows in the very depth of winter; and even those are of many colors, that most prevailing being of a light pinkish-cream. Moss, coral, floss, wool, trees, and many other forms, adorn the interstices between the larger of the stalactites. At the further end is one vast mass of rock, resembling congealed water, apparently formed into many folds and hillocks; in many instances connected by pillars with the roof above. Deep down and underneath this is the entrance by which we reached the chamber.
"At our right stands a large staglamite, dome-shaped at the top, and covered with beautifully undulating and wavy folds. Every imaginable gracefulness possible to the most curiously arranged drapery, is here visible, 'carved in alabaster' by the Great Architect of the universe. This is named 'The Pulpit.'
"In order to examine this object with more minuteness, a temporary platform has been erected, which, although detractive of the general effect, in our opinion, affords a nearer and better view of all these remarkable objects in detail.
"This spectacle, as well as the others, being brilliantly illuminated, the scene is very imposing, and reminds one of those highly-wrought pictures of the imagination, painted in such charming language and with such good effect in such works as the 'Arabian Nights.'
"Other apartments known as the 'Picture Gallery,' etc., might well detain us longer, but, as in many of their most important particulars, they bear a striking resemblance to those already described, we leave them for the tourist to examine for himself." If what we have said excites the desire of any tourist to visit this new combination of wonder and beauty, we are quite sure he will agree with us that the words of man utterly fail to adequately picture forth the works of God, and will ever after delight his soul with the life-long memory of his charming visit to the wonderful Alabaster Cave.
Tourist's Complete Guide
TO
San Francisco, Suburbs and Vicinity;
With Special Trips and Short Excursions in and about the City.
I. CITY PROPER.
| Sketch of the City—Historical, Topographical, General Plan, | [95]-[107] |
| Approaches to the City—From the east, by boat; from the south, by rail; from the ocean, by steamship, | [107]-[113] |
| Conveyances—Hacks, Coaches, Cars, Porters, Legal Rates, Caution, Baggage and Package Express, | [113]-[116] |
| Hotels—Grand, Occidental, Cosmopolitan, Lick House, Brooklyn, Russ House, American Exchange, Morton House, International, Hotel Gailhard, What Cheer, (males only), | [116]-[121] |
| Lodging Houses—Nucleus, Clarendon, | [121] |
| Restaurants—Saulman's, Swain's, Job's, Martin's, Lermitte's, | [121]-[122] |
| Baths—Fresh, Salt, Turkish, Russian, Roman, Steam and Vapor, | [122] |
| Places of Amusement—California, Metropolitan, Alhambra, Maguire's, and Chinese Theatres; Museums, Melodeons, Dance Halls, and Beer Cellars, | [122]-[125] |
| Halls—Platt's, Union, Pacific, Mercantile Library, Mechanic's Institute, Y. M. C. A., Mozart, Dashaway, | [125]-[126] |
| Billiards, Bowling Saloons and Shooting Galleries, | [127]-[128] |
| Gymnasiums—Olympic Club, Y. M. C. A., German Turn Verein, Skating Rinks, Base Ball Ground, | [128]-[130] |
| Gardens—Woodward's, City, | [130]-[140] |
| Menageries—Woodward's Zoological Grounds, North Beach, | [140] |
| Squares and Parks—Plaza, (Portsmouth Square), Washington Square, South Park, | [141] |
| Promenades—Montgomery Street, Kearny Street, California Street. Best Time, | [141]-[144] |
| Drives—Cliff House Road, Ocean House Road, Bay View, New Ocean Road, Best Time, | [145]-[148] |
| Libraries and Reading Rooms—Mercantile, Mechanic's Institute, Odd Fellow's, Pioneers, Y. M. C. A., What Cheer, Woodward's Gardens, | [148] |
| Public Buildings—Federal: Post Office, Custom House, Old Mint, New Mint, Marine Hospital. City and County: Old City Hall, New City Hall, Jail, Almshouse, Industrial School, Engine Houses, Engines. Corporation and Society Buildings: Pioneer's, Merchant's Exchange, Bank of California, Mercantile Library Building, Mechanic's Institute, Masonic Temple, Odd Fellow's Hall, Y. M. C. A. Building, Mechanics' Pavilion, | [148]-[157] |
| Business Buildings and Blocks—Alta California Building, Bancroft's, Donohoe, Kelly & Co., Harpending's Block, Murphy, Grant & Co., Tobin, Dixon & Davisson, Treadwell's, Tucker's, Wells, Fargo & C.'s Building, White House, | [157]-[159] |
| Manufactories—Kimball Car and Carriage Factory, Pacific Rolling Mills, Mission Woolen Mills, Foundries and Iron Works, Locomotives, Boilers, Mining Machinery, Shot Tower and Lead Works, Sugar Refinery, Glass Works, Ship Yards, | [159]-[161] |
| Churches—Baptist, Congregational, Episcopal, Jewish, Methodist, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, Swedenborgian, Unitarian, Chinese Mission House, Mariner's Church, Old Mission Church, | [161]-[167] |
| Hospitals and Asylums—City and County, French, German, Protestant Orphan, Roman Catholic Orphan, | [167]-[169] |
| Colleges—California Business University, City College, St. Ignatius', St. Mary's, Toland Medical, | [169]-[170] |
| School Buildings—Denman, Girl's High, Lincoln, Valencia Street, | [171]-[172] |
| Printing, Lithographing, Binding, and Blank Book Manufacturing Establishment, | [172]-[173] |
| Private Residences—Davis', Eldridges, Laidley's, Latham's, Bancroft's, Otis', Parrott's, Tallant's, Taylor's, Tobin's, | [174] |
| Points of Observation—Telegraph Hill, Russian Hill, Clay Street Hill, California Street Hill, Rincon Hill, Lone Mountain, Twin Peaks, Bernal Heights, U. S. Observatory. Views from each, | [174]-[184] |
| How to Get About—Horse Car Lines, Routes, Distances, Times, Fares, Buggies, Carriages, Coaches and Saddle Horses; qualities of, and charges for. Hacks, with rates of hire, | [184]-[188] |
II. SUBURBS AND VICINITY.
| Commencing at the foot of Market street, thence southward along or near the water front, continuing around the entire city and returning to the point of starting. Also, mentioning more distant points, visible to the spectator looking beyond the suburbs. | |
| Lumber Yards; Wharves and Merchant Fleet; California and Oregon S. S. Co.'s Wharves and Ships; Black Diamond Coal Co.'s Pier; Rincon Point; U. S. Marine Hospital; P. M. S. S. Co.'s Piers, Docks, Sheds and Ships; Gas Works; C. P. R. R. Co,'s Freight Pier, Depot and Boat; Mission Bay; Mission Rock; U. S. Ship Anchorage; Steamboat Reserves; Long Bridge; Yacht Club and Boat-house, with Yachts; Potrero; Glass Works; Pacific Rolling Mill; Deep Cut; Islais Creek and Bridge; Rope Walk; Italian Fishing Fleet and Flakes; Celestial Ditto; South San Francisco; Catholic Orphan Asylum; Hunter's Point; Dry Dock; Bay View Race Course; Visitacion Point and Valley; San Bruno Road; New Butchertown; Ocean House Road; Lake Honda; Almshouse; Small Pox Hospital; Ocean House Race Track; Lake Merced; Ocean House; Pacific Beach; Seal Rocks; Cliff House; Farallones; Point Lobos; Signal Station; Helmet Rock; Fort Point; Fort; Light-House; Golden Gate; Lime Point; Point Bonita; Mountain Lake; Lobos Creek; Presidio; Barracks; Parade Ground; Black Point; Pacific Woolen Mills; North Beach; Angel Island; Alcatraz; North Point; Sea Wall; Ferries, | [188]-[196] |
III. HOW TO SEE THE CITY.
Under this head we suggest:
Morning, or half-day excursions, in and about the city and its suburbs.
I. IN AND ABOUT THE CITY.
| 1. Montgomery Street, Telegraph Hill, North Beach, Washington Square, The Plaza, City Hall, Kearny street, | [197] |
| 2. Chinese Quarter, | [197] |
| 3. Third street, South Park, Long Bridge, Potrero, South San Francisco, Dry Dock, | [201] |
| 4. Water Front, (south), Stewart street, P. M. S. S. Co.'s Docks and Mammoth Steamships, Foundries, Factories, Shot Tower, | [202] |
| 5. Water Front, (north), Sea Wall, North Point, Warehouses and Clippers, Iron Ships, Bay and River Steamboats and Docks, | [202] |
| 6. Southwestern Suburbs, Mission street, Woodward's Gardens, Old Mission Church, Jewish Cemeteries, Woolen Mills, Howard street, | [202] |
| 7. Western Suburbs and Beyond Bush street, Laurel Hill, Lone Mountain Cemeteries, Cliff House Road, Race Track, Cliff House, Seal rocks, Pacific Beach, Ocean House, Road Track, Lake Honda, New Ocean Road, | [203] |
| 8. Northwestern Suburbs and Beyond: Russian Hill, Spring Valley, Fort Point, Fortress, Lighthouse, Golden Gate, Presidio, Black Point, | [203] |