t at his own
sweet will. This is exactly what he did; we did it ourselves, but we
didn't know why we did it. The others seemed to know all about it.

There was a long table in the centre of each room; it was always
surrounded by swarms of Chinamen. Not a few foreigners of various
nationalities were there. They were all intensely interested in some
game that was being played upon that table. We heard the "chink" of
money; and as the players came and went some were glad and some were sad
and some were mad. These were the gambling halls of Chinatown. They were
not at all beautiful or alluring to the eye, but they cast a spell over
the minds and the pockets of men that was irresistible. Nowadays the
place is kept under lock and key, and you must give the countersign or
you will be turned away from the door thereof by a Chinaman whose face
is the image of injured innocence.

The authors of the annals of San Francisco, 1854, say:

"During 1853, most of the moral, intellectual, and social
characteristics of the inhabitants of San Francisco were nearly as
already described in the reviews of previous years. There was still the
old reckless energy, the old love of pleasure, the fast making and fast
spending of money; the old hard labor and wild delights; jobberies,
official and political corruption; thefts, robberies, and violent
assaults; murders, duels and suicides; gambling, drinking, and general
extravagance and dissipation.... The people had wealth at command, and
all the passions of youth were burning within them; and they often,
therefore, outraged public decency. Yet somehow the oldest residenters
and the very family-men loved the place, with all its brave wickedness
and splendid folly."

I can testify that the town knew little or no change in the two years
that followed. The "El Dorado" on the plaza, and the "Arcade" and
"Polka" on Commercial Street, were still in full blast. How came I aware
of that fact? I was a child; my guide, philosopher and friend was a
child, and we were both as innocent as children should be. It is
written, "Children and fools speak the truth." I may add, "Children and
'fools rush in where angels fear to tread.'" The doors of "El Dorado,"
of the "Arcade," and the "Polka" were ever open to the public. We saw
from the sidewalk gaily-decorated interiors; we heard enchanting music,
and there seemed to be a vast deal of jollity within. No one tried to
prevent our entering; we merely followed the o