All this exhibition of wild animal life was, it must be remembered, within a few miles of the rich and populous city of San Francisco.  The transition was very great; yet but a short time back a rude fort and a few small huts were the only settled abodes of man.  The actual harbour begins at a spot called the Golden Gate, where a high rock with a flat summit projects into the water.  On it the American Government are constructing a fort, which no hostile vessel will be able to pass with impunity.  Passing this point, we saw before us on the right a perfect forest of masts, with every flag under the sun flying aloft; and behind them appeared, on a low hill rising like an amphitheatre from the harbour, the far-famed city itself.  It was a busy, exciting scene. Some of the vessels brought bands of English adventurers; others crowds of Chinese, with round felt hats and long tails; others Malays; and some even seemed to have blacks on board.  At a short distance from the city were moored several large ships, their masts struck, their rigging unrove, deserted by their crews, and some by their officers likewise. The doctor, Jerry, and I, were the only persons who accompanied the captain on shore.  The mates remained to guard against all risk of any of the crew deserting.  It was only just daylight when we landed, but all the world was astir.  Time is considered too precious here to lose a moment.  The town itself presented an extraordinary collection of strong contrasts: there were wooden sheds, and tents, and mud hovels, mixed up with vast stores and large dwelling-houses; while carts, and waggons, and coaches of every variety of build were moving about in all directions, among people from every part of Europe--Germans, Italians, French, Greeks, and English--the latter, of course, predominating as to numbers; Yankees, with their keen, intelligent looks; Californians, in their serapes; Mexicans, with their laced breeches and cuffs; and Chilians, in broad-brimmed hats; Sandwich Islanders, and Negroes from every part of Africa; Chinese, with their long tails and varied coloured robes; and Malays and other people from the East.  Indeed, Europe, Asia, Africa, and America were there fully represented,--all brought together for the one object--a search for gold--all thinking of their own business, and caring little or nothing for anybody else, so that their aims were not interfered with.  Those who had been to the diggings were pretty clearly to be distinguished by the one dark brown earthy hue which pervaded their dress, and such parts of their countenances as their huge tangled beards and whiskers allowed to be visible.