Chapter 15—The Exchange of San Francisco
The Exchange of San Francisco, by which term is expressed, as it were algebraically, immense industrial and commercial business, presents one of the strangest and most animated scenes in the world.
The geographical position of the capital of California imparts to its Exchange, as a natural consequence, the cosmopolitan character, which is one of its most remarkable features. Beneath its handsome red granite porticoes, the tall, fair Saxon jostles the slight, active dark-haired Celt. The n***o meets the Finlander and the Hindoo. The Polynesian gazes with astonishment at the Greenlander. The c******n, with oblique eyes and pigtail, endeavors to outdo in trade his historic enemy, the Japanese.
On the 12th of October this place of business opened in
