CHAPTER I - FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO YOKOHAMA

Summary

I pass over, without remark, our pleasant Atlantic voyage, and our rapid run across the American continent, in which we saw just enough of that wonderful country to awaken the desire to see more. The only matter on which I would touch, as related to the errand on which we were going forth, is the short visit we paid to what is called China-town. In the State of California there is a Chinese population of 35,000, and of these more than 15,000 are resident in San Francisco. These are all huddled together in one quarter by themselves, and it is very difficult to understand how so many people can contrive to live in so small a space. This part of the city is so exclusively occupied by the Chinese, that as you walk through its streets, and see all the peculiarities of Chinese life about you, you can scarcely bring yourself to believe that you are not in a Chinese city. But there, side by side, Chinese and American life touch each other at many points, not intermingling, but each retaining all its characteristic differences.

We called at the head-quarters of the Episcopal Chinese Mission. The clergyman in charge was not at home, but we had a pleasant talk with the matron of a female school and home, which seems to be doing a good work among Chinese women and girls, in a quiet and unobtrusive way.