The whole scene is at once picturesque and animated and suggests great activity.

We must remember, however, that where now are these massive piers with their richly laden ships and noble argosies, as far back only as 1849 there were no stable docks, no properly constructed wharfs, no convenient landing places.
Here only were clay banks, which gave no promise of the great future with its commercial grandeur, and everything was insecure and unsatisfactory, especially in rainy weather, which began in November and continued with more or less interruption until April.

The new comer, not cautious to secure a sure footing would sometimes sink deep in the soft mud or even disappear in the spongy earth.

With the ships too came not only the gold-seekers from many lands, but rats also as if they had a right and title to the rising city.

These swarmed along the primitive wharfs, and at times they would invade the houses and tents of the people and go up on their beds or find a lodging-place in vessels and cup-boards.