Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustrations. See 12911-h.htm or 12911-h.zip: (https://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/9/1/12911/12911-h/12911-h.htm) or (https://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/9/1/12911/12911-h.zip) A BACKWARD GLANCE AT EIGHTY Recollections & Comment by CHARLES A. MURDOCK Massachusetts 1841 Humboldt Bay 1855 San Francisco 1864 1921 [Illustration: A CAMERA GLANCE AT EIGHTY] THIS BOOK IS GRATEFULLY DEDICATED TO THE FRIENDS WHO INSPIRED IT CONTENTS CHAPTER I. NEW ENGLAND II. A HIDDEN HARBOR III. NINE YEARS NORTH IV. THE REAL BRET HARTE V. SAN FRANCISCO--THE SIXTIES VI. LATER SAN FRANCISCO VII. INCIDENTS IN PUBLIC SERVICE VIII. AN INVESTMENT IX. BY-PRODUCT X. CONCERNING PERSONS XI. OUTINGS XII. OCCASIONAL VERSE EPILOGUE ILLUSTRATIONS A CAMERA GLANCE AT EIGHTY HUMBOLDT BAY, WINSHIP MAP FRANCIS BRET HARTE (Saroney, 1874) THE CLAY-STREET OFFICE THE DAY AFTER THOMAS STARR KING (Original given Bret Harte) HORATIO STEBBINS, SAN FRANCISCO, 1864-1900 HORACE DAVIS, HARVARD IN 1836 OUTINGS: THE SIERRAS, HAWAII FOREWORD In the autumn of 1920 the Board of Directors of the Pacific Coast Conference of Unitarian Churches took note of the approaching eightieth birthday of Mr. Charles A. Murdock, of San Francisco. Recalling Mr. Murdock's active service of all good causes, and more particularly his devotion to the cause of liberal religion through a period of more than half a century, the board decided to recognize the anniversary, which fell on January 26, 1921, by securing the publication of a volume of Mr. Murdock's essays. A committee was appointed to carry out the project, composed of Rev. H.E.B. Speight (chairman), Rev. C.S.S. Dutton, and Rev. Earl M. Wilbur. The committee found a very ready response to its announcement of a subscription edition, and Mr. Murdock gave much time and thought to the preparation of material for the volume. "A Backward Glance at Eighty" is now issued with the knowledge that its appearance is eagerly awaited by all Mr. Murdock's friends and by a large number of others who welcome new light upon the life of an earlier generation of pioneers. The publication of the book is an affectionate tribute to a good citizen, a staunch friend, a humble Christian gentleman, and a fearless servant of Truth--Charles A. Murdock. MEMORIAL COMMITTEE. GENESIS