twelve
o'clock
`` If , '' he writes , `` California ever becomes a prosperous country , this -- San Francisco -- bay will be the centre of its prosperity . '' He died at Rome on January 7 , 1882 . _ I. -- Life on a Merchantman _ On August 14 the brig Pilgrim left Boston for a voyage round Cape Horn to the western coast of America . I made my appearance on board at twelve o'clock with an outfit for a two or three years ' voyage , which I had undertaken from a determination to cure , if possible , by an entire change of life , and by a long absence from books and study , a weakness of the eyes . The vessel got under way early in the afternoon . I joined the crew , and we hauled out into the stream , and came to anchor for the night . The next day we were employed in preparations for sea .