Urban Sketches

"Urban Sketches" by Bret Harte is a series of funny stories that shows what life was like in San Francisco a long time ago. Through the author's funny way of looking at things, the book tells about interesting people, like a funny old man with a strange past, and strange things that happen in the city. One story introduces the "Venerable Impostor," an odd character who fascinates the narrator, who looks at the funny side of things. The narrator talks about meeting this person, who is both innocent and strange, making the narrator think about the past and notice the weird things in everyday life. Later, the book looks at life from a balcony, showing music, young love, and people hanging out together. Harte's cleverness and understanding of people make these stories entertaining and insightful, inviting readers into the fun atmosphere of old San Francisco.