276 Beyond the Sien-as. 



large section of a Pacific storm. The waters, moreover, are not deep enough 

 for the best results as it respects ocean vessels. We did not run down at 

 first tn tlie ancient city, but stopped some two miles above, at the station 

 called Del Monte. The reason of the name Del Monte is not far to seek, for 

 yonder, at no great distance, on a beautiful plateau slightly raised above the 

 bay, is the great hotel from which the station has been named. There among 

 the trees crowned with the richest foliage, and approached by exquisite 

 winding drives rising to the acclivity, stjinds the great Del Monte herself. 

 Suffice it to say that as it respects the beauty of the grounds, the delirious, 

 balmy air, the shrubs and flowers— great roses putting the Marechal Neil to 

 shame, tulips and lilies and blooming plants unnamable — the really tall 

 trees that rise above it all, the lovely walks that wind among the hedges and 

 into the evergreen labyrinth on the margin of the lake beyond, this magnifi- 

 cent hotel by the bay of Monterey is one of the most admirably situated for 

 the comfort and pleasure of its occupants to be found not only in California, 

 but anywhere in the world. The hotel itself is a marvel without and within. 

 Rarely will you find such spacious halls and reception-rooms and parlors, and 

 such elegant chambers, in a building for the public. Everything, moreover, 

 is as quiet in these halls and about the premises as a summer day. True, 

 the dining-room, a magnificent apartment, has a capacity for about live 

 hundred guests at a sitting; but there isno twenty-minute business for dinner 

 about this. Gentlemen and ladies are these who sit down to lunches and din- 

 ners fit for a palace of royalty. I have neglected to say that we were brought 

 down to the Del Monte in charge of the accomplished Mr. Judah, one of the 

 managers of this part of the Southern Pacific system. Of course, our friend 

 Mr. J. B. Lauck, in whose charge we had been all the way from E\ Paso, was 

 still with us, and that by our own request; but Mr. Judah was responsible 

 for our comfort and pleasure on this part of our journey. In taking us to 

 the Del Monte to pass a single day as guests, he conferred a favor which will 

 not be forgotten. 



After a brief rest in the delightful grounds, we were taken up in a cav- 

 alcade of elegant carriages and driven around the bay. At the lower part 

 of the harbor we passed through that old and quaint city to which the Sj^an- 

 iards gave, aforetime, the name of King's Mountain, or Monterey. Here we 

 saw very many remembrances of the people and times by whom and in 

 which the city was planted. Many of the buildings are adobe. There is 

 nothing grand about the place, but it has its memories and traditions not a 

 few. Here where we pause on the corner are the old headquarters of that 

 gallant American squad of adventurers and heroes who wrested California 

 from the Spaniards. Here stands that memorable old llag-stall' from which 

 Sloat and Stockton and the still greater Pathfinder of the Rockies first floated 

 the stars and stripes in token of the new era of independence and political 

 freedom in the west. Yonder, on the summit, in plain view, are the ruins 

 of the fortification on whose walls the brave little cannon of this heroic band 

 were planted in that day. 



