IN A MISSION PATIO 



live, high-pitched song. Little do the birds know of the life 

 drama which has been enacted here — of the struggles and aspi- 

 rations of the Franciscans, of their marvelous success, of the 

 hosts of Indian converts laboring here, and then of the dissolu- 

 tion, decay, disintegration. Nature remains calm and serene 

 while principalities grow and crumble. She takes little account 

 of centuries, but sweeps onward through eons, slowly advanc- 

 ing with irresistible power. Yesterday a great mission estab- 

 lishment, and to-day a nesting-place for owls and swallows! 

 But the life of yesterday was in the darkness of vaulted cham- 

 bers, and the life of to-day is in the free air and sunshine of 

 heaven. 



[135] 



