TO CALIFORNIA. 281 



part they comprehended during the whole service* 

 Theorchestraconsistedofa violoncello, a violin, and 

 two flutes ; these instruments were played by little 

 half-naked Indians, and were very often out of 

 tune. From the church w^e went to dinner, where 

 there was abundance of dishes, and wine, which is 

 made by tlie missionaries themselves. After din- 

 ner they showed us the habitations of the Indians, 

 consisting of long, low houses, built of bricks, and 

 forming several streets. The uncleanliness in these 

 barracks baffles description, and this is perhaps tlie 

 cause of the great mortality ; for of a 1000 In- 

 dians at St. Francisco, 300 die every year. The 

 Indian girls, of whom 400 are in the mission, live 

 separate from the men, likewise in such barracks : 

 both sexes are obliged to labour hard. The men 

 cultivate the ground ; the harvest is delivered to tlie 

 missionaries, and stored in magazines; from which 

 the Indians receive only so much as is necessary 

 for their support. It serves also for the mainte- 

 nance of the soldiers of the Presidio ; but they are 

 obliged to pay a very high price for the flour. The 

 women spin wool, and weave a coarse stuff, which is 

 used partly for their ordinary clothing, and partly 

 exported to Mexico, and exchanged for other ne- 

 cessary goods. The costume of the Indians is 

 faithfully represented in the drawings made by 

 M. Choris. This being a holiday, the Indians 

 did no w^ork, but, divided into groups, amused 

 themselves with various pastimes, one of which 



